As strange as this sounds, naming Arizona (AZ) the Grand Canyon State sells the state short as the state has so much more to offer visitors than access to this world famous "natural wonder of the world." The state will offer motorcycle riders one of the most diverse scenery repertoires in all of America featuring canyons, lush forests, cactus laden deserts, alpine mountain scenery and a collection of pristine lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Favorite destinations for motorcycle rides are Sedona, Flagstaff, Tucson, Phoenix and of course the Grand Canyon.
Best Rated Motorcycle Roads & Rides
Color Key: top-5 ranked routes in the state
#1#2#3#4#5
Routes ranked below the top-5 are drawn in gray
GREAT RIDE WITH GREAT VEIWS AND NO HOUSES. RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, CLIFFS, LAKE, WILD LIFE. MUST STOP A SAGUARO LAKE ON RIGHT. GET PLACE TO STOP AND TAKE IN THE WATER AND THE VEIWS.
This route gives you a unique look at northern Arizona and the less visited North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You will be traveling at approximately 8,000 ft above sea level. The route travels through…
From Cameron to the Little Colorado River Gorge (stop here to start preparing for great views, and buy some pottery) is high desert and interesting but, from here on it just goes from good to…
Rather lush hills of desert plants with many larger bushes/trees such as palo verde (the Arizona state tree) with its green bark. This is very hilly country of mostly old volcanic rock.
This is newly paved, two lane National Forest road that traverses a section of the National Forest damaged by a forest fire in 2011. The road provides a rare glimpse into the devastation of a wide…
In Chinle there are plenty of eateries and fuel stations so fill up before stopping at the Park Information Center. This trip goes along the North rim of the Canyon De Chilly ... not as grand as the…
A nice ride through remote a maintain landscape with ranches, meadows, with more elk than people! Temperatures range from 32 degrees to 70 degrees and the area enjoys 350 sunny days a year. You'll…
Climb out of the alpine meadows of Apline, AZ and travel through nearly all of the habitat zones available in New Mexico. As you descend through the pine forests you notice the gradual climb in temp…
If you are riding the Southwest through the I-10 corridor and have time to get off the interstate then this is an excellent detour through South Eastern Arizona's high desert, quarter-horse and…
Steep climb and tight curves to above 9,000 ft. there is a scenic overlook just a few miles from the start and it's worth a stop to see the valley below. As you continue it's obvious the damage done…
Heading north from Sonoita, you'll have ranch land on both sides all the way up to the border control check point. If you're lucky, you may see some pronghorn sheep, which by the way are the fastest…
Just the Ol' 66 instead of the drone on the 40.
Keep an eye for Grand Canyon Caverns, pretty cool and worth a stop.
Little Route 66 shops along the way, rumored to be the road the movie Cars was…
This is a fun route with some interesting stops. Gila Bend has gas and food-little else. As you travel north, you will briefly pass some desert (the whole countryside around here is desert climate),…
When you start you will drive through mostly desert until you come to Highway 386. Once on 386 and heading up to Kitt Peak you will see mountains, as you get closer to the top you will see a…
The Cascabel Rd travels through the valley of San Pedro River. There are a number of ranches. The people you see in cars or horses are very friendly. The ranches do not detract from the oasis nature…
Starting in Show Low, AZ. in the White Mountains about 6,800 ft. there are tall poderosa Pines, as you head south on Rt. 260 passing thru Pinetop-Lakeside on to Hon Dah Jct. 73 south to Whiteriver,…
Beautiful mountains and dense forest. Then you get to see a volcano with hardened molten around the road. Then you drive through a few plains to get to a red rock like scenery that is just great to…
You'll see lovely views of the Rincons, Apache Peak (west of Benson), drive through Tombstone (if you stop here, check out the mine tour and the historic courthouse), then you'll enter the mountains…
This ride starts in the southwest corner of Arizona, Yuma to be exact, it is the desert view along the Colorado River up Hwy 95, you can see the desert blooms in the early spring and agin in the…
The route itself is good with mountains on both sides. The section from Coolidge Dam road to Globe is spectacular from any direction. BIA 3 (Coolidge Dam Road) to the Dam is an older blacktop road…
