Location Details
The precise GPS coordinates for the historic Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins on Route 66 in Arizona are 35.1611, -111.2793
Location & Navigation Highlights
Freeway Exit: Located right off Interstate 40 at Exit 219.
Distance: Roughly 23 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona.
Access: Take Exit 219, head south, and immediately turn onto the old asphalt alignment of Route 66.
Current Site Status
Condition: The site is an abandoned, graffiti-covered ghost town.
The Arrows: Historically known for two 25-to-30-foot giant arrows.
Unfortunately, vandals burned one down, leaving only a single arrow standing as a roadside photo stop.
The Fading Feathers of the Mother Road: Twin Arrows Trading Post
Situated alongside the highway in Arizona, the Twin Arrows Trading Post is one of Route 66's most recognizable roadside ruins. Originally established around 1950, it first operated under the name Canyon Padre Trading Post. However, the stop truly gained its identity around 1954 when the owners renamed it "Twin Arrows"—a clever counterpart to the nearby "Two Guns" trading post. To ensure passing travelers wouldn't miss it, two massive, 25-foot-tall wooden arrows were planted squarely in the dirt parking lot to beckon weary drivers.
During its heyday, Twin Arrows was a bustling hub offering a gift shop, a gas station, and a classic, prefabricated Valentine diner for hungry motorists traversing the American Southwest. The unique location even captured the attention of Hollywood, appearing in a scene for the famous movie Forrest Gump. Yet, like many iconic businesses along the Mother Road, the arrival and expansion of Interstate 40 siphoned away crucial traffic and inevitably sealed its fate. Although the trading post managed to operate under various owners for a time, it finally closed its doors in the late 1990s.
Today, the abandoned site is a canvas of decay and graffiti, vividly captured in the photo above. While volunteers and members of the Hopi tribe made efforts to spruce up the towering wooden arrows in 2009, the derelict trading post buildings continue to crumble under the high desert sun. In recent years, one of the iconic arrows has even fallen, serving as a poignant reminder of the highway's vanishing Americana. Still, the weathered ruins command attention, beckoning modern explorers to pause and reflect on the golden age of the great American road trip.
This image was captured during an immersive 18-day photographic road trip dedicated to documenting the history, rust, and enduring charm of the highway's most iconic landmarks. The comprehensive collection is featured in the book Route 66. 100 Years - 100 Landmarks. The book is officially available for sale now—grab your copy today to explore the complete visual history of the Mother Road!
References
[1] Atlas Obscura: Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins in Flagstaff
[2] Never Quite Lost: Arrows of Time
[3] TheRoute-66.com: Twin Arrows, Route 66 Arizona
[4] Route 66 Road Relics: A Route 66 Travel Guide to Twin Arrows Arizona
[5] YouTube: Vanished Dreams at the Twin Arrows Trading Post
[6] City of Dust: The Best Little Stop on I-40: Twin Arrows, AZ