Motorcycle Rides Near Me in Missouri

Closest US Motorcycle Riding Hotspot to Missouri

First, if you are an Missouri motorcycle rider that is willing to travel a bit to wherever the best motorcycle rides are, then I need to tell you about some motorcycle riding HOTSPOTS across the United States.  After 20+ years of collecting data on 1,000s of great US motorcycle roads & rides, motorcycle rider reviews and ratings of those motorcycle roads, along with thousands of photos and videos, it has become clear that some regions of the USA are simply motorcycle riding Hotspots.  And, the particular motorcycle riding hotspot that is the nearest to the state of Missouri is located to not too far away in Northwest Arkansas.  I'll provide you some specific information about that hotspot below but you need to realize that there are other hotspots located in different regions of the US that you may want to consider traveling to at some point in your "motorcycle riding lifetime."  Each of these hotspots act like “magnets for motorcycling” and are depicted in the map image below.

Below I'll go over the closest motorcycle riding hotspot to Missouri but if you wish to learn about any of the other hotspots, check out our motorcycle roads near me (USA version). 

The nearest motorcycle riding hotspot to Missouri is unfortunately a bit of a well kept secret from many motorcycle riders as it is one of those places that isn't located near major tourist areas or large cities that would increase the chances of more riders discovering it. It is however a place of particular natural beauty and near ideal topography to combine a truly fertile ground for some top-shelf motorcycle riding real-estate.  This motorcycle riding hotspot is in Northwest Arkansas, west of Little Rock, Arkansas and general comprises of roads that run through two national forests: the Ozark National Forest and the Quachita National Forest (see map image above).  For your reference, St. Louis, MO to Little Rock, AR is about 350 miles or around a 5.5-hour drive.  From KC the drive is a bit longer at about 425 miles or around a 6-hour drive.

Motorcycle Riding Hotspot #4 - Northwest Arkansas

            When I began MotorcycleRoads.com way back in 1998, I would have never guessed that Northwest Arkansas would end up being one of the motorcycle riding hotspots in the USA but it undoubtedly is!  This region of Arkansas is home to portions of the Ozark mountains and with its mountainous terrain, fertile forests, deep valleys and many waterways, it simply makes for an ideal setting for motorcycle riding.  This area is home to all the Top-5 motorcycle rides in Arkansas; two of which are in the Top 20 motorcycle rides in the entire USA.  It also is only fair to note that fantastic Ozark mountain motorcycle roads are also available in nearby in Southwest Missouri and Eastern Oklahoma.  Once Missouri motorcycle riders make it to Northwest Arkansas, you will find many, many, great motorcycle roads but a few of the very best of this great American motorcycle riding hotspot are as follows: 

• The famous Arkansas Pig Trail (Arkansas 23) is the #1 route in Arkansas and currently ranked the #9 in the entire USA 
• The Talimena National Scenic Byway is the #1 motorcycle road in Oklahoma and extends into eastern Arkansas 
• The Arkansas Dragon (Hwy 123) is the #2 motorcycle ride in Arkansas and also in the current Top 20 of US motorcycle roads
• Push Mountain Road and Highway 7 round out the list of Top 5 Arkansas motorcycle rides
   

Iconic US Motorcycle Rides Spread Out Throughout the Country

Now if you are interested in not just hotspots but the USA's hottest individual motorcycle rides that are generally considered to be the very best motorcycle roads in the entire USA, then I need to tell you about the motorcycle rides that have reached iconic status. Unfortunately none of these motorcycle rides are located in Missouri, they are rides that all die hard motorcycling riding enthusiasts should add to his/her motorcycle riding bucket list.  The short list of these premium motorcycle rides in the USA are as follows:

	The Dragon – This is a route that starts at the North Carolina and Tennessee border and goes north from there for 11-miles into Tennessee.  This motorcycle ride goes by many names such as The Dragon, the Tail of the Dragon, Deal’s Gap, and/or the Dragon’s Tail.  Call it what you want, but this is most likely the most famous motorcycle road in the entire world … yes, world.  It is known for its collection of incredible curves compressed into a short stretch of 11-miles ... 318 curves in those mere 11-miles.
	The Blue Ridge Parkway – like The Tail of the Dragon discussed above, the next iconic motorcycle ride is also world famous yet this is anything but a short ride as it covers a whopping 469-miles!  This route is covers large portions of both Virginia and North Carolina and has been enchanting both motorcycle riders and car drivers for decades.
	Three Sisters – the next iconic motorcycle ride takes us down way down south & “deep in the heart of Texas” with a motorcycle ride that also goes by a few different names (Ranch Roads 335, 336,337a, or “The Twisted Sisters,” or simply “The Three Sisters”) and is positioned in an area known as Texas Hill country just northwest of San Antonio, Texas.  The ride has a cult following of riders and like the other iconic rides, draws motorcycle riders in from not just the USA but all parts of the world.
	Hwy 1 - Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) – Beyond a doubt, the most iconic motorcycle ride in the west is the Pacific Coast Highway and is also one of the most famous scenic drive in all of the world.  This quintessential road trip up (or down) the California coast became popular when it was glamorized by a variety of movies and TV shows and has only grown in popularity over time.  It offers gentle curves and breathtaking scenery as well as world class amenities along the coast and in the cities/towns that grace its path.
	If you’re looking for a iconic motorcycle ride in the Midwest, The Tunnel of Trees Road is like the PCH of the Midwest and like PCH (described above), this route is also a “shore hugger.”  It offers riders great lake shore scenery off to the west with a canopy of green foliage from above.  The ride is a favorite among Midwestern motorcycle riders and is particularly captivating in the fall when the autumn colors mesmerize riders as the ride beneath a canopy of golds, oranges, and scarlet reds.
	The last iconic American motorcycle ride on our list is the most extreme in many aspects as it is located in a sparsely populated area in northern Wyoming and crossing over into an equally sparsely populated area of Southern Montana and is referred to as Beartooth Pass .  The route is extreme for the fact that for the sheer mountain cliffs and switchbacks as well as the fact that it can throw snow & ice into the mix as late as July.  It not only offers riders unrivaled mountain scenery but also has the added bonus of putting riders within a short drive to the quintessential US National Park - Yellowstone.

The Best Motorcycle Riding areas in the state of Missouri  

So far we have told you about Missouri's nearest motorcycle riding hotspot, Southeast Ohio, as well as iconic US motorcycle roads that are spread out around the USA, but all of these motorcycle rides are a considerable distance from Missouri.  And, some motorcycle riders simply aren't up for the long distance travel to get to these exceptional motorcycle roads (or at least not at the moment).  So, if instead you simply want to find the best motorcycle rides near you in Missouri, then read on as I describe 5 of the very best motorcycle rides in Missouri below.  Each of these rides has been a top ranked motorcycle ride in Missouri for years as our ranking algorithm doesn't let a newly added ride simply jet right up to the top of the list of motorcycle roads but instead factors in the route's popularity over time by looking at many different factors that indicate a motorcycle road's popularity (e.g., page views for that motorcycle road, the number of motorcycle riders following that route, the number of times that route has been saved to riders' To Ride list, the number of times that motorcycle ride has been saved to a riders' Rode It list, the number of motorcycle ride photos or videos that have been uploaded to that page, etc, etc.).  Keep in mind however, that even though we use a somewhat complex rating algorithm to keep 'undeserving routes' from erratically rising to the top, certainly the ratings can & do change over time and so the list you see below of the best motorcycle rides in Missouri was current at the time of the publication of this guide to the best motorcycle rides near me - Missouri (date of last update is found at the top of this guide in the "note" section). Currently there are 40 Missouri motorcycle roads registered on McR which puts the state above average in terms of the number of registered motorcycle roads as the average is 35 per state.  

Below are short descriptions of 5 of the best motorcycle rides in Missouri (complete/updated listing of all Missouri motorcycle rides).

The Top-5 Motorcycle Rides in Missouri: 

1. Hwy 19 from Hermann to Winona - The most popular motorcycle ride in Missouri is a 135-mile route that starts just west of St. Louis in the historic and quaint town of Herman, MO.  From there the route heads due south as it crosses I-44 just east of Rolla, MO and continues heading south down into the Mark Twain National Forest.
    
   
    
2. Missouri Wine Country Tour - The second most popular Missouri motorcycle road on our list takes us back up to St. Louis where this route starts in the suburb of St. Charles and heads west within the flood plain of the Missouri River.  This area is particularly beautiful because of its hill covered topography and heavily wooded scenery.  A major draw in this area are the many Missouri wineries that dot this idyllic landscape and make this 60-mile meandering motorcycle ride a favorite for many riders in the metro St. Louis area!
   
