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Rent a Motorcycle From EagleRider To Enjoy Motorcycle Ride Connecting Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, & Grand Staircase

800 W. Route 66 Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Connecting three awe-inspiring canyon land destinations, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, this 153-mile route offers some of the absolute best riding in Utah. Although you can comfortably do the entire route in one day, we recommend breaking up the journey with an overnight in Bryce. This region is so vast and spectacular it’s worth exploring in more depth and allowing at least two days of riding.

As you ride your motorcycle here, the scenery will run the gamut from colorful layered sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and crimson-colored spires to rolling plateaus, picturesque pine-covered hills, and endless slick rock. One section of this ride, State Route 12 (also called Scenic Byway 12), is known as "Highway 12 — A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway". This state highway is designated as an All-American Road because it reveals some of the most iconic Western scenery in the USA.

Enjoy this spectacular motorcycle ride leaving from Eagle Rider Flagstaff on lonely streets in northern Arizona and southern Utah. During the summer months the temperatures in the region get extremely hot, and it is essential to carry at least three liters of water and sunscreen with you. Travel is most comfortable here in the early mornings when the temperatures are cool and the traffic is light. There will be gas stations and a few places to eat along the way, so it's best to start out your motorcycle ride with a full tank of gas and some snacks in the panniers.

Zion National Park

Starting in La Verkin, ride to Mount Carmel Junction on Route 9, which offers magnificent views of Zion Canyon while taking you straight through Zion National Park. One of the very best things about this National Park is that while riding through the Park, you're actually riding in the scenery! You are as much a part of the landscape as the million-year-old carved sandstone. For the first 26 miles, the road will weave across the breathtaking red rock country in large, sweeping bends allowing you to take in all the scenery.

Inside Zion National Park the roadway can get exceedingly busy with car, RV and tour bus traffic. The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is a one-way tunnel that all traffic traversing the Park must travel through.  This causes congestion, and the wait can be an easy 10-15 minutes, or a grueling hour-plus wait in Utah's punishing sun with no shade.

Inside the tunnel it's quite dark compared to the glaring sun outside. There are windows opening to the canyon below to let you peer out toward the Great Arch and other rock formations nearby, but unfortunately you're not able to stop. Past the tunnel, ease off the throttle as the road is walled in by the canyon here and it twists and turns in some very tight corners.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Once you reach Mount Carmel Junction, stop here for a quick break and fill up with gas, Grab a cold drink and a bite to eat, then jump on Route 89, a two-lane road offering plenty of gentle sweepers and slowly climbing in elevation. Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000 feet above the sea level, and the temperatures will gradually cool here, offering a welcome relief from the intense heat inside Zion National Park.

43 miles after Mount Carmel Junction, take the right turn to get on to Route 12, known as the Scenic Byway 12. If you forgot to fill up your tank, there’s a Conoco gas station right here where Route 12 begins.

A couple of miles into Route 12, you will enter Red Canyon getting the first taste of what Bryce Canyon will look like. Pink and red sandstone outcroppings sit right next to the road here, allowing for fantastic photo opportunities. Within the next 7 miles, the road will gradually climb to around 7,500 feet in elevation as you reach the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park.

By mile 14, take Route 63 and ride out to Rainbow Point and back. This will be a 40-mile round-trip detour, but the views along the way make it more than worthwhile. The Bryce Natural Bridge, Pink Cliffs, and Ponderosa Canyon reveal some of the best views of the iconic Bryce hoodoos – red, white, and orange rock spire clusters resembling petrified trees. The vistas at the Rainbow Point overlook rival those of the Grand Canyon, revealing some of Bryce’s most spectacular natural amphitheaters.

Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument

As you exit Bryce Canyon National Park, Scenic Byway 12 will take you across the sun-drenched Utah backcountry, meandering along rolling sandstone hills and pine-covered plateaus. On your right, you will glimpse parts of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, sometimes referred to as "the Delaware-sized natural museum”.

Grand Staircase – Escalante is such a remote area that it was the last part of the continental US to be mapped. The Monument’s boundaries contain impressive sandstone rock formations, slot canyons, fossils of previously unknown dinosaurs, ruins and relics of countless Native American sites. It's also home to thousands of acres of rugged, unspoiled wilderness.

A large portion of the Monument’s most impressive sites and slot canyons are only accessible by hiking trails. If you want to explore this stunning wilderness in more depth, stay in Escalante and do some hiking in the area. Zebra Slot Canyon is a breathtaking narrow canyon with colorful striped walls and looks like it has fallen to Earth from some remote, lonely planet.

