Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley motorcycle rides
The best motorcycle roads around Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley.
Phoenix riding starts at the edge of the Valley: the Apache Trail and the Bush Highway to the east, Cave Creek and Bartlett Lake to the north, and the Beeline Highway up to Payson when it's time to escape the heat.
- Roads in the app
- 1
- Miles mapped
- 18
- Best season
- October to April
- New-rider pick
- The Bush Highway to Saguaro Lake on a weekday morning
The classics
The roads Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley riders name first.
Numbers match the map. Where one's already in Rippin', it links straight to it.
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Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat (SR 88)
Paved curves from Apache Junction past Canyon Lake to the old stagecoach stop at Tortilla Flat, with the Superstitions as the backdrop.
Watch for Weekend crowds and boat trailers. East of Tortilla Flat it turns to dirt and has had long closures, so check az511.com.
In Rippin’ Tortilla Flat · 18.4 mi → -
Bush Highway & Saguaro Lake
A short, flowing run along the Salt River from Mesa to Saguaro Lake. Add Usery Pass Road for an easy loop.
Watch for Summer river traffic, wild horses near the river, cyclists and enforcement.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
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Bartlett Lake Road
Winding desert road from the Cave Creek and Carefree side down to Bartlett Lake, saguaros all the way.
Watch for Boat trailers on weekends, no services and heat at the bottom.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
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Cave Creek & Carefree
Cave Creek Road into the old-west town of Cave Creek and over to Carefree. The north Valley's Saturday morning ride.
Watch for Weekend traffic, pedestrians in town and busy parking lots.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
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Beeline Highway (SR 87) to Payson
From Fountain Hills through the Mazatzal Mountains into the pines at Payson, around 5,000 feet.
Watch for Heavy Sunday traffic back to the Valley, crosswinds and enforcement.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
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US 60 to Superior & Globe
East past Florence Junction, through Superior and the Queen Creek tunnel just east of town and on to Globe.
Watch for Trucks on the grades, construction zones and heat.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
In Rippin' now
1 road you can ride and rank today.
Every one was added by a rider and checked by a person on our team. Each opens on Rippin' Live with the route, distance and leaderboard. How roads get added.
Before you ride
What locals would tell you.
- Summer is a dawn sport. Leave at first light and be home by mid-morning, or ride up to Payson.
- Check the Apache Trail before you go. The paved ride ends at Tortilla Flat. Past it, closures come and go, so check az511.com.
- Watch for wildlife near the river. Wild horses graze near the Salt River along the Bush Highway.
- Monsoon changes plans fast. From mid-June to September, afternoon storms bring flash floods and dust. Never ride into a flooded wash.
Events
Easy rides to say yes to.
Arizona Bike Week
Every spring at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Check the organizer for this year's dates.
Arizona Bike Week →The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
Usually in May, in Phoenix and Tucson. Register on the DGR site for the date and route.
DGR →AMA Supercross 2027, Round 6
Feb 13, 2027 at State Farm Stadium, Glendale. On the Rippin' events map.
Arizona events →
Ride it with Rippin'
Record it, rank it, bring the crew.
- Record the ride. Tap Record and ride. Every mile pays points, and segments time themselves.
- Loop a road to claim turf. Ride a loop and the territory inside it is yours until someone takes it.
- Plan it with your squad. Meet spot, roll-out time and a ping to the riders most likely to say yes.
- Add the road we're missing. Draw the start and finish gates in Segments. A person checks it, and approved roads go live with your name on them.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What are the best motorcycle roads in Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley?
Phoenix riding starts at the edge of the Valley: the Apache Trail and the Bush Highway to the east, Cave Creek and Bartlett Lake to the north, and the Beeline Highway up to Payson when it's time to escape the heat. The classics on this page: Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat (SR 88), Bush Highway & Saguaro Lake, Bartlett Lake Road, Cave Creek & Carefree, Beeline Highway (SR 87) to Payson, US 60 to Superior & Globe.
What's a good Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley ride for a newer rider?
The Bush Highway to Saguaro Lake on a weekday morning. Save the technical roads for when you're comfortable, and ride them early before traffic builds.
When is the best time to ride around Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley?
October to April. Summer means dawn rides or heading up to Payson and the Rim.
Does Rippin' have Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley roads in the app?
Yes. Riders have added 1 road around Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley so far, each checked by a person on our team and each with a route, distance and leaderboard on Rippin' Live.
Can I add a road that's missing?
Yes. Open Segments in the app, tap Create a Segment, drop the start and finish gates, trace the line and send it in. A person on our team checks every road, and approved roads go live with your name on them.
Ride Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley with Rippin'.
Download the app, ride the roads above with it recording, and add the ones we're missing. Every mile earns points.