
Visitors can reach Tortilla Flat by staying on SR 88 as it winds past Canyon Lake. Tortilla Flat is located on the eastern edge of Canyon Lake which draws from the campers, bikers, hikers, swimmers, boaters and folks who want to explore all of the outdoor offerings of the East Valley. While the stagecoach days are over, what is left is a settlement that has transitioned into the perfect getaway destination for food, fun, history, and a reprieve from daily life.

However, it still offers a lot of history and should be a stop while visiting Canyon Lake. This community was never truly abandoned, so Tortilla Flat is not really a ghost town. Tortilla Flat is a recognized town with a population of six and an official United States Post Office, but in its heyday, the town boasted nearly 100 people. How Many People Live in Tortilla Flat, AZ? Due to its unique location, Tortilla Flat is a great respite spot for those experiencing Superstition Mountains. This stagecoach stop also became a destination for local settlers moving into the valley as it was a natural low spot and passthrough within the Superstition Mountains. Tortilla Flat was once a stagecoach stop on the historic Apache Trail where miners, settlers, and travelers would resupply and let their animals rest as they continued on their journey west. Tortilla Flat is a one-of-a-kind destination that is both living historical town and wild west destination. Be sure to keep an eye out for a future blog on things to do on the historic Apache Trail which is also known as SR 88. Today, Tortilla Flat is a very worthwhile trip on the Apache Trail to escape the hustle and bustle of the Phoenix metro area and to experience the road of early settlers. Tortilla Flat is not a far hike from Apache Junction and is a place that can truly be a claim of “where it all began for modern-day Arizona”.

On this latest Adventure of Backpack Pat, we will go on a small journey that is the perfect day trip on the Apache Trail for folks in the Phoenix metro area. Tortilla Flat: A Place Nestled in History, Natural Beauty, and Splendor
