Best Motorcycle Rides in Utah

With five national parks, six national forests, and dozens of state parks, Utah has some of the most diverse and breathtaking scenery in the United States. The northern portion of the state is home to towering mountains and pine forests, while Southern Utah boasts magnificent red rock vistas and desert landscapes.

With so much to see, there can be no doubt that Utah is one of the best places for motorcycle riding in America. Read below to find our favorite motorcycle routes in the Beehive State.

Highway 9 Through Zion National Park

Known for towering rock formations carved by the Virgin River over millions of years, Zion National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the country. Located in the southwest corner of the state, Zion is known for great hikes, gorgeous scenery, and abundant wildlife.

Starting in the small town of La Verkin, motorcyclists can take State Route 9 east, climbing and twisting for a short distance until the land opens up and you can see for miles in every direction. The road gradually drops into Zion Canyon, first passing through the towns of Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale. 

Once you hit the park, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most famous scenery in the United States. Stay left at the canyon junction to climb switchbacks through the south end of the park, then travel through a mile-long tunnel carved into the rock. After a few miles, you’ll hit the east entrance to the park. Continue 20 more miles through the high desert scenery until Mt. Carmel Junction.

The total distance one-way is 45 miles. From Mt. Carmel Junction, you can choose to head back the way you came, or take Hwy 89 north and hit Bryce Canyon National Park. We recommend spending some time in and around Zion, though. There are several short, easy hikes in the park that you can do in less than two hours. Don’t forget to grab lunch in Springdale—we recommend Oscar’s.

Note: Zion National Park is closed to private vehicles from March-November, so take this ride during the off-season. Southern Utah often reaches highs of 50-60 degrees in the winter months, so it’s not too cold to ride.

Nebo Loop Road

If you favor rides that feature forests, mountains, and lakes, look no further than Nebo Loop. This twisty, 43-mile mountain road starts in the city of Payson and ends in the small town of Nephi, with easy access to Interstate 15 on both ends. During the ride, you’ll climb as high as 9,400 feet above sea level before descending back down to about 5,000 feet.

This road traverses the Wasatch mountain range, winding through evergreen forests and meadows that fill with wildflowers in the spring and summer months. Along the way, you’ll pass the Payson Lakes, where there are opportunities to stop and enjoy nature walks or picnics.

At the top of the ride, you’ll be above the treeline—bring warm clothes, even in the summer months. Stay alert, as there are several hairpin turns and blind corners where you’ll need to watch for livestock, wildlife, and other people.

You can start this ride in either Payson or Nephi, as the total elevation gain and loss will be similar in either direction. While you’re in Payson, consider driving a few miles north to visit the Timpanogos Harley-Davidson location in Lindon. It’s a three-story, 60,000-square-foot building with a restaurant and vintage motorcycles on display. They host a variety of events throughout the year.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

This national monument covers nearly two million acres of south-central Utah, so you won’t be able to tour it all from your bike. Even so, the area is home to some of the greatest motorcycle roads in the state. 

The Grand Staircase refers to layers of sedimentary rock that appear to form giant “steps” in the landscape. Bryce Canyon National Park stands near the top of the staircase, while the Grand Canyon sits at the bottom.

The tiny town of Torrey is located at the north end of the monument, and it’s a great place to start a scenic drive. Torrey is less than 10 miles from the entrance to Capitol Reef National Park

From Torrey, there are several opportunities for great riding. One favorite ride stretches over 100 miles of westbound Hwy 12 all the way to Panguitch, Utah. This route travels through some of the most breathtaking landscapes Utah has to offer. You will see rock formations of all kinds and colors, along with the pines and aspens of Dixie National Forest. 

If you want to take a little detour while on this route, you can swing into Bryce Canyon for even more stunning views—massive red rock canyons of spires (known as hoodoos) make up this picturesque landscape. Don’t miss Red Canyon just east of the junction of Hwy 12 and US-89.

Logan Canyon

The road through Logan Canyon is home to sweeping curves and imposing cliffs. This roughly 35-mile ride is best taken in summer or fall, when roads are dry and the flora is at its most beautiful. 

Logan is a college town in northern Utah with fun local eats and historic buildings. From Logan, hop on US-89 North (also known as Logan Canyon Road). Along the way, there are a number of picnic areas, hiking trails, and views of Logan River.

