Backroads of Arizona - Second Edition: Along the Byways to Breathtaking Landscapes and Quirky Small Towns

Explore the wide open spaces of Arizona with this guide to roads less traveled and awe-inspiring sights less seen.

Backroads of Arizona guides you into the heart of Arizona's sun-shiny beauty and fascinating history. In this thoroughly updated edition, you'll find twenty-five driving tours and adventures that take you off the beaten path to stunning landscapes and breathtakingly beautiful vistas. Marvel at the multicolored hues of the Painted Desert and the jaw-dropping majesty of the snowcapped San Francisco Peaks. Wander into a sky-high forest of regal ponderosa pines and quaking aspens near Flagstaff, scan the deep blue waters of Lake Havasu on the western border, and feel dwarfed by the incredible Grand Canyon. With scenic drives in all corners of the state, Backroads of Arizona offers insight into Arizona's rich history, from the Spanish conquistadors seeking the legendary cities of gold to the Wild West shootout at Tombstone's OK Corral.

Thanks to the maps and directions to the Grand Canyon State's unique scenic, historic, and cultural attractions, you can explore prehistoric cliff dwellings, hike to see a mountainside of cacti in bloom, or get your kicks on Route 66. This second edition includes new routes along timeless roads, with fresh images and pithy stories of what can be found along the way. Discover something off the beaten path, and make memories you'll never forget.

Jim Hinckley is the author of twenty books and hundreds of feature articles on Route 66, the American Southwest, and the American auto industry. He has been a featured speaker at European Route 66 festivals in Germany and the Czech Republic, and at events in the United States and Canada. Hinckley is a former associate editor for Cars & Parts, and currently writes a monthly feature for New Zealand-based MotoringNZ. He also assists with the creation of visitor guides for communities such as Tucumcari, New Mexico, and the development of historic district walking tours. Jim is the creator of the Jim Hinckley’s America network that includes a website (jimhinckleysamerica.com), social media, the weekly livestream Coffee with Jim program, a YouTube channel, and the Wake Up with Jim podcast. Linked with this are community education programs developed to foster an increased awareness of an area’s history and its role in the development of tourism as a component in economic development.

Kerrick James has been a professional photographer for more than twenty years. He specializes in travel imagery, and he is a regular contributor to Arizona Highways, Sunset, National Geographic Adventure, and Alaska Airlines Magazine. He lives in Mesa, Arizona.