Fall is one of the best times of year to be on two wheels. Cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage, and quieter backroads make autumn the perfect season for exploring somewhere new. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, a scenic day ride, or a cross-country adventure, this Fall Rides & Destinations Guide is filled with inspiration to help you make the most of the riding season before winter arrives. Fuel up, point your front wheel toward the horizon, and discover your next unforgettable motorcycle journey.
Carbon County, WY Pages 41, 42
Pulaski County, MO Page 43
Zanesville, OH Page 43
Route 6, PA Page 44
Allegheny National Forest, PA Page 45
Bradford County, PA Page 45
Crawford County, PA Page 45
Canyon Motel, PA Page 45
Sherwood Motel, PA Page 45
Somerset/Pulaski County, KY Page 41
Few places embody the spirit of the American West like Carbon County, Wyoming. From sweeping high-desert highways to scenic mountain passes, the region offers endless opportunities to explore wide-open landscapes, historic towns, and breathtaking scenery. It’s the perfect destination for riders seeking solitude, adventure, and unforgettable miles on the open road.
The Midwest offers an ideal blend of scenic backroads, welcoming communities, and rich American history. Ride through the Ozarks in Pulaski County, Missouri, or explore the rolling hills and historic covered bridges near Zanesville, Ohio. From quiet country roads to vibrant small towns, the heartland is full of memorable motorcycle adventures.
The Northeast rewards riders with winding roads, forested mountains, and timeless small-town charm, especially through Pennsylvania. Cruise scenic Route 6, see the Allegheny National Forest, explore the quiet backroads of Bradford and Crawford counties, and unwind at classic roadside stays like Canyon Motel and Sherwood Motel.
From winding mountain roads to rolling farmland and scenic lakeshores, the South offers unforgettable motorcycle touring. Somerset in Pulaski County, Kentucky, is a perfect example, with quiet backroads, welcoming hospitality, and easy access to some of the region’s best riding, making it an ideal destination for riders seeking authentic Southern adventure.
Explore hundreds of ride stories, destination guides, and Favorite Rides covering every corner of the United States and beyond. Browse rides by state using Rider’s interactive map or search by region to discover scenic roads, national parks, historic highways, and unforgettable motorcycle destinations. You’ll also find in-depth Travel Guides featuring attractions, lodging, route suggestions, and practical planning tips to help you make the most of every trip.
Looking for your next bucket-list road? Searching for a scenic day ride close to home? Planning a multi-state tour? Rider’s expanding online library is regularly updated with fresh travel features, route ideas, and touring advice designed to help you discover new places on two wheels.
Whether you’re chasing mountain twisties, coastal highways, historic backroads, or America’s most iconic scenic byways, Rider is here to help you plan every mile. Visit RiderMagazine.com to find your next adventure, then fuel up, gear up, and hit the road with confidence.
Wyoming rewards those willing to go the distance. From deep canyons to steep climbs to sprawling prairies, one minute you’re working the curves, the next there’s nothing but a ribbon of concrete and the horizon ahead.
The Cowboy State’s scenic byways span four distinct regions: Salt to Stone, Black to Yellow, Park to Park, and Rockies to Tetons. Each offers unique landscapes, from mineral flats and sandstone canyons to rolling plains, forested mountains, and soaring peaks. Together they form a network of roads that feel less like turnpikes and more like transformative journeys, unfolding at their own pace and revealing the full breadth and beauty of the frontier.
As the seasons change, so does the ride. Aspens burst into gold, the air cools, and mornings smell of crisp dew and dry leaves. Light lingers lower in the sky, catching canyon walls and mountain faces at new angles. Tires crunch over scattered foliage, keeping you alert around every bend. Traffic thins as summer explorers return home, giving you the chance to claim the road. Even if it’s not your first rodeo, autumn offers fresh ways to experience the Wild West.
In northeastern Wyoming, where the Black Hills rise on the approach to Yellowstone, the Black to Yellow region feels expansive and powerful. Open plains give way to climbing elevations as the terrain shifts beneath you.
The Bighorn Scenic Byway sets the tone, ascending from small‑town Shell one deliberate turn at a time. The road bends past Granite Pass and Shell Falls, rising steadily into a quiet that deepens until it feels almost tangible. Pullouts appear and vanish, each revealing a wider view until the panorama finally unfolds. When it does, the vistas demand you slow down and take it all in, whether you planned to or not.
For some, that’s the destination. For others, the adventure is only gearing up as Red Gulch Alkali appears just off the main drag. Rough, rust‑colored and remote, this back route winds through badlands with no guardrails or clear boundaries. Loose gravel and sudden dips command full attention. It’s an untamed place existing as nature intended.
Across central Wyoming, the Park to Park corridor links Yellowstone to other early national parks – a historic passage where the past still shapes the drive. Expansive plains give way to more focused stretches, with roads that draw you in through both terrain and history.
