Motorcycle Rides Near Me in Texas

Have you ever asked the question: Where are the best motorcycle rides near me in Texas (TX)?

Whether you are simply looking for new motorcycle rides & roads in Texas to try or if you are specifically trying to find the very best motorcycle rides in Texas, learning of all your motorcycle ride options may be more difficult than you realize. Even motorcycle riders with years of experience riding in the Lone Star State can stumble on to a great motorcycle ride that they had driven past a thousand times. Or, these riders happen to talk to another motorcycle rider and find out about a local/great motorcycle road in an area that they’ve never thought to try. So, MotorcycleRoads.com (McR) has put together this quick guide to help you definitively answer the question - “What are my best options for Motorcycle Rides Near Me in Texas?”

*Rankings for Texas motorcycle rides were accurate at the time this guide was published/updated in Feb of 2020 (for more information, see Note 1 at the bottom of this article). Additionally, McR uses a proprietary algorithm to calculate motorcycle ride popularity (for more information, see see Note 2 also at at the bottom of this article).

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Closest US Motorcycle Riding Hotspot to Texas

First, if you are an Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas is a well kept secret from most 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, Dallas, TX to Little Rock, AR is about a 5-hour drive or about a 300-mile journey. Other key Texas cities such as El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, etc., are further but generally travelers from these locations would all take a path that would with a ride to Dallas and then on to Arkansas. Once Texas 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:

Motorcycle Riding Hotspot #4 - Northwest Arkansas

northwest arkansas motorcycle riding hotspot

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.

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

As mentioned previously, Northwest Arkansas is the closest motorcycle riding hotspots for Texas motorcycle riders yet there are other hotspots in the US you may be interested in if you are willing to take on the added travel distances. These other hotspots are described in our Motorcycle Rides Near Me in the USA guide for your reference and should be consulted if you are interested in putting together some epic motorcycle riding experiences.

Iconic US Motorcycle Rides

Now if you are interested in not just hotspots for great motorcycle riding but instead want to take your motorcycle riding experience to the next level by not focusing on great motorcycle riding areas but instead truly the best motorcycle roads and rides in the USA, then I need to tell you about the motorcycle rides that have reached iconic status. These rides have been attracting riders from all over the country and the world for decades and many of which have gained near cult-like followings among motorcycle riders. Overall, these are rides that all motorcycling riding enthusiasts should add to his/her motorcycle riding bucket list. The short list of these iconic motorcycle rides in the USA described below:


	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 Texas 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.

So far I have told you about Texas's closest motorcycle riding hotspot (NW Arkansas) and I've told you specifically about some iconic American motorcycle roads that are generally distributed in different pockets of the USA. Yet, travel to these locations will take a considerable investment in time and planning that some riders may not be interested at this point in their motorcycle riding 'career' and may simply want to find the answer to the question - "Where are motorcycle rides near me in Texas?", then read on as I describe 5 of the very best motorcycle rides in Texas below. Each of these Texas motorcycle rides has been a top ranked ride in the state of Texas for years as our McR ranking algorithm (see note 2 below) doesn't allow newly added rides to jump right up to the top of the list of motorcycle roads but instead factors in the route's popularity over time by considering 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 involved and complex rating algorithm to keep 'undeserving routes' from erratically rising to the top of the rankings, certainly the motorcycle road ratings can & do change over time and so the list you see below of the best motorcycle rides in Texas was current at the time of the publication of this guide to the 'best motorcycle rides near me in Texas' (the specific date of last update is found at the top of this guide in the "*rankings" section). Currently there a massive 103 Texas motorcycle roads registered on McR which puts Texas at the second highest in the country and second only to the 114 California motorcycle rides found in that state yet about 3-times that national average in terms of the number of registered motorcycle roads per state (for your reference, the average US state has about 35 registered motorcycle roads). And Texas not only stands out in quantity but also when we consider quality as many Texas motorcycle rides are ranked in the Top 100 Motorcycle Rides in the USA more specifically, the world Famous Texas motorcycle route often referred simply as "The Three Sisters" (appropriately listed above as one of the Iconic US motorcycle rides) is among the cream of the croup of the highly competitive list of the best motorcycle rides in the South.

The Top-5 Best Motorcycle Rides in Texas:

three sisters texas motorcycle ride

The Three Sisters (AKA The Twisted Sisters)- Ranch Roads 335, 336,337a

This Texas motorcycle ride is sure to change your perception of the state! As you ride through the twisty curves amongst the Texas Ranches, the area showcases some great scenic views that lead up to the gorgeous Nueces River on Ranch Road 335. The roller-coaster-like ride over large hills are sure to blow you away! Watch out for deer, locals and sharp turns. There aren’t many amenities. But again, you’re here for the scenic vistas. Don’t forget to gas up in Leaky.

