Tucson & Southern Arizona motorcycle rides
The best motorcycle roads around Tucson & Southern Arizona.
Tucson riding is mountains on every side: Mt Lemmon to the north, Gates Pass to the west, Kitt Peak and Madera Canyon a short ride out, and the grassland roads through Sonoita and Patagonia to the south.
- Roads in the app
- None yet
- Added by
- Riders like you
- Best season
- October to April
- New-rider pick
- Sonoita and Patagonia, or Gates Pass on a weekday
The classics
The roads Tucson & Southern Arizona riders name first.
Numbers match the map. Where one's already in Rippin', it links straight to it.
-
Mt Lemmon (Catalina Highway)
From the northeast edge of Tucson up to Summerhaven, around 8,000 feet, from saguaros to pines. Often 20 degrees or more cooler on top.
Watch for Lots of cyclists, enforcement, rock in the corners, and closures for fire or snow. Check az511.com.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
-
Gates Pass
Over the Tucson Mountains west of town, then Kinney Road past Saguaro National Park West.
Watch for Tight corners, sightseers and the sunset crowd at the overlook.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
-
Kitt Peak (SR 386)
West on SR 86, then a long climb up to the observatory at around 6,800 feet.
Watch for Long distances with no services, wildlife, and it's on Tohono O'odham Nation land, so ride respectfully.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
-
Sonoita & Patagonia (SR 83 & SR 82)
Rolling grassland and wine country south of Tucson. A relaxed loop.
Watch for Open range cattle, deer and long gaps between fuel.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
-
Madera Canyon
From Green Valley up into the Santa Rita Mountains for shade and cooler air. An out-and-back.
Watch for Weekend crowds, parked cars and pedestrians near the top.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
-
Tombstone to Bisbee (SR 80)
The old mining towns, through the Mule Pass Tunnel into Bisbee.
Watch for Tourist traffic in town and narrow streets in Bisbee.
Not in the app yet. Ride it and add it.
In Rippin' now
No rider has added a road here yet.
Every road in Rippin' comes from a rider. Ride one of the classics above with the app recording, then draw its start and finish gates in Segments. A person on our team checks it, and if it's approved it goes live with your name on it. How roads get added.
Before you ride
What locals would tell you.
- Ride Mt Lemmon early. Beat the heat, the traffic and the cyclists, and check az511.com for closures first.
- Carry water and fuel. Kitt Peak, Sonoita and Bisbee have long empty stretches between towns.
- Respect tribal land. Kitt Peak sits on the Tohono O'odham Nation. Stay on the road and follow posted rules.
- Monsoon afternoons are real. From mid-June to September, plan to be home before storms build. Washes flood fast.
Events
Easy rides to say yes to.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
Usually in May, with a Tucson ride. Register on the DGR site for the date and route.
DGR →Road conditions before you ride
Mt Lemmon and the mountain roads can close for fire, storms or snow.
AZ511 →Arizona events on Rippin'
Run to the Rez, the Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion, Supercross and bike nights.
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 Tucson & Southern Arizona?
Tucson riding is mountains on every side: Mt Lemmon to the north, Gates Pass to the west, Kitt Peak and Madera Canyon a short ride out, and the grassland roads through Sonoita and Patagonia to the south. The classics on this page: Mt Lemmon (Catalina Highway), Gates Pass, Kitt Peak (SR 386), Sonoita & Patagonia (SR 83 & SR 82), Madera Canyon, Tombstone to Bisbee (SR 80).
What's a good Tucson & Southern Arizona ride for a newer rider?
Sonoita and Patagonia, or Gates Pass on a weekday. Save the technical roads for when you're comfortable, and ride them early before traffic builds.
When is the best time to ride around Tucson & Southern Arizona?
October to April. Mt Lemmon is the summer escape. Check it for snow in winter.
Does Rippin' have Tucson & Southern Arizona roads in the app?
Not yet. Every road in Rippin' is added by a rider, so the first one around Tucson & Southern Arizona could be yours: open Segments, tap Create a Segment, drop the start and finish gates and send it in.
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 Tucson & Southern Arizona with Rippin'.
Download the app, ride the roads above with it recording, and add the ones we're missing. Every mile earns points.