Motorcycling Through Arches National Park: Scenic Drives to Take

Motorcycling in Arches National Park gives you a share of the breathtaking scenery at only $25 per motorcycle. The ride is about 18 miles. This is an exciting way to enjoy the beautiful arches, dunes, and rock pinnacles found in the area. Motorcycling in Arches National Park is the ultimate experience you will remember.

Depending on how old your bike is you can add to your riding adventure by securing a motorcycle loan. This article gives an ultimate guide to the scenic drives you can take while enjoying your motorcycling experience at Arches.

1. The Moab Fault

As you ride from the visitors’ center, this scenic drive is located on the right, close to the switchbacks. Highway 191 below shows evidence of a magnificent shift in the geologic landscape. Across this viewpoint and above the Arches visitor center, you will see a diagonal line separating lower wavy rocks from the smooth cliff vertically above.

Also, the overlook provides a view of small fault lines indicating where individual rock layers once lined up horizontally. This viewpoint is easily accessible from your motorcycle, just along the roadside. There is also paved roadside parking.

2. The Park Place

After the Moab Fault, the next stop is Park Avenue which is on the left side along the Arches scenic drive. It is an approximately one-mile canyon that has a hiking trail along it. At this point, you can get off your motorcycle and hike this short trail. However, you can avoid hiking this place as you can also enjoy a beautiful canyon view in the comfort of your motorcycle.

You can also ride a little further to North Park Avenue, where the Three Gossips, Queen Victoria Rock, the Organ, the Tower of Babel, and the Courthouse Towers are visible. These are some wonderful and famous features that you can photograph. However, there is a noticeable difference when actually hiking through these features.

3. La Sal Mountain Viewpoint

La Sal Mountain viewpoint is also a short distance into the scenic drive through Arches. It offers a beautiful 360-degree view of red rocks inside and outside the park. It also has well-paved parking and a sidewalk. From this viewpoint, you can easily see the Balanced Rock, Windows Section, and Courthouse towers. It is an ideal viewpoint while taking a motorcycle ride during sunrise and sunset.

4. Courthouse Towers and Trailhead

After riding past the visitor center, you will come across the Courthouse Towers area. The area has some incredible rock formations. Sandstone features also surround it. Some nearby towers are the Sheep Rock, the Organ, and the Tower of Babel. From this viewpoint, you can also see a small arch known as the Baby Arch, which is on the left side of the Sheep Rock. It is an amazingly scenic drive to take when motorcycling during the sunrise as the sunshine spread glows on the unique rock formation.

5. Balanced Rock

This is another scenic drive to take when motorcycling through Arches. This viewpoint provides an excellent view of the Petrified Dunes Viewpoint. It is an iconic feature that is 128 feet and is located near the middle of Arches and on the east side of Willow Springs Trail. As the name suggests, you will see a large rock balanced on a narrow stone base under it at Balanced Rock. The balancing rock is believed to be as large as three school buses.

6. Garden of Eden

On your motorcycling experience, you can’t miss the scenic drive to the Garden of Eden on the way to the Windows area. This is a popular drive for rock climbing, site watching, and photographing. Near the Garden of Eden parking lot is the Owl Rock, a giant stone that is a great place to watch the valley below. It is also important for you to know that this is a rare find at arches, as most people miss out on this spot.

7. Windows Section

Many arches surround this scenic drive, which is considered one of the most scenic places to motorcycle through at Arches. At this point, you will enjoy the thrilling beauty of the North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch.

8. Delicate Arch

This scenic drive is a must-take when motorcycling through the Arches. Unfortunately, it cannot be viewed from the main road, and you will have to take a short walk of about 100 yards to see the arch. To get the full view of the Delicate Arch, you will need to hike for around three miles which is usually an uphill task of close to one and a half hours. You can also get a clearer view of the arch by riding towards the overlooks.