See a giant cactus-strewn desert, a prisoner outlet store, and don’t forget to visit the River Bottom Saloon.
Think of the American Southwest and you’re likely to imagine the cactus-strewn beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Seeing it on a picture postcard is one thing; going through it with a leisurely desert drive is quite another. Thirty minutes east of Phoenix is Route 79, a sun-bleached length of two-lane blacktop that links Florence Junction to Tucson. The 74-mile long route is lightly traveled, flanked by heat-ravaged countryside dotted to the horizon with giant saguaro cactus.
The town of Florence, halfway between Tucson and Phoenix, is the last place to offer hometown amenities before venturing onto the desolate freeway. Be sure to inspect your gas gauge before leaving the city limits–there won’t be a gas station or convenience store for the next 45 miles. Although Florence is a quiet burg, its main thoroughfare depicts some of life’s reality more harsh than its desert surroundings. At the intersection of Butte Avenue and Route 79 is the Arizona State Prison Complex, a sprawling mass of buildings that house five correctional facilities. Hardened types from as far away as Alaska are transported here. Across from the prison, on Butte Avenue, is the Prisoner Outlet Store–a retail shop for those travelers seeking that “unique” or “one of a kind” gift. Traveling down Route 79, you pass the River Bottom Saloon and the Arizona National Guard Training Range, a local watering hole at the edge of the now dry Gila River. With the glitzy sparkle of the prison’s sunlit barbed wire still noticeable in your rearview mirror, head south out of town into the Sonoran where the arms of the saguaro cactus embrace you for 45 miles on your driving journey toward Tucson.
A lot of wayside areas are along the road, including one dedicated to the early cowboy film star Tom Mix. These places make for an adventuresome picnic stop, but like the desert itself, lack water and the usual creature comforts. Cabanas and picnic tables are provided; tree shade is not. Driving the old two-lane to where it separates at Oracle for Tucson takes you into the desert, not past it. The beauty of Route 79 is its slow pace, where one can absorb the majesty of Sonoran Desert.
Starting Point:
Phoenix, AZ
Distance of Drive:
137 miles
Must Eat:
Diego’s Mexican Restaurant
620 East Queen Valley Drive, Apache Junction, AZ 85218
Phone: 520-463-2225
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Perfect Time of Year for Drive:
Winter, spring and fall
Points of Interest on Drive:
McFarland State Historical Park/Museum
Tom Mix Monument
My Office–Rustic saloon established in the 1800s. Original mural painted on interior walls. Bar came from South America.
Old Capitol Building–the original Capitol Building for the state of Arizona
Taxidermy animal highlights.
Tagged with: Arizona • best time:summer and fall • desert
Filed under: Best Road Trips