Location Details
The exact GPS coordinates for the center of the Two Guns ghost town along Route 66 in Arizona are 35.11778° N, 111.09361° W.
The site is located right off Interstate 40 at Exit 230, situated between Flagstaff and Winslow. Because the ghost town consists of multiple separate historic ruins spread over a small area, you can use these more specific coordinates to target individual points of interest:
Key Points of Interest Coordinates
The Mountain Lion Zoo Ruins: 35.11768° N, 111.09593° W — The famous stone structures and cages that housed animals during its tourist attraction heyday.
Historic Canyon Diablo Bridge: 35.11461° N, 111.09206° W — The old bridge structure that historically connected the original Route 66 alignment across the canyon.
Main Trading Post Area: 35.11541° N, 111.09097° W — The location of the iconic stone structures visible when first arriving at the site.
Echoes of the Wild West: The Ruins of Two Guns and Canyon Diablo Bridge
Two Guns, Arizona, is a ghost town that reads like a tragedy written into the high desert landscape. Positioned on the east rim of Canyon Diablo, it prospered as a bustling tourist stop along Route 66 for many years. However, long before passing motorists stopped for gas or a bite to eat, the area was recognized as a favorable place to cross the formidable, steep-sided canyon.
In 1915, the Canyon Diablo Bridge was opened to carry early automobile traffic, initially as part of the National Old Trails Road, and later U.S. Route 66 in 1926. Built by Thomas Haddock of Williams, Arizona, the reinforced concrete arch bridge replaced the winding paths that travelers previously used to traverse the usually dry riverbed. The bridge stands as a focal point in the photo above, now covered in vibrant graffiti that starkly contrasts with the crumbling stone ruins in the background.
The town itself blossomed into a notorious tourist trap under the eccentric leadership of Harry "Two Guns" Miller in the 1920s. Miller constructed a zoo with chicken-wire cages for mountain lions and other native animals, and he capitalized on tours of the local Apache Death Cave, where Navajo warriors allegedly killed a group of Apache years prior. In a macabre twist, he even saved and sold the skulls of the ill-fated Apache as souvenirs. Despite the boom in tourism, misfortune continually plagued Two Guns, including murders, fires, and animal maulings.
When a new, more direct bridge was built in 1938 and Interstate 40 eventually bypassed the settlement, the town suffered a quick decline. Today, Two Guns is an abandoned ghost town. Yet, the resilient Canyon Diablo Bridge and the surrounding ruins continue to draw modern explorers eager to glimpse the lawless and dramatic history of the Mother Road.
About the Project
The above is just one stop on 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
Legends of America: Two Guns, Arizona – Death By Highway
Atlas Obscura: Two Guns in Winslow
Bridges and Tunnels: Canyon Diablo Bridge
Exploring the Ghost Town of Two Guns and the Apache Death Cave