From the Desert to the Tall Pines Scenic Byway

Scenic Driving

From its southern terminus at State Highway 188 to the community of Young, this route is commonly known as the Young Highway, and is designated as State Highway 288. From Young to its northern terminus, the route is designated as Forest Road 512, and is often called the “Young-Heber Road." It traverses an area known for its beautiful scenery, significant historic and prehistoric values, and a characteristic flavor of the old west. Climbing from a low elevation of 2,100 feet (along the popular upper Salt River) to 7,600 feet on the abrupt Mogollon Rim, travelers experience a wide variety of fauna and flora from Sonoran Desert Scrub to Rocky Mountain Montane Conifer Forest. Diversity is also found in traditional modern lifestyles, motorized to primitive recreation, and Wilderness preservation to commodity production. A variety of developed campgrounds are also found in the high country along the route.