Alpine Arizona Guidebook
Food scene
The oldest and best character in a cafe. Our go to place for eating out. They make the best pies around!
9 locals recommend
Bear Wallow Cafe
42650 US-180The oldest and best character in a cafe. Our go to place for eating out. They make the best pies around!
Has a connected bar where sometimes the food is served. They also have ice cream by the scoop.
6 locals recommend
Alpine Grill & Still
42649 US-180Has a connected bar where sometimes the food is served. They also have ice cream by the scoop.
Probably the most popular place in town. Can eat outdoors and they often have a band playing music. They may charge a cover fee. Expect larger crowds and slower service. They make great pizzas that can be ordered for takeout.
8 locals recommend
Foxfire at Alpine
42661 US-180Probably the most popular place in town. Can eat outdoors and they often have a band playing music. They may charge a cover fee. Expect larger crowds and slower service. They make great pizzas that can be ordered for takeout.
Although its a few miles away in Nutrioso its usually not too crowded allowing you to score a table on the patio. This is a pub serving a variety of beers and some Irish appetizers. Although no full main dishes, we can fill up on the appetizers and enjoy the mountain air. Their appetizer menu alternates but we have never been dissapointed.
Mulloy's Public House
41633 U.S. 180Although its a few miles away in Nutrioso its usually not too crowded allowing you to score a table on the patio. This is a pub serving a variety of beers and some Irish appetizers. Although no full main dishes, we can fill up on the appetizers and enjoy the mountain air. Their appetizer menu alternates but we have never been dissapointed.
The Wild Onion Cafe is a small food truck open Saturdays, Sundays and Monday located across from the fire station. Tell Byron and Kathy, the Hancocks sent you. We love their fish and shrimp combo and the Cowboy PoBoy. Just good tasting food you can eat on their one picnic table or bring back home to enjoy on the cottage deck. They take cash and credit cards now. If they aren't too busy, Byron always has a story to tell if you get him going. He's also an expert on mushrooms and other edible plants in the area. Very friendly and nice people with good tasting food.
6 locals recommend
Alpine
The Wild Onion Cafe is a small food truck open Saturdays, Sundays and Monday located across from the fire station. Tell Byron and Kathy, the Hancocks sent you. We love their fish and shrimp combo and the Cowboy PoBoy. Just good tasting food you can eat on their one picnic table or bring back home to enjoy on the cottage deck. They take cash and credit cards now. If they aren't too busy, Byron always has a story to tell if you get him going. He's also an expert on mushrooms and other edible plants in the area. Very friendly and nice people with good tasting food.
Groceries
Great little country store where you can buy most staples. They also have an ice cream counter and make custom sandwiches. Part of the store is dedicated to souvenirs and camping gear. You haven't been to Alpine if you haven't stopped by the Alpine Country Store!
Alpine Country Store
42651 U.S. 180Great little country store where you can buy most staples. They also have an ice cream counter and make custom sandwiches. Part of the store is dedicated to souvenirs and camping gear. You haven't been to Alpine if you haven't stopped by the Alpine Country Store!
This is the one and only gas station in town. They also can refill propane tanks. They offer a good variety of fishing supplies with some snacks foods as well. Kind of like a country Circle K!
Tackle Shop
U.S. 191This is the one and only gas station in town. They also can refill propane tanks. They offer a good variety of fishing supplies with some snacks foods as well. Kind of like a country Circle K!
Full grocery store 30 miles before Alpine. Great place to stock up on all your supplies before settling in. If you prefer Basha's there is one of those too another mile down the road in Eagar.
7 locals recommend
Safeway
203 S Mountain AveFull grocery store 30 miles before Alpine. Great place to stock up on all your supplies before settling in. If you prefer Basha's there is one of those too another mile down the road in Eagar.
Sightseeing
Small lake on the Eastern end of the valley. There is a tackle shop where you can buy fishing supplies as well as rent kayaks and boats.
Luna Lake
Small lake on the Eastern end of the valley. There is a tackle shop where you can buy fishing supplies as well as rent kayaks and boats.
Great place to take the family for a picnic or do some stream fishing. If you just want to sightsee it makes for a great trip. Wildlife including Big Horn Sheep, Deer, Elk, Turkey and more are often seen travelling to the river.
East Fork Black River
Great place to take the family for a picnic or do some stream fishing. If you just want to sightsee it makes for a great trip. Wildlife including Big Horn Sheep, Deer, Elk, Turkey and more are often seen travelling to the river.
Nice quiet small lake not far from Hancock Hollow. Great place to just hang out if you aren't into fishing. Usually not many people here. Can also be combined into a trip to the top of the Escudilla where you can hike to the lookout tower or take a bumpy ride around the Terry Flat Loop where large herds of elk are often seen. There are still beautiful views even though this part of the mountain was hit hard by the Wallow Fire of 2011.