Devil’s Garden is another otherworldly Grand Staircase – Escalante location, filled with natural arches, caves, and “rock goblins", strange vertical rocks that resemble the Easter Island statues. Astonishingly, these were carved by millions of years of erosion by wind and water. If you’re planning on hiking, keep in mind that most roads leading to trailheads are poorly maintained gravel and dirt trails. The Bureau of Land Management, which manages much of this area, recommends bringing at least one gallon of water as well as sunblock, a map, and sturdy shoes even for a short hike.

Jemez Loop

The 249-mile Jemez Loop is one of the most scenic rides in New Mexico. A mix of hairpins and big sweeping curves, the Jemez Loop offers incredibly diverse scenery ranging from red rocks and desert vistas to alpine mountain views. Sometimes running parallel to the Jemez River and crossing the mighty Rio Grande, the Jemez Loop is a perfect day’s ride or a two-day road trip depending on how much time you can spare.

The route starts in Albuquerque, and if you time your journey for the second week of October, you can catch a glimpse of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta when over 900 hot air balloons take to the sky. The view of so many balloons aloft or setting off is a sight to behold! But be sure to book your hotel rooms in advance if you’re planning to stay and see the Fiesta as the city receives thousands of visitors during that time.

When planning your trip, also know that parts of the Jemez Loop can get crowded during weekends as both locals and travelers alike love to explore this route in their cars and campervans. To avoid heavy traffic, plan your ride for a weekday or better, head out early in the morning to beat the crowds.

Here’s what’s not to miss on your Jemez Loop ride:

Jemez Indian Pueblo

As you leave Albuquerque, jump on Route 550 and head north. A little over 50 miles from Albuquerque, stop at Jemez Pueblo, one of the nineteen remaining pueblos of New Mexico. Inhabited by the native Jemez people, the Jemez Pueblo has a curious Welcome Center where you can learn more about New Mexico’s Native American heritage and the rich and colorful history of the pueblos. The Jemez Nation migrated to what is now New Mexico in the late 13th century and occupied numerous puebloan villages located on the high mountain mesas and the canyons. These stone-built structures could sometimes contain as many as 3,000 rooms and now constitute some of the largest archaeological ruins in the United States. The Jemez Pueblo is also a great place for a quick lunch. Los Ojos Restaurant and Saloon is especially popular among motorcyclists, and we hear their homemade burger is nothing short of legendary.

Battleship Rock

Past the Jemez Pueblo, the scenery will begin to change. The ponderosa pine-covered land will give way to red rock cliffs and canyons, and the road will take you past Battleship Rock. Battleship Rock is a sheer cliff rising 200 feet above the East Fork Jemez River, and there is a large parking lot and picnic area if you feel like stopping to admire the view and stretching your legs a short while.

From here, Route 4 is a narrow two-lane road cutting across the heavily forested mountain country and the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Here, the Jemez Loop is at its most spectacular as it crosses the 14-mile wide collapsed volcanic caldera, offering astonishing alpine views while hugging the mountain in big, exciting curves.

In Los Alamos, stop at the Pajarito Brewpub and Grill for a bite to eat. A popular motorcycle hangout spot, the Grill offers hearty lunch and dinner options as well as local and regional craft beers.

After Los Alamos, the scenery will begin to change once again offering breath-taking views of the red rock mesas and buttes dotting the valleys and plateaus below. More high-desert vistas await around and past Santa Fe, and eventually, the road will briefly skirt the Cibola National Forest before taking you back to Albuquerque to complete the loop.

Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

Just two hours from Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway motorcycle ride is an excellent way to spend the day exploring New Mexico’s more remote areas and stunning mountain as well as canyon land scenery. The Enchanted Circle loop runs around Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico, over 13,161 feet of altitude at its peak. Although there are some small villages along the way, most of this route takes you through rugged, remote country where the spirit of the pioneer era gold prospectors and adventurers can still be felt while riding some fun twisties and switchbacks.

Before you go, fill up your gas tank in Taos, as there won’t be much in terms of facilities and gas stations along the way. A few towns along the route offer some saloon style diners and eateries to grab a bite, however, fuel availability is scarce. Here is what to expect on the Enchanted Circle motorcycle ride:

Taos and Red River

Start your trip in Taos, a small yet vibrant historic town steeped in New Mexico’s Native American and Spanish era heritage. Established in the early 1800’s as a frontier town, Taos boasts a beautiful historic center and a thriving arts community. A couple of miles northeast of Taos lies the Taos Pueblo, one of the longest continually inhabited places in the United States. Accessible via Hail Creek Road just off Route 64, Taos Pueblo boasts some curious adobe structures built around 1000 -1450 AD by the Tiwa people. Taos Pueblo was believed to be one of the fabled Golden Cities of Cibola by the Spanish conquistadors who explored the area as early as the 16th century.

