Utah road guide

The best motorcycle roads in Utah, from red rock to alpine lakes

The best motorcycle roads in Utah run from slickrock canyons to alpine lakes: Scenic Byway 12 over the Hogback, UT 24 through Capitol Reef, UT 95 across the Colorado River, US 163 into Monument Valley, and Wasatch canyon roads like the Alpine Loop and the Mirror Lake Highway. Here are 15 classics, grouped by region, with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.

Roads listed: 15
Regions: 4
Highest pass here: Over 10,000 ft
Check before you go: UDOT Traffic

Before you pick

How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Utah

Utah is two riding states in one. The south is canyon country: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches and Monument Valley, linked by empty two-lanes with long gaps between towns. The north is the Wasatch and the Uintas: short, steep canyon roads within an hour of Salt Lake City, many of them closed by snow in winter. The Utah state guide has the overview. This page goes road by road.

Season decides everything here. Desert roads around St. George, Zion and Moab are best in spring and fall, and the roads above 9,000 feet are mostly summer-only. See the best time to ride in Utah and check UDOT Traffic before a mountain ride. National parks charge entry fees, and some have used timed-entry reservations in busy months, so check the park too.

South-central Utah

Scenic Byway 12 and canyon country

1. Scenic Byway 12 (UT 12)Why: About 120 miles from US 89 near Panguitch to Torrey, through the rock arches in Red Canyon, past Bryce Canyon and the Escalante canyons, along the Hogback ridge and over Boulder Mountain above 9,000 feet. Many riders call it the best road in the state. Watch for: The Hogback between Escalante and Boulder, a narrow ridge with steep drops on both sides and no shoulder; deer and open-range cattle; snow and ice on Boulder Mountain early and late in the season. Best season: May to October.
2. UT 24 through Capitol ReefWhy: From Torrey through Capitol Reef National Park, past the Fruita orchards and along the Fremont River, then out across gray badlands to Hanksville. Ride UT 24 west from Torrey and US 89 back to Panguitch and you've closed a loop with UT 12. Watch for: Slow park traffic, blowing sand near Hanksville and few services. Best season: April to June and September to October.
3. Burr Trail Road from BoulderWhy: From the town of Boulder on UT 12, the Burr Trail is paved for roughly 30 miles east through the red walls of Long Canyon toward Capitol Reef. As an out-and-back side trip, it's one of the best hours you can spend on a bike in Utah. Watch for: The pavement ends near the Capitol Reef boundary, where gravel switchbacks drop down the Waterpocket Fold. Turn around there on a street bike. Sand in the corners and cattle. Best season: Spring and fall.
4. Bicentennial Highway (UT 95)Why: Hanksville to Blanding through empty canyon country, crossing the Colorado River on the bridge at Hite above the upper end of Lake Powell. Long sweepers, red cliffs and almost no traffic. Natural Bridges National Monument is a short detour on UT 275. Watch for: Fuel. Plan as if there's none between Hanksville and Blanding. Heat in summer and wildlife at dusk. Best season: April to June and September to October.
5. US 163 to Monument ValleyWhy: From Bluff through Mexican Hat to the Arizona line, with the famous straight-road view of the buttes on the way in. Monument Valley itself is on Navajo Nation land with its own fees and rules. Watch for: Drivers stopped in the road for that photo, crosswinds and summer heat. Nearby UT 261's Moki Dugway is steep gravel switchbacks, not a street-bike road. Best season: Spring and fall.

Moab

Roads around Moab

The main road through Arches National Park is short and spectacular. The park has used timed-entry reservations in its busy season, so check before you ride up to the gate.

6. Colorado River Scenic Byway (UT 128)Why: From Moab up the Colorado River between red canyon walls, past the Castle Valley turnoff and the Fisher Towers, to I-70 near Cisco. A river road with a canyon for a ceiling. Watch for: Cyclists, raft-shuttle traffic, tight bends along the river and rockfall. Best season: March to May and September to November.
7. La Sal Mountain Loop RoadWhy: A paved loop that climbs from Castle Valley into the La Sal Mountains, above 8,000 feet, then drops back toward Moab with views over the red rock and Arches below. Cool air when the valley is baking. Watch for: Narrow, steep switchbacks with no center line, open-range cattle, and snow; it can close in winter. Best season: Late spring to fall.
8. UT 313 to Island in the SkyWhy: North of Moab, UT 313 climbs a sweeping grade onto the mesa and runs out to Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands' Island in the Sky district, with overlooks high above the Green and Colorado rivers. Watch for: National park and state park fees, slow traffic at the overlooks and summer heat. Best season: Spring and fall.