Two distinct byways define the experience. One trades broad vistas for a tight, winding drive that makes you hold your breath, then sigh with relief. Wind River Canyon narrows quickly, cliffs rising high on both sides and cut by the river below. Every curve sharpens your focus until the passage suddenly widens and the road straightens enough to stretch your legs.
The other offers a steadier rhythm. Oregon Trail Scenic Byway rolls out in long, measured stints. What emerges isn’t spectacle, it’s perspective – a quiet understanding that people once crossed this land with far less certainty. Wagon ruts, distant landmarks, and enduring scale give context to the journey. One path tests your focus; the other lets you settle into a groove. Both reward with every mile.
In western Wyoming, the Rockies to Tetons region stretches from the Rocky Mountains to the Teton Range and onward to Yellowstone, following a path where elevation and epic proportions set the tone. The road rises to meet the mountains, carrying you from forested slopes to peaks that feel sharp and defined.
The Beartooth Scenic Byway leads the charge, climbing fast and unrelenting as switchbacks stack and the terrain opens wider with each turn. Above the treeline, the air sharpens, the horizon expands, and the drive dares you to keep up.
Farther along, Centennial Scenic Byway takes it easier. Crossing the Continental Divide, long rolling stretches lead toward Jackson Hole. Then, without warning, the Tetons appear – imposing and unforgettable.
In southern Wyoming, the Salt to Stone region marks the shift from mineral‑rich flats and basin country to towering red rock canyons, following terrain that hardens and rises beneath your wheels.
Flaming Gorge‑Green River Basin Scenic Byway runs exposed along cliffs that drop to the water, shaped by heat, wind, and distance. It’s dramatic in a way that feels quintessentially Western.
Nearby, Big Spring Scenic Backway offers a contrasting ride. Still vital to working locals – ranchers, farmers, homesteaders – it climbs and dips through terrain untouched for the modern rush. The rhythm reminds riders that life here moves at its own pace. The land sets the terms; you’re just passing through.
Wyoming byways don’t ask for much beyond a full tank and a sense of adventure. Come autumn, the state puts on a show no screen or city can compete with. Some stretches will challenge you. Others might change you. All of them leave you eager to see what the next season – and ride – will bring.
Not all road trips are created equal. Some offer such a variety of experiences and opportunities that they keep you coming back for more. That perfectly describes U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania, known locally as PA Route 6. Spanning 427 miles, Route 6 offers motorcyclists an unforgettable journey across the northern tier of the state.
From lush forests to picturesque farmlands, riders encounter a kaleidoscope of natural wonders at every turn. Beginning in the western half of the state, riders are treated to the wine country of the Great Lakes Region before riding through the Allegheny National Forest, where towering trees canopy the road. Farther east, cruise through the vast agricultural valleys of the Endless Mountains before heading on to the Pocono Mountains.
Explore all of this on one epic road trip or break it into several trips using the official “Take the High Road” Motorcycle Loop Map available through PA Route 6 Alliance. Its five signature motorcycle loops range in length from 189 to 270 miles and are designed to help riders truly experience what each region of PA Route 6 has to offer. Download maps and view itineraries at PARoute6.com/motorcycles.
Passing through quaint towns and villages, riders can explore charming main streets lined with historic buildings, cozy cafes, and antique shops. Each stop along the route unveils a piece of America’s heritage, starting with the Erie Canal in Erie County and the Kinzua Sky Walk in McKean County, which was once the tallest and longest railroad bridge in the world.
Journey on to the Austin Dam in Potter County, where 78 people were killed when the dam broke in 1911. Farther down the road, learn about train history at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Lackawanna County. And don’t forget a stop at The Columns in Pike County, where you can view the blood-stained Lincoln Flag that cushioned President Lincoln’s head moments after he was assassinated. These stops and many more help visitors experience not just the history of this region but of the nation.
Traveling along PA Route 6 exposes riders to the vibrant culture and hospitality of small communities. From festivals celebrating local traditions to roadside diners serving hearty comfort food, riders are immersed in the warmth of rural America. Friendly locals welcome riders with open arms, sharing stories and recommendations.
Make plans to visit the annual Warren County Fair in Pittsfield, right off Route 6, held Aug. 10-15, 2026. Celebrating its 95th year, the fair will have rodeo events, horse shows, truck and tractor pulls, entertainment, fireworks, and more.
Also on the PA Route 6 website, check out the Public Art & Mural Trail, which features dozens of murals and art displays that tell the stories of communities across the northern tier of Pennsylvania. All of these offer great opportunities to stretch your legs while learning more about this region.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to ride PA Route 6 is to create memories that will be cherished for years to come. Whether it’s watching a sunrise over the Allegheny Mountains, sharing a laugh with newfound friends at a roadside diner, or feeling the rush of the wind as you twist the throttle on a scenic stretch of road through the Endless Mountains, every moment along PA Route 6 is imbued with a sense of magic and wonder.
Riding a motorcycle along PA Route 6 is an experience that transcends mere transportation – it’s a journey of discovery, adventure, and camaraderie. So pack your saddlebags, fire up your engine, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime along PA Route 6!