   
    
3. The "Big MO" River Ride Loop  - The third most popular motorcycle ride is on the far other end of the state from St. Louis and is found just east of the other big metro/city: Kansas City.  This route, the Big Mo River Ride, starts on the eastern outskirts of KC and makes a 123-mile loop heading east and then eventually back west to KC.  It follows portions of the Missouri River hence the name.
   
   
   
    
4. Highway 125 - Unlike the 1st and 2nd routes in our listing here, this next route - Highway 25 - does not sit next to a major city, nor is it in the eastern or western portion of the state but instead this route is found in the south-central portion of Missouri outside the every popular tourist town of Branson, MO.  This 60-mile favorite in fact extends right on down to and over the Missouri/Arkansas border and into the motorcycle riding paradise I described above - Northwest Arkansas!  
   
   
   
    
5. St. Louis / Il Bluffs / MO Mining Country Loop - The last Missouri motorcycle ride in our loop is also the longest route of the entire group as it covers 200+ miles of beautiful sections of Mississippi River valley landscaping in both the areas south of St. Louis and at one point crossing over into Illinois.  The route features a couple of wonderful bluffs along the Mississippi as well as beautiful rolling hills sections that lie just south of St. Louis.
   

In addition to the 5 specific Missouri motorcycle roads highlighted above, overall the state has some great destinations that you can use to create many more great Missouri motorcycle rides and outings.  In general, Missouri is a state deeply rooted in culture and history. It offers a wide range of wonderful experiences of sightseeing and exploring.  By working in any of the below Missouri destinations along with some of the great Missouri motorcycle roads listed on McR, you can plan and execute some really nice day trips or even "overnighters":

• The Gateway Arch is an iconic structure in St. Louis, symbolic as the Gateway to the West. An elevator up to the 630-feet-high viewing platform offers stunning city views. Located in the Gateway Arch National Park (formerly called the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park), the arch can also be viewed from helicopter tours, river boat cruises and from the Old Courthouse.
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of Kansas City’s most cultural hotspots with a comprehensive collection of pieces from all over the world. Some highlights are the Eastern Asian Art collection and the sculpture garden. It offers free admission and organizes live music on every third Thursday of the month.
• Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is the sight of the war between Union Troops and Confederates on August 10, 1861. The War Museum here houses artifacts including the sword belt and sash of Arkansas General Patrick Cleburne. A 4.9-mile tour road leads through the battlefield and remains of the historical structures.
• Lake of the Ozarks is the result of when a dam was installed in the path of the Osage River in 1931.  This area has grown to become a fantastically popular destination in the Midwest. Professional Golf Courses, beautiful camping grounds, amazing luxury resorts and an array of water activities like fishing, swimming and boating attract tourists. The shoreline at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers shopping, dining and an opportunity to interact with the local community.
• Forest Park is one of the most beautiful urban parks ever and stretches over 1,300 miles. It is home to ponds, gardens and more than 45,000 trees in a natural setting. St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Science Center and The Muny (America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre) are all located on the park’s grounds.
• Named after the celebrated author, Mark Twain National Forest covers over 3 million acres of rich wilderness and scenic river area. It spans over 29 counties and accounts for 11% of the state’s forest lands. The Greener Spring, the largest spring on National Forest Land, is the most unique feature here. Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway offers amazing views in the area.
• Ha Ha Tonka State Park spans over 3,700 acres on the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. Its most notably features the Ha Ha Tonka, an early 20th-century stone mansion inspired by 16th-Century European Castles. Other attractions include sinkholes, caves and buffs.
• Elephant Rocks State Park is a geological reserve and recreational area. It is named after the string of large granite boulders that resemble a train of pink circus elephants. It is known for picnic sites, rock climbing and trail exploration.

Conclusion

As always, I hope to provide you with insightful & valuable motorcycle riding community information to help you get the most out of all of your motorcycling experiences.

I'm always looking for ways to make MotorcycleRoads.com better and more helpful so if you have any suggestions to improve the website, just contact me through the Feedback button you'll find near the top of every page.  And as always, if you have a favorite motorcycle road of yours that is not yet registered on MotorcycleRoads.com, please get that favorite of yours "on the map" by registering it at MotorcycleRoads.com.  Registering a motorcycle road (or event, or club, or place) is quick and easy and you'll be helping out our motorcycle riding community!!! 

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