New York road guide
The best motorcycle roads in New York
The best motorcycle roads in New York start an hour from the city at Harriman, Bear Mountain and Storm King, then climb into the Catskills on NY 23A and NY 214, run the Delaware on NY 97 at Hawk's Nest, and spread across the Adirondacks, Lake George and the Finger Lakes. Here are 15 classics, from Long Island's North Fork to Whiteface Mountain, with the region, why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 15
- Regions
- 4
- Best months
- May to mid Oct
- Check before you go
- 511NY
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in New York
New York is huge, and its riding comes in layers. The lower Hudson Valley is the quick escape from the city. The Catskills and the Upper Delaware are a full day, with steep cloves and river ledges. The Adirondacks are a trip of their own: big mountains, lakes and long gaps between gas stations. The Finger Lakes and western New York add vineyards, gorges and waterfalls.
The farther north you go, the shorter the season, so match the road to the month. Check 511NY for closures before a long day. Our Hudson Valley ride guide maps the roads closest to the city, the New York riding overview covers the state, and the best time to ride in New York has the timing.
The Hudson Valley
The lower Hudson Valley: close to the city
- 1. Seven Lakes Drive and Perkins Memorial DriveWhy: Seven Lakes Drive strings together lake after lake through Harriman State Park, and the short spur up Perkins Memorial Drive ends at the Bear Mountain summit, looking down the Hudson. The closest real riding to New York City. Watch for: Cyclists, park police, damp shaded corners, and Perkins closing for the season or repairs. Best season: May to October.
- 2. US 9W and the Storm King Highway (NY 218)Why: US 9W follows the west bank of the Hudson, and NY 218 between West Point and Cornwall-on-Hudson is a narrow ledge road cut into Storm King Mountain with huge river views. Watch for: NY 218 closes for rockfall and repairs, sometimes for long stretches, so check first. Narrow lanes and stone walls. Best season: May to October.
- 3. NY 9D and the Bear Mountain BridgeWhy: Cross the Bear Mountain Bridge and NY 9D runs north along the east bank through Garrison and Cold Spring toward Beacon, below Breakneck Ridge. Add Bear Mountain Bridge Road south toward Peekskill for a ledge view of the river. Watch for: Hikers parked along 9D, weekend crowds in Cold Spring, and the bridge toll. Best season: April to November.
- 4. Taconic State ParkwayWhy: A parkway built for the view, climbing north from Westchester through Dutchess and Columbia counties toward the Capital Region. Cars only, with long sweepers, old stone overpasses and wide valley views. A relaxed way to cover miles. Watch for: Short on-ramps, at-grade crossings in the northern sections, no services on the parkway, and deer at dusk. Best season: April to November.
The Catskills
The Catskills and the Upper Delaware
- 5. NY 97 and the Hawk's NestWhy: The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway follows the river north from Port Jervis, and the Hawk's Nest section climbs onto a ledge high above the water, with stone walls and pull-offs. Then steady sweepers toward Narrowsburg and Hancock. Watch for: Enforcement, sightseers stopping at the pull-offs, and gravel after rain. Best season: May to October.
- 6. NY 23A through Kaaterskill CloveWhy: The Catskills' steepest, most dramatic climb. From Palenville the road claws up Kaaterskill Clove toward Haines Falls and Hunter, rock wall on one side and a creek far below on the other. Watch for: Tight bends, hikers parked and walking along the road near the Kaaterskill Falls trail, and water seeping across the pavement. Best season: May to October.
- 7. NY 214 through Stony CloveWhy: Runs through the narrow Stony Clove notch between Phoenicia and Hunter, past Devil's Tombstone campground. A short, twisty link that makes the classic loop with NY 23A and NY 28. Watch for: Narrow lanes, rough patches and summer crowds around Phoenicia. Best season: May to October.
- 8. NY 28 and NY 30 past the PepactonWhy: NY 28 runs west from Kingston past the Ashokan Reservoir and through Phoenicia to Margaretville, and NY 30 follows the long Pepacton Reservoir west of there. Quiet water and mountain views. Watch for: Trucks on NY 28, deer, and thin services past Margaretville. Best season: May to October.
The Adirondacks
The Adirondacks and Lake George
- 9. NY 73, Keene to Lake PlacidWhy: From Keene the road threads the High Peaks, squeezing between the Cascade Lakes and the cliffs before dropping into Lake Placid. Watch for: Cars parked on the shoulder at trailheads, hikers on the road, and cold mornings even in summer. Best season: June to early October.
- 10. Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway (NY 431)Why: A seasonal toll road from Wilmington up Whiteface Mountain, with switchbacks and views across the Adirondacks toward Lake Placid and Vermont. Watch for: Cold, wind and fog at the top, slow traffic, and the toll and seasonal hours. Best season: Summer and early fall, when it's open.
