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The Agua Fria River is an approximately 120-mile (190 km) long intermittent stream in the U.S. state of Arizona. It originates in the mountains about 20 miles (32 km) east-northeast of Prescott and generally flows south through central Arizona. Because it is an intermittent river, sections of the channel may run dry during parts of the year, with water flowing mainly after seasonal rains or snowmelt.

As it travels southward, the river passes through rugged desert and canyon landscapes before entering the Agua Fria National Monument, a region known for its scenic mesas, archaeological sites, and desert ecosystems. The river continues through the Agua Fria River Valley and eventually flows into Lake Pleasant, a reservoir created by the New Waddell Dam. Water stored in Lake Pleasant is an important source for irrigation and municipal supply in central Arizona.

The watershed of the Agua Fria River supports a variety of desert plants and wildlife typical of the Sonoran Desert region. Cottonwood trees, mesquite, and desert shrubs grow along the riverbanks, providing habitat for birds, reptiles, and mammals. Historically, the river valley was used by Indigenous peoples, and many petroglyphs, ruins, and artifacts found within the Agua Fria National Monument reflect long periods of human habitation in the area. Today, the river corridor is valued for recreation, wildlife habitat, and its cultural and natural history within central Arizona.

U.S. Route 66, also known as U.S. Highway 66, US 66, or simply Route 66, was one of the original highways established in the United States Numbered Highway System in 1926. It became one of the most famous roads in American history, stretching approximately 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) from Chicago to Santa Monica. The highway passed through eight states—Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California—connecting small rural towns with larger urban centers and serving as a major route for westward migration, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

Route 66 played a significant role in the economic development of the communities along its path. It supported the growth of roadside businesses such as motels, diners, gas stations, and tourist attractions, many of which became cultural icons. During World War II, the highway was also important for military transportation and the movement of materials. In the postwar years, it symbolized freedom and mobility, earning the nickname “The Main Street of America” and later “The Mother Road,” a term popularized by John Steinbeck in his 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath.
With the expansion of the Interstate Highway System beginning in the 1950s, Route 66 was gradually replaced by faster, limited-access highways. It was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985.

Despite its decommissioning, much of the original roadway still exists, and preservation efforts have led to its designation in many areas as Historic Route 66. Today, it remains a powerful symbol of American travel, nostalgia, and popular culture, attracting visitors from around the world.