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Salt River Canyon: US-60, Salt River Canyon, Arizona
Photo: Alan Stark · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped

Drives Arizona The Mogollon Rim and White Mountains

Salt River Canyon: US-60

Salt River Canyon, Arizona · Globe → Show Low

Leisurely84 mi1 hr 30 min9,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,600 ftOne way
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The drive

US 60 north of Globe crosses San Carlos Apache land on open desert road, then reaches the lip of Salt River Canyon and drops about 2,000 feet in switchbacks to the river. A bridge crosses the Salt River at the bottom, with a rest area beside it. The road climbs out the far side and rolls on through pine forest to Show Low.

The canyon is the reason to go: the switchbacks, the river below, and the long views across the walls. The rest is a pleasant, easy highway through changing country, from desert to pines.

Along the way

  1. Globe
  2. Salt River Canyon bridge
  3. Show Low
Elevation
9,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,600 ft
GlobeShow Low
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
GlobeShow Low
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Rockslides have closed US 60 through the canyon in the past, so check Arizona 511 before you go, especially after heavy rain.
  • The canyon descent and climb are steep and winding; trucks and RVs slow the climb.
  • There's a rest area by the bridge at the bottom of the canyon.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Arizona 511 (ADOT).

Questions about this drive

How long does US 60 through Salt River Canyon take?

US 60 from Globe to Show Low through Salt River Canyon is 83.5 miles and takes about 1 hr 30 min.

How twisty is the Salt River Canyon drive?

Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch: the switchbacks that drop about 2,000 feet to the Salt River bridge and climb out the other side.

Is there a rest area at Salt River Canyon?

Yes, there's a rest area by the Salt River bridge at the bottom of the canyon.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Salt River Canyon: US-60, from Globe to Show Low