Southwest Utah

Zion and the Cedar City high country

9. Zion to Mount Carmel Highway (UT 9)Why: Switchbacks climb out of Zion Canyon to the long tunnel through the cliff, then onto the slickrock and Checkerboard Mesa on the east side. Short, but one of the best park roads anywhere. Watch for: Park fees, heavy summer traffic, the dark tunnel (take sunglasses off before you enter) and large vehicles waiting for tunnel escorts. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive itself is shuttle-only much of the year. Best season: March to May and September to November.
10. UT 14 from Cedar City, and UT 148 at Cedar BreaksWhy: From Cedar City up Cedar Canyon to near 10,000 feet, past Navajo Lake and down to US 89 at Long Valley Junction. Add UT 148 along the rim of Cedar Breaks National Monument and its red amphitheater. Watch for: Long grades, deer, cold up top and snow. UT 148 closes for winter, and UT 14 can be snowy for much of the year. Best season: June to September.
11. Brian Head to Panguitch Lake (UT 143)Why: From Parowan, a steep climb up to the ski town of Brian Head near 10,000 feet, then across forest and black lava fields to Panguitch Lake and down to Panguitch. Ride it with UT 14 and US 89 for a big high-country loop. Watch for: Very steep grades out of Parowan, cold air, deer and snow outside summer. Best season: June to September.

Northern Utah

The Wasatch canyons and the Uintas

Two more for the north: Big Cottonwood Canyon from Salt Lake City, with Guardsman Pass over to Park City in summer, and the Flaming Gorge Uintas Scenic Byway on US 191 north of Vernal, with signs naming the rock layers as you climb.

12. Alpine Loop Scenic Byway (UT 92)Why: Up American Fork Canyon under Mount Timpanogos, over the top in aspen forest, and down past Sundance to Provo Canyon. The best after-work ride on the Wasatch Front. Watch for: Narrow lanes, tight hairpins with no center line, cars cutting corners, cyclists and a fee booth in American Fork Canyon. Closed in winter. Best season: June to early October, with color in late September.
13. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (UT 150)Why: From Kamas up into the Uintas past dozens of lakes and over Bald Mountain Pass above 10,000 feet, then down toward Evanston, Wyoming. Pine forest, granite and cool air in July. Watch for: Cold at the top, snowbanks into early summer, deer and moose, and a recreation fee if you stop. The upper road is closed in winter. Best season: July to September.
14. Nebo Loop Scenic BywayWhy: From Payson to Nephi around the flank of Mount Nebo, the highest peak in the Wasatch, past the red formations at Devil's Kitchen. Quiet, curvy and less busy than the Alpine Loop. Watch for: Narrow pavement, gravel in the corners, cattle and deer. Closed in winter. Best season: June to October.
15. Logan Canyon Scenic Byway (US 89)Why: From Logan up the canyon along the Logan River, over the summit and down to the big turquoise view of Bear Lake at Garden City. Flowing curves on a well-kept road. Watch for: Deer at dusk, summer lake traffic and snow at the summit outside summer. Best season: June to September, with color in late September.

Summary

Utah motorcycle roads at a glance

Road	Region	Best season
Scenic Byway 12	South-central	May to Oct
UT 24 through Capitol Reef	South-central	Spring and fall
Burr Trail (paved section)	South-central	Spring and fall
UT 95	Southeast	Spring and fall
US 163 to Monument Valley	Southeast	Spring and fall
UT 128	Moab	Mar to May, Sep to Nov
La Sal Mountain Loop	Moab	Late spring to fall
UT 313 to Island in the Sky	Moab	Spring and fall
UT 9 through Zion	Southwest	Mar to May, Sep to Nov
UT 14 and UT 148	Southwest	Jun to Sep
UT 143	Southwest	Jun to Sep
Alpine Loop	Wasatch	Jun to early Oct
Mirror Lake Highway	Uintas	Jul to Sep
Nebo Loop	Wasatch	Jun to Oct
Logan Canyon	Northern Utah	Jun to Sep

In the app

Rider-added Utah roads in Rippin'

Below are the Utah roads riders have added to Rippin' so far. If one of these classics is missing, add it. Ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. Read how roads get added.

Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads. A segment board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. Bonneville is for speed. The Hogback is for keeping your eyes on the road.

Loops claim turf too. The Alpine Loop down Provo Canyon and back up the valley to American Fork closes a loop, and the land inside becomes yours on the live map. So does the big UT 12 and UT 24 circuit, and most of that ground is unclaimed.

Live from the app

Utah on Rippin' right now.

7 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Utah on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.

EventsRider roads

No Utah roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.

FAQ

Questions riders ask.

What is the best motorcycle road in Utah?

Scenic Byway 12 between Panguitch and Torrey tops most lists, especially the Hogback and Boulder Mountain. UT 24 through Capitol Reef, UT 95 and the Alpine Loop are close behind.

Is the Hogback on Utah 12 safe on a motorcycle?

It's paved and fine at a sensible pace, but it's a narrow ridge with steep drops and no shoulder. Watch for wind and keep your eyes on the road, not the view.

When does the Alpine Loop open?

It closes for winter and usually opens in late spring once the snow is cleared. Exact dates depend on the year, so check UDOT before you go.

Can you ride a motorcycle through Zion?

Yes, on UT 9 through the park and the tunnel. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only for much of the year, so private vehicles can't ride it then.

Is there fuel on Utah 95?

Plan as if there isn't. Fill up in Hanksville or Blanding before you start, and carry water in summer.

Can I add Utah 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 Utah classic on the map.

Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.

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