I read your article on driving the Apache Trail, and I agree most wholeheartedly that it is a drive that people from Phoenix, Arizona, or, like me, visitors to the state should not miss. I have to tell you however that I believe you missed a large portion of the trail after fish creek hill.

Apache Lake/Roosevelt Dam © Judy Hedding

When I drove the trail with my family, I did so in the morning, made all the stops along the way to fish creek hill, and took pictures, and then we discovered Apache Lake. It was just about noon, and I noticed the sign said food was available, and I drove down to the resort. We were pleasantly surprised! The food was very good, and at a very reasonable price. They had a daily special, that I was told was different every day. It turns out they also rent pontoon boats, and small fishing boats, and so I took my family out on the lake for a fabulous time. The employees told me about an abandoned hermits cave on the lake just west of the resort, and a cove further west near the top of the western dam (Horse-Mesa I think), that has a large shallow sand beach, and was a focal point for many of the boaters. We then headed East, past the resort and viewed Roosevelt dam from the water. It was awe inspired. By the time we went back to the resort, it was dinner time, so we stayed for dinner, and again it was magnificent. We watched the sun set on the patio behind the restaurant, behind a mountain they called Indian Head (I attached a picture of the mountain). Rather than drive out that night, we rented a motel room at a very reasonable rate. It was clean and comfortable. The next morning, we got up and again had a wonderful breakfast, grabbed some supplies from the grocery store, and started the drive toward Roosevelt dam. I must tell you that if I ever decide to make Arizona my state of residence, Apache Lake will be where I store my boat. The employees repeatedly told me that the people that stay at Apache Lake don’t like to tell anyone else because they want it all to themselves.

I would suggest, the next time you travel the Apache Trail, you make it a point to stop at Apache Lake and experience it for yourself.