Once you come out of the canyon, you’ll descend into Garden City, which is home to Bear Lake, a natural freshwater lake that straddles the Utah-Idaho border. The water is stunningly blue, thanks to high levels of calcium carbonate. Stop at one of the numerous family-owned burger joints for a famous Bear Lake raspberry shake.

While this ride is relatively short, it’s fun and scenic, with lots to do on either end. It would make a great day trip from Salt Lake City.

Provo Canyon to Park City

The city of Provo sits at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. Park City, famous for its ski slopes and the Sundance Film Festival, is just an hour’s ride away by way of Provo Canyon (US-189).

On this 45-mile ride, you’ll enjoy twists and turns, along with significant changes in elevation. Along the way, you can stop to see the Provo River, Bridal Veil Falls, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Jordanelle State Park. You’’ll also pass through Heber City, a quaint town with easy access to hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. 

You have the option to turn this into a longer ride by connecting it to the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. This road starts in Kamas, Utah, about 15 miles east of Park City via UT-248. From Kamas, hop on Rte 150—you can travel on this road all the way to Evanston, Wyoming. This route climbs above 10,000 feet in elevation, so be ready for cold temperatures and glorious valley views.

Whether you stick to Highway 189 or extend your ride, you’ll be treated to twisties, climbs, and descents, all while enjoying the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains. Take this route in the summer or early fall, as heavy snow can make the roads treacherous in the winter.

Arches National Park Loop

Arches National Park is likely Utah’s second-most-famous park, thanks to Delicate Arch. Whether or not you knew this sandstone arch’s name, you’ve almost certainly seen it before—its likeness can be seen on the Utah license plate.

Arches is found just outside the town of Moab in eastern Utah. Starting in Moab, head north on US-191. You won’t make it far before you hit the entrance to the park on your right. You can stop at the visitor’s center before continuing along Arches National Park Road. This route is twisty with dozens of opportunities for sightseeing and pictures. You’ll be able to see the La Sal Mountains, colorful layers of sandstone, natural bridges and arches, and other unique rock formations.

There are trailheads for Delicate Arch and other hikes along the way. If hiking isn’t your thing, continue on the road until you hit the Devil’s Garden Trailhead. Here, you’ll turn around and head back the way you came. Once you get back to Highway 191, turn right and keep going along the loop. Along 191, you’ll have the chance to see dinosaur tracks and other points of interest.

When you meet up with I-70, head east for roughly 25 miles. You’ll exit I-70 at exit 204 toward Cisco. Here, you’ll hit Scenic Highway 128, where you’ll ride along the Colorado River until you reach Moab again.

This entire loop is roughly 150 miles and will take 3-4 hours, depending on how busy the park is. The winters in this area are usually mild, so it’s a good idea to go in the off-season to avoid the crowds.

Big Cottonwood Canyon to Pine Canyon Road

About 15 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City sits the entrance to Big Cottonwood Canyon. Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are home to several ski resorts, which makes traffic in the canyons nearly unbearable in the winter. 

In the summers, the roads clear out a bit and the drive becomes much more pleasant. There are still plenty of people out and about—the canyons have hiking trails, campgrounds, and river access—but you’re unlikely to find yourself at a standstill.

For the most part, the ride through Big Cottonwood Canyon is a gentle one. You’ll be treated to views of waterfalls and verdant forests. Once you pass Brighton Ski Resort, however, and take a sharp left onto Guardsman Pass Way, you’ll climb switchbacks up the canyon until you reach an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet.

Continue on Guardsman Pass Way until it meets Pine Canyon Road. Here, you can turn around and head back, or take Pine Canyon Road all the way to Midway, Utah. This road is paved, but beware of potholes.

Hanksville to Blanding

The Colorado River carved Glen Canyon into the landscape of Utah and Arizona. The controversial Glen Canyon Dam, built in 1966 in Page, Arizona, created Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in America.

The ride from Hanksville to Blanding via Route 95 offers unparalleled views of the canyon and river, which you can enjoy in solitude. Though you may see boaters headed to Powell, there isn’t much else along this road (while we’re on the subject, be sure to fuel up in Hanksville). 

You’ll cross the Colorado River using the Hite Crossing Bridge, then pass through Fry Canyon (there’s a small cafe/gas station here, but it’s not always open, so don’t count on it). You’ll also pass the turnoff for Natural Bridges National Monument, a great place to see rock bridges and arches.

This area is a stunning sample of what the American Southwest has to offer. It is remote and can be very hot, so make sure your bike is in good shape and you have plenty of water.