The Gila-Pinal Scenic Road was designated a scenic road on June 20, 1986, by the Arizona Department of Transportation. The route travels throughout the Sonoran Desert life zone at the desert floor and moves upward through four biotic communities. Evident in the higher elevated areas of the Pinal and Superstition Mountains is the Ponderosa Pine Forest. Riparian woodlands are found along the many features such as Queen Creek, Arnett Creek and Pinto Creek.