Stretches of this highway are known by various names, include Camp Verde Bridgeport Highway, General George Crook Trail, Zane Grey Highway, Camp Verde-Payson Highway, and White Mountain Road / Boulevard. The northernmost stretch between Cottonwood and Camp Verde was originally State Route 279, while the original stretch of road from Payson to Eagar was originally State Route 160.
SR 260 was scheduled in 1995, to be widened and upgraded between Payson and Heber-Overgaard to a four lane divided highway with bridges over wildlife corridors to reduce accidents with deer/elk and other wildlife. The road project has never been completed and is still two lanes over much of the route and is congested at times during holiday weekends with traffic from the Phoenix area to areas along the eastern Rim. Care must be observed due to narrow two lanes and wildlife crossing the road. It is also closed during winter storms because of its elevation changes between Payson and Show Low.
History
SR 260 was originally designated in 1955 as SR 160 from Payson to Show Low. In 1969, US 160 extended into Arizona so SR 160 was renumbered to SR 260 to avoid confusion. In 1972, it extended east to Eagar, replacing SR 173 and part of SR 73. On December 15, 1989, SR 260 extended west to Cottonwood over SR 279.
Arizona State Highway 260 winding its way through the Tonto Forest just below the Mogollon Rim.
