Story by MARISA MCINTURFF
EXPLORE: MOAB, UTAH
A red sky surrounded by red rocks. Moab is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
A Red Rock Adventure for Every Motorcyclist
AT A GLANCE
Location: Moab, Utah Distance: Numerous routes from 30 to 300 + miles Ride Time: Half-day to multi-day adventures Best Direction to Ride: Loop rides from Moab Skill Level: Beginner( pavement) to advanced( technical off-road) Best Bike Type: Adventure, dual-sport, touring, sport-touring, cruiser
Known worldwide for its towering red rock formations, rugged Jeep trails, and national parks, Moab has earned a reputation as an off-road paradise. But what many street riders don’ t realize is that it’ s equally rewarding from the saddle of a touring bike, sport-tourer, cruiser, or adventure motorcycle. Smooth scenic highways weave through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the West, while countless dirt roads branch into remote canyons and overlooks that seem pulled from another planet.
Whether you’ re looking for sweeping pavement or challenging backcountry exploration, Moab delivers enough riding to fill a long weekend – or an entire vacation.
Most riders begin in downtown Moab, a lively outdoor town perched along the Colorado River. Restaurants, gear shops, breweries, and outfitters line Main Street, creating a welcoming basecamp where motorcycles are as common as mountain bikes and lifted 4x4s. During peak riding season, parking lots fill with machines from every corner of the country.
To the north, U. S. Highway 191 climbs toward the towering sandstone walls that frame Arches National Park. The dirt roads offer extra adventure for street-legal ADV bikes, but the paved road through Arches is one of Utah’ s finest scenic rides. Smooth pavement winds beneath massive fins, balanced rocks, and towering arches that glow orange beneath the desert sun. Short hikes from the parking areas reveal landmarks like Balanced Rock, Double Arch, and Delicate Arch, making this an easy half-day excursion.
RED ROCKS GALORE
To the South, Potash Road hugs the canyon walls as it follows the river beneath thousand-foot cliffs streaked with desert varnish. Ancient petroglyphs carved by Indigenous peoples appear high on the rock faces, while climbers scale sheer sandstone walls overhead. Eventually, the pavement gives way to dirt as the famous Shafer Trail descends from Canyonlands National Park. Adventure riders often continue onto the White Rim Trail, one of America’ s bucket-list offroad routes, though permits and preparation are essential.
Perhaps the best paved ride near Moab is State Route 128, often called one of the most beautiful highways in Utah. Beginning just north of town, the road twists alongside the Colorado River through a narrow canyon surrounded by soaring red cliffs. Gentle sweepers, light traffic, and endless photo opportunities make it a favorite among riders. Every bend seems to reveal another towering butte or sandstone spire rising from the desert floor.
52 / SEPTEMBER 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM