- Attraction: Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins
- Location: I-40 Exit 219, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
- Industry: Historic Site
- Website: Roadside America – Twin Arrows
Standing sentinel in the Arizona desert for over 70 years, the giant yellow arrows that gave Twin Arrows Trading Post its name have become one of Route 66’s most haunting and photographed landmarks.
What began as Canyon Padre Trading Post in the late 1940s transformed into a beacon of hope and hospitality for countless travelers along America’s Mother Road, only to become a poignant symbol of how progress can leave beloved places behind.
Today, these weathered ruins tell the story of Route 66’s golden age and its inevitable decline, offering visitors a powerful connection to the dreams, struggles, and resilience of roadside America.
Iconic Route 66 History
Original Mother Road Magic: You’ll discover how this site exemplified the classic Route 66 experience that made cross-country travel an adventure rather than just transportation.
The trading post served as a vital oasis where travelers could refuel their cars, fill their stomachs, and share stories with fellow road warriors crossing the American West.
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Keep Exploring →The Famous Arrows: Originally, you would have seen two massive 25-foot wooden arrows piercing the desert sky, instantly recognizable landmarks that guided weary motorists to this desert refuge.
These telephone pole arrows became one of the most photographed Route 66 attractions, appearing in countless travel guides and road trip memories from the 1950s through 1990s.
Valentine Diner Experience: Inside the trading post, you can still glimpse remnants of the classic Valentine diner, a prefabricated restaurant style popular along highways in the mid-20th century.
These diners brought standardized comfort food and familiar hospitality to travelers far from home, creating a sense of consistency across the vast American landscape.
Multi-Generation Operation: The Troxell family operated this beloved stop from 1955 to 1985, with Jean Troxell commuting daily from Flagstaff while her parents managed day-to-day operations.
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Discover MoreThis family dedication created the personal touch that made Twin Arrows feel like visiting relatives rather than just another commercial stop.
Atmospheric Ruins Exploration
Architectural Remains: You’ll explore the surprisingly intact Valentine diner structure, where original fixtures, the brick fireplace, and kitchen equipment remain visible despite decades of abandonment.
The building’s 1950s design elements offer tangible connections to the era when chrome, neon, and atomic-age optimism defined American highway culture.
Desert Reclamation: Walking through the ruins, you’ll witness how the Sonoran Desert gradually reclaims human structures, with native plants growing through cracked asphalt and wildlife making homes in abandoned buildings.
This natural process creates a haunting beauty that speaks to the temporary nature of human endeavors.
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Keep Exploring →Graffiti Art Gallery: While purists lament the vandalism, you’ll find that decades of graffiti have transformed these ruins into an evolving outdoor art gallery.
The layers of tags, artwork, and messages create an unexpected chronicle of who continues to visit this forgotten place and why it still matters to them.
Photography Paradise: The contrast between weathered ruins and dramatic desert landscapes provides exceptional photographic opportunities, especially during golden hour when warm light illuminates the remaining arrow and building facades against distant mountain silhouettes.
Cultural Impact & Legacy
Movie Fame: You’ll stand where scenes from “Forrest Gump” were filmed, adding Hollywood glamour to this site’s already impressive cultural resume.
The trading post’s appearance in this beloved film introduced Twin Arrows to millions who might never have known about Route 66’s roadside attractions.
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Discover MoreRestoration Efforts: In 2009, you witnessed a remarkable community effort when volunteers and the Hopi tribe restored the deteriorating arrows to their former glory, demonstrating how deeply these landmarks remain embedded in local and Route 66 enthusiast hearts.
Route 66 Pilgrimage: You’ll join thousands of annual visitors who make pilgrimages to sites like Twin Arrows as part of their Route 66 journeys, seeking authentic connections to America’s highway heritage.
These ruins serve as meditation points where visitors reflect on change, progress, and the dreams that built and abandoned this place.
Symbol of Economic Transition: The site powerfully illustrates how Interstate 40’s completion in the 1970s fundamentally changed American travel patterns, shifting commerce away from small communities and family-owned businesses toward corporate highway stops designed for speed rather than experience.
Visiting Practical Information
Easy Access: You’ll find the ruins easily accessible from I-40 Exit 219, with the site located just off the frontage road that follows the original Route 66 alignment. A concrete barrier blocks direct access, but parking areas allow safe visits without trespassing concerns.
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Keep Exploring →Current Condition: As of 2025, only one of the original twin arrows remains standing, with the second having fallen sometime between 2022 and the present.
Photography Guidelines: The site sits on Arizona State Trust Land, technically requiring permits for access, though enforcement appears minimal for casual visitors. Respectful photography and exploration are generally tolerated, but you should avoid vandalism or removing artifacts.
Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins
📍 I-40 Exit 219, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
