Rim Road East follows Forest Road 300 along the edge of the Mogollon Rim in the Sitgreaves National Forest, tracing the boundary between high country pine forest and the drop into the White Mountain Apache Reservation. This segment runs east of Show Low through rolling ponderosa pine terrain with intermittent rim overlooks. The road surface is dirt and rock with erosion ruts in places, and while it stays passable for high clearance 2WD in dry conditions, most travelers run it in 4WD for the added confidence on loose or rutted sections.
Trail Summary
- Location: Near Show Low, Arizona - closest to US Highway 60 & Rim Road (FR 300)
- Distance: 18.8 miles
- Difficulty: Level 2 - Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
- Minimum Elevation: 6,282 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 7,037 ft
- Elevation Gain: 927 ft
- Travel Time: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
Difficulty
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
Stock equipment is sufficient, but the terrain will test tire traction and ground clearance in places. Expect dirt and rocky road with obstacles under 9 inches, such as embedded rock, dips, and erosion ruts. Grades are moderate with generally good traction, though sections can wash out after rain or snow. Roads are typically one to two vehicles wide with pull outs for passing.
Elevation
The route holds a fairly narrow elevation band, starting near 6,282 feet and topping out at 7,037 feet. Total climbing comes to roughly 927 feet of gain against 845 feet of loss, with a modest net change of about 82 feet from start to finish. Elevation changes come in short rolling sections rather than sustained climbs, matching the character of a rim shelf road that follows the contour of the escarpment rather than cutting straight across it.
Terrain
This is mountain shelf road country. The surface alternates between packed dirt, embedded rock, and washboard, with erosion ruts showing up more often here than on the smoother Rim Road West. Ponderosa pine covers most of the route, opening periodically at overlooks along the rim edge. The road narrows in sections to a single lane with defined pull outs, so travelers should be prepared to yield to oncoming traffic.
4WD Experience
A stock high clearance 4WD vehicle handles this route without difficulty in dry conditions. The erosion ruts and loose rock sections call for some attention to tire placement, but nothing here requires low range or specialized equipment. After rain or snowmelt, ruts can deepen and the clay-heavy sections get slick, which is where the extra traction of 4WD earns its keep over a 2WD rig.
Travel Time
The recorded track shows a moving time of 1 hour 12 minutes at highway-adjacent speeds. For a high clearance 4WD vehicle driving at a pace that accounts for erosion ruts, rock sections, and stops at overlooks, plan on 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours to cover the full 18.8 miles.
Highlights
The main draw here is the rim itself. Overlooks along the route open onto the Sitgreaves National Forest to the north and the White Mountain Apache Reservation to the south, with long sightlines across the forested drop below the escarpment. Wildlife is common along this stretch, including elk and mule deer, and black bear sign turns up occasionally. Dispersed campsites are scattered through the pines for those looking to turn the drive into an overnight.
Trail GPS File
Map