West U.S.

Bagging Passes in the Colorado Rockies—Riding Denver to Durango

Colorado is a tale of two topographies. The eastern third of the state, roughly everything east of Interstate 25, is part of the Great...

19 Spectacular Waterfalls Worth the Ride

Discover the best waterfall motorcycle rides in America, featuring scenic roads, unforgettable destinations, and spectacular waterfalls worth the journey.

Don’t Miss These 49 Epic Motorcycle Stops in California 

Few places on Earth deliver this kind of range in a single ride. From coastal cliffs that drop into the Pacific and alpine passes...

Arizona U.S. 160—High Desert Distance Through Navajo and Hopi Country

Ride Arizona’s U.S. 160 through Navajo and Hopi country, where vast desert plateaus, open skies, and iconic Southwest landscapes create an unforgettable motorcycle journey.

Yellowstone National Park Motorcycle Trip—Geysers, Wildlife, and High Plains Riding

Plan the ultimate Yellowstone National Park motorcycle trip. Ride the Grand Loop Road, see geysers, wildlife, mountain scenery, and unforgettable high-country touring.

100+ Roadside Attractions Along U.S. Route 66

Celebrate Route 66’s 100th anniversary with over 100 of the best roadside attractions, from neon motels and giant statues to quirky tourist stops that define America’s Mother Road.

Riding the Roof of Wyoming Motorcycle Ride: Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, Beartooth Highway, and Yellowstone National Park

In late September, I joined my riding buddies Ray, Rafi, Ashish, and Jay for a northern Wyoming motorcycle ride through wild landscapes, including the...

Peaks, Valleys, and Coastline: Southern California Motorcycle Ride | Favorite Ride

The August 2019 issue of Rider included my tour story, “Palms to Pines to the Pacific,” about a Southern California motorcycle ride west on...

Montana Backcountry Discovery Route to Premiere Feb. 7, 2026

The Montana Backcountry Discover Routes, which completes the Western BDR system of linked routes, is ready to be released with a film premiere on...

New Mexico Route 66—Where the Mother Road Found Its Soul

Stretching nearly 500 miles, the New Mexico section of Route 66 introduces travelers to landscapes unlike anything they’ve encountered on the journey so far.

Historic Forts and Family Roots: Arizona Motorcycle Ride

Arizona was added as the last of the contiguous American states in 1912. While “State 48” is relatively young, its military history predates its...

Art of the Ancients: Colorado River Motorcycle Ride

There is something truly awe-inspiring about standing in the presence of art created by an ancient civilization, especially when that creation holds a particular...

Arizona Route 66—The Mother Road’s Greatest Treasure

Arizona is the heart of Route 66, where historic towns, classic roadside attractions, and unforgettable desert scenery bring the Mother Road to life.

California Route 66—The Final Stretch

California marks Route 66's unforgettable finale, carrying riders from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific Ocean. Discover historic towns, iconic attractions, and travel tips for the final 316 miles to Santa Monica Pier.

Red River Rivalry of Pie: Searching for the Best in Oklahoma and Texas

Oklahoma and Texas have been official neighbors since 1907, when Oklahoma became the 46th state. Oklahomans and Texans have more in common than not,...

Turning Copper into Gold: Asphalt Alchemy on Arizona’s Coronado Trail

From 1540 to 1542, decades before European colonies were established on the Atlantic side of the Americas, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado...

Route 66 Motorcycle Travel Guide

Main Street USA. The Mother Road. The Will Rogers Highway. Known by many names, Route 66 is an American icon that has inspired a...

Flagstaff to Barstow on Historic Route 66 | Favorite Ride

Testing the new Can-Am Canyon Redrock in Arizona presented me with an opportunity to ride part of Historic Route 66. I began in Flagstaff,...

Yore Mother Road: Recollections of a Route 66 Motorcycle Ride

Decades after its official demise in 1985, Route 66 remains in fragments, with the rest either paved over and renamed or reclaimed by nature....

From Ojai to the Carrizo Plain: California Adventure Motorcycle Ride | Favorite Ride

When I want a taste of adventure in my own backyard, one of my favorite rides is around the Carrizo Plain National Monument, a...

South Dakota Motorcycle Ride: Exploring the Badlands and Black Hills

In River-Horse, William Least Heat-Moon’s book about his journey across the United States by boat, he mentions carrying a small sign with the Quaker...

Ural-ing Around Colorado Motorcycle Ride

Backed by lush orchestration, the opening credits of the 1969 John Wayne film, True Grit, reveal a beautiful farmstead nestled in a green valley...

Roamin’ in Wyoming Motorcycle Ride

Fort Laramie is the oldest town in Wyoming, having first been settled as Fort Williams in the 1830s and “bought” by the U.S. government...

Utah Motorcycle Ride to Great Basin National Park | Favorite Ride

Ten years ago, doctors removed my left kidney – and the golfball-sized tumor attached to it. To mark a decade of being cancer-free, I...

Best Motorcycle Roads in Marin County, California

California is known for excellent motorcycle roads. But even in such a target-rich environment, there are special areas that offer a mind-boggling blend of...

Southern Utah Motorcycle Ride | Favorite Ride

Some roads are famous for the scenery through which they traverse, and some are famous for the unique nature of the roads themselves. There...

Arizona Motorcycle Adventure: From Prescott to the Grand Canyon

The American West has special allure. Rugged landscapes, hardscrabble history, and a sense of endless possibilities draw people to the West like a magnet...

Traipsing Across Washington Motorcycle Ride | Favorite Ride

Matt Terry, a riding buddy from Florida, planned to travel out West with his family, and he always trailers his two Ducati Diavel Stradas...

The Lost Sierra: Northern California Motorcycle Ride

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in the October 2004 issue. The phone rings. It’s Werner Wachter calling from Austria. “You vill come to...

50 Best Motorcycle Roads in America

The December 2024 issue of Rider celebrated the magazine's 50th anniversary. Over the past half century, we have published thousands of travels stories, favorite...
2026 Motorcycle Buyers Guide