As you leave Taos, ride north towards Questa, then take Route 38 towards Red River. Past Questa, the road will begin snaking and turning taking you across a solitary mountain country where traffic is sparse and you can truly enjoy the solitude and the ever-twisting narrow road. Red River is a popular ski resort in winter, and you can stop here for a quick snack break or get some lunch. Motorcyclists love the Bull O’ The Woods Saloon, a true pioneer-style place on Main Street offering numerous lunch and dinner options. Old Tymer’s Café, another motorcycle-friendly watering hole, boasts the best homemade burgers in town.

Eagle Nest

Leaving Red River, continue on Route 38 heading towards Eagle Nest. The road runs across a pine-covered plateau here efore depositing you in Eagle Nest, an aptly named mountain town offering breath-taking views of the mountains. An old Western frontier town, Eagle Nest is situated on the shores of Eagle Nest Lake at over 8,200 feet above the sea level. Popular among hikers, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts, Eagle Nest offers great hiking trails, Native American heritage and crafts, and incredible views of the mountains that surround it.

Past Eagle Nest, the road will soon begin to twist itself into some steep curves and switchbacks. The road quality worsens a little between Angel Fire and Valle Escondido where the pavement is uneven and cracked, but it improves again around Shady Brook and offers really great riding all the way back to Taos. As you complete the Enchanted Circle Loop, you can either ride back to Santa Fe or continue west on Route 64 crossing the Carson National Forest, another stunning gem in New Mexico.

Rent a Motorcycle From EagleRider and Enjoy Silver City Loop - New Mexico Motorcycle Ride

8603 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, Nouveau Mexique  87112

New Mexico is a motorcycling paradise hiding in plain sight. Once home to the ancient Mogollon, Chaco, and Pueblo peoples, New Mexico was Navajo, Apache, and Comanche territory before the European settlers arrived in 1600s.

It is still home to several different Apache tribes and the Navajo Nation, as well as numerous Hispanic communities, and Albuquerque is the perfect place to start exploring this culturally diverse and intriguing state.

Founded in 1706 by Spanish conquistadors, today Albuquerque boasts a vibrant motorcycle culture, an historic Old Town, and plenty of scenic roads as well as Native American sites to explore. The best time to visit and ride here is August through to November when the weather is milder than during the scorching summer months.

The Silver City Loop, a 287-mile ride into the very heart of New Mexico’s backcountry, is jam-packed with scenic local byways, breathtaking lookout points, and ancient ruins to captivate your imagination. There will be plenty of gas and food stops along the way, but we highly recommend carrying extra water and sunscreen as the sun can be intense.

Here‘s what‘s not to miss along the way.

Emory Pass Vista

For the first 170 miles, the route will take you on Interstate 25 heading South. It’s a major highway with all the usual facilities and amenities along the way, and you can stop in Truth or Consequences for refreshments. Fifteen miles down the Interstate 25, there will be a turn off the highway onto Route 152 towards Hillsboro. This is where the adventure truly begins, as route 152 is a smaller, two-lane road twisting and turning across the southeastern tip of the Gila National Forest. Here, both sweeping curves and tight turns abound leading you higher into the mountain country with the typical New Mexico scenery of dry desert land and the foothills of rocky, sand-colored mountains around you.

32 miles after the turn, stop and explore Emory Pass Vista, a lookout point offering a magnificent view into the rugged rolling mountain plateau. There is a large parking lot and it’s a perfect spot to take in the scenery and to take a rest from riding.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

After Emory Pass, the road will continue to knot itself in turns and twists all the way to Silver City. From here, get on Highway 15, New Mexico’s best-kept motorcycling secret, and ride North admiring the rugged and arid scenery of canyons, mesas, and buttes covered in Ponderosa pine.

The road provides incredible drama with a mix of tight and fast corners, eventually leading to the Gila Cliff Dwellings site. There is a large parking area where you can park your bike and explore the ancient ruins on foot following a hiking trail.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings are comprised of two large ruin sites offering a glimpse into ancient history. Almost a millennium old, the Gila Cliff Dwellings are a network of cave homes created by the nomadic people of the ancient Mogollon Culture.

First discovered by Gila River gold prospectors in the 1800s, the Gila Cliff Dwellings soon became a recognized archeological site providing a unique view into a time when the world was much younger.

After a visit to the ruins, head back to Silver City enjoying the adrenaline-inducing twists of the road. Silver City is a great play to overnight before continuing on your journey or returning back to Albuquerque.