- 11. NY 30, the Adirondack TrailWhy: Runs north through the heart of the park past Speculator, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake and Tupper Lake, one lake after another through the forest. Pair it with NY 28 through Old Forge and Inlet for a big central loop. Watch for: Long gaps between gas, deer, and the occasional moose. Best season: June to early October.
- 12. NY 9N along Lake GeorgeWhy: Runs up the west shore of Lake George through Bolton Landing, then over the twisty Tongue Mountain stretch toward Hague and Ticonderoga, with the lake below. Americade's home roads. Watch for: Summer weekend and rally-week traffic in the villages, and tight bends on Tongue Mountain. Best season: June to early October.
Finger Lakes, west and Long Island
The Finger Lakes, western New York and Long Island
- 13. NY 89 along Cayuga LakeWhy: Follows the west shore of Cayuga Lake north from Ithaca past Taughannock Falls toward Seneca Falls, rolling through vineyards with the lake beside you. Watch for: Wine tour traffic, cars turning into wineries, and farm equipment. Best season: May to October.
- 14. Letchworth State ParkWhy: The park road runs along the rim of the Genesee River gorge south of Rochester, often called the Grand Canyon of the East, with overlooks of three big waterfalls. Watch for: The park entry fee, slow sightseeing traffic, and crowds on fall weekends. Best season: May to October.
- 15. NY 25 to Orient PointWhy: On Long Island's North Fork, NY 25 runs east past farm stands and vineyards through Southold and Greenport to Orient Point, where the ferry leaves for New London. Ride across and keep going on the Connecticut riding page. Watch for: Weekend winery and farm stand traffic, and slow going in Greenport. Best season: May to June, September to October.
Summary
New York motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Lakes and Perkins Drive | Hudson Valley | May to Oct |
| US 9W and Storm King (NY 218) | Hudson Valley | May to Oct |
| NY 9D and Bear Mountain Bridge | Hudson Valley | Apr to Nov |
| Taconic State Parkway | Hudson Valley | Apr to Nov |
| NY 97, Hawk's Nest | Upper Delaware | May to Oct |
| NY 23A, Kaaterskill Clove | Catskills | May to Oct |
| NY 214, Stony Clove | Catskills | May to Oct |
| NY 28 and NY 30, Pepacton | Catskills | May to Oct |
| NY 73 to Lake Placid | Adirondacks | Jun to early Oct |
| Whiteface Memorial Highway | Adirondacks | Summer to early fall |
| NY 30, Adirondack Trail | Adirondacks | Jun to early Oct |
| NY 9N, Lake George | Adirondacks | Jun to early Oct |
| NY 89, Cayuga Lake | Finger Lakes | May to Oct |
| Letchworth State Park | Western New York | May to Oct |
| NY 25 to Orient Point | Long Island | May to Jun, Sep to Oct |
Make them count
Ride New York's classic roads with Rippin'
The list from the app below shows the New York roads riders have added so far. If yours isn't there, add it: ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment, then drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it, and it goes live with your name on it. More on segments and leaderboards and how roads get added.
A segment board is about who rides a road and who owns it, never a race. Rippin' doesn't reward speed on public roads, and Hawk's Nest, Storm King and the Kaaterskill Clove are famous for enforcement anyway.
Loops claim turf. Climb NY 23A up Kaaterskill Clove, drop down NY 214 through Stony Clove, and come back east on NY 28, and the land inside that classic Catskills loop becomes your turf on the live map. Read how Turf Wars works.
Live from the app
New York on Rippin' right now.
3 upcoming events and 5 rider-added roads in New York on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in New York?
Riders who know the state usually name the Hawk's Nest on NY 97, Storm King on NY 218 and the Kaaterskill and Stony cloves in the Catskills. For a big trip, the Adirondacks on NY 73, NY 30 and NY 9N.
What are the best motorcycle rides near New York City?
Seven Lakes Drive and Bear Mountain in Harriman State Park, US 9W and Storm King, NY 9D through Cold Spring, and the Taconic Parkway. The Palisades Parkway from New Jersey is the fast way north.
Is the Storm King Highway open?
It closes at times for rockfall and repairs, sometimes for long stretches. Check 511NY or the state DOT before you plan a ride around it.
What is the best motorcycle ride in the Adirondacks?
NY 73 from Keene to Lake Placid, the Whiteface Memorial Highway when it's open, and a loop on NY 30 and NY 28 through the central lakes. Fill up whenever you can.
What are the best motorcycle roads in the Finger Lakes?
NY 89 along Cayuga Lake, the roads around Seneca Lake, and the park road at Letchworth State Park to the west.
Can I add these New York roads to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a New York classic on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride Hawk's Nest or the Catskill cloves with it recording, and add the road. Your name stays on it.
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