Hulsey Lake
Nice quiet small lake not far from Hancock Hollow. Great place to just hang out if you aren't into fishing. Usually not many people here. Can also be combined into a trip to the top of the Escudilla where you can hike to the lookout tower or take a bumpy ride around the Terry Flat Loop where large herds of elk are often seen. There are still beautiful views even though this part of the mountain was hit hard by the Wallow Fire of 2011.
Hit hard by the Wallow Fire but there are still some great views to behold on the drive to the top. Stop at the Escudilla Lookout trail and hike up the moderately difficult trail to the tower. Or, go halfway to Profanity Ridge (you'll understand why it's called this) and look for wildlife. Or if you have little ones or feeble knees just hike the first quarter mile through the dense aspen grove admiring the beauty.
Escudilla Mountain
Hit hard by the Wallow Fire but there are still some great views to behold on the drive to the top. Stop at the Escudilla Lookout trail and hike up the moderately difficult trail to the tower. Or, go halfway to Profanity Ridge (you'll understand why it's called this) and look for wildlife. Or if you have little ones or feeble knees just hike the first quarter mile through the dense aspen grove admiring the beauty.
A popular place to camp and fish is at and near Big Lake. Within a 30 minute drive along a beautiful winding paved road, it's worth the drive. For a full day of sightseeing, take this route and come back through Three Forks, down in the East Fork and on to Hannagan Meadow.
47 locals recommend
Big Lake
A popular place to camp and fish is at and near Big Lake. Within a 30 minute drive along a beautiful winding paved road, it's worth the drive. For a full day of sightseeing, take this route and come back through Three Forks, down in the East Fork and on to Hannagan Meadow.
Golfing
If you enjoy golfing, check out Alpine's Country Club across from Luna Lake. Although it once had 18 holes, the front nine are all that are playable. Nice cool golfing where the ball sails through the thin air. Find some old used clubs in the carport if you want to save some money instead of renting. Call for a tee time.
Alpine Country CLub Tank
If you enjoy golfing, check out Alpine's Country Club across from Luna Lake. Although it once had 18 holes, the front nine are all that are playable. Nice cool golfing where the ball sails through the thin air. Find some old used clubs in the carport if you want to save some money instead of renting. Call for a tee time.
City/Town Information
The attraction to this little "town" located about 30 minutes away is the secluded feeling along the old Route 666 (now 191). Popular for camping, hiking and horseback riding. Reachable along the highway direct from Alpine or along a dirt road from the East Fork of the Black River if you want to make a day trip loop.
Hannagan Meadow
The attraction to this little "town" located about 30 minutes away is the secluded feeling along the old Route 666 (now 191). Popular for camping, hiking and horseback riding. Reachable along the highway direct from Alpine or along a dirt road from the East Fork of the Black River if you want to make a day trip loop.
Library
Just want to relax and read a good book? The Alpine Public Library offers over 10,000 volumes, a reference section, DVDs, CD audio books, and a large print section. Fax services are available, year-round programs are offered for all age groups, and ten computers with DSL Internet access are available.
Alpine Public Library
17 County Road 2037Just want to relax and read a good book? The Alpine Public Library offers over 10,000 volumes, a reference section, DVDs, CD audio books, and a large print section. Fax services are available, year-round programs are offered for all age groups, and ten computers with DSL Internet access are available.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Take advantage of backdoor hiking
There are a few places to hike right out the back door. Our favorite is to "Chalk Ridge" where there are spectacular views. This hike can be split half way with a beautiful view of the ridgeline or for the more energetic, go all the way where you will find a park bench at the top to rest your feet and admire the awesome view. Ask us for details on all the options and directions.
Ways to save
Supplies and Topping Off
We always recommend supporting the local businesses here in Alpine but sometimes it just makes sense to get your groceries at the last full grocery store (Safeway or Bashas) or to top off your fuel in Springerville before making the last 30 mile drive to Alpine. This insures you have the best variety and lower prices but above all this provides that extra bit of relaxation knowing you aren't low on fuel or supplies before starting your vacation.
Getting around
Get off the beaten path!
Whether you come in a small car, big truck or an offroad vehicle, there are many roads off the main path that are worth exploring. Many roads are suited for small cars but some require trucks or offroad vehicles. There are also many hiking trails or just the wide open forest where you can go for hike or walk. We've been on many if not most of the roads, paved, dirt and unmapped in the area and can offer advice on where to go. Just get off the beaten path and go somewhere new!
Don't miss
Be alert and look for wildlife!
It is rare that you don't see some form of wildlife along the way to Alpine. Most common are elk that roam in small to large herds. Deer and coyote are also common. If you are lucky you will see antelope, big horn sheep, bear, mountain lion, wild turkey, or a Mexican Gray Wolf. Be extra careful if travelling at night as these animals will often be on the highways. One of our favorite activities is to take a high powered flash light or spot light and drive around at dusk admiring the wildlife. If you look you will see wildlife.
Getting around
Wheeling?
As "Jeep" people will say, if you like "wheeling" then Alpine is a great place for some great side trips. Let us know what type of off roading adventures you like, and we can recommend some locations to experience.