rio-grande-river motorcycle ride

Bend Region - Rio Grande River Road

This Texas ride begins in Alpine and is best ridden in April-May. The quiet country farm roads offer the best Bluebonnet viewing and have plenty of places to stop for pictures. It offers twisties, hills and flat straight roads. Alpine has good accommodation. You can stay at the Chisos Mountain Lodge. Presidio has a permanent movie set you can visit. There are also several silent pull-offs along the way from where you can see livestock grazing or simply the stretching beauty of the landscape.

red river motorcycle ride.jpg

The Red River Cruise

This 130-mile loop from Denton makes for a great Saturday drive, says the author. It has a beautiful countryside with views of nice hills. Near Munester is a sic-fi like wind power generation farm. The valley views from Montague County are simply unparalleled. Rolling hills, straight-ways and sweeping curves take you along a mostly well-maintained road (except through Wise and Cooke Counties where roads get a bit rough).

balcones-canyonlands-texas motorcycle ride

Hippie Hollow Horror

From Four Points this Texas motorcycle route heads out to Austin (next to Lake Travis) to get to the Bulluck Hollow Road, Lime Creek Road, Whitestone Boulevard and though Jonestown, Lago Vista, Smithwick ends in Marble Falls. It skirts along the edge of Lake Travis and passes the County Lake BBQ on the Colorado River. The curvy roads have some gravel sections where you would have to slow down to 10mph. It’s wise to cautiously follow speed signs while riding these areas.

Possum Kingdom Lake texas motorcycle ride.jpg

The Possum Kingdom Lake Ride

This mountainous twisty northern Texas motorcycle ride lies about 60 miles left of Dallas. The road offers some amazing lake, mountain and cliff views. It also has some straight ways. Highway 4 looks best in the colors of the fall. It makes for a decent day excursion with plenty of spots to pull off for a break and sight-seeing. The small towns on the way have gas stations. Mary’s Café and a small steak

Now aside from the best Texas motorcycle rides described above, overall the state of Texas has some great places to see and visit. Texas motorcycle riders should work some of these destinations into a motorcycle trip (day trip, weekend, or small vacation) along with some the great motorcycle rides in Texas. The Lone Star State offers more than rugged arid rides and grassland plains to its visitors. It has some unique historic spots and scenic destinations to be discovered. Standout destinations in the state of Texas that Texas motorcycle riders should consider are listed below along with a link to a website with more information:

Houston is undoubtedly the heart and soul of the state with several attractions like the space center, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, some cultural hubs like the Museum District and theater district, and the best barbecue places in the state.
The Alamo, initially built as a part of a mission station was converted into a fort in 1836 and is currently one of America’s most historic sites. You can go along the Mission Trail to visit some other such spots within the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park.
The San Antonio River Walk is lined with fancy restaurants to dine by the river side. The popular pedestrian paths wind along the heart of the city. You can also cruise down on a boat.
The Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo brings out the artist in every visitor who is welcome to spray-paint as well as take home some very colorful memories. The cars installed by an art group called Ant Farm in 1974 has appeared in numerous films and music videos ever since.
The Padre Island is known for being the longest barrier island in the world. The southern part offers some of the most luxurious vacation amenities while the 70-mile end-to-end stretch makes for a great ride. The 130,000 acres of beaches, dunes, grasslands and more are one of the most important conservation sites for rare beings.
The Big Bend National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in West Texas. Mostly popular for motorcycle rides, it also offers a range of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, paddling along the Rio Grande River and bird watching with over 400 species of birds!
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to four of the highest peaks in the state, is located in the North-Eastern part. The unique and abundant wildlife here includes the Golden Eagles. This part also offers an 80-mile hiking trail through lush greenery, canyons and woodlands.
The Palo Duro Canyon State Park houses the second largest canyon in the country (roughly 120 mi long, width ranging between 6 and 20 mi, and depth between 820 and 1,000 ft). The multi-colored rock layers, steep walls and the surreal landscape give it an almost Grand Canyon-like feel.

Interested in more motorcycle ride articles like this?


		The Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in the Midwest
		The Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in the Northeast
		The Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in the South
		The Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in the West

Note 1: All facts and figures below were gathered during early Jan 2019 and will change over time as new motorcycle roads are added to the collection.

Note 2: How were these popularity ratings calculated?
A motorcycle road’s popularity can be based on a wide variety of factors. Our analysis considered some obvious indicators of motorcycle road popularity such each roads’ “Rider Rating” scores (star ratings) and which motorcycle road description pages were visited the most. But, the analysis dug deeper and looked at some less obvious yet valuable indicators of a motorcycle road’s popularity such as how often a given motorcycle road was added to riders’ “To Ride” lists, how often a given motorcycle road was added to riders’ “Rode it” lists and enthusiasm indicators such how often photos and/or videos were uploaded for a given road and which roads are attracting the most buzz among motorcycle roads indicated by those roads that are receiving the most number of new/recent comments. For the sake of being consistent and as objective as possible we use a popularity algorithm that “crunches those number” and allows us to develop a ranking of the popularity of each of the motorcycle roads used as a basis for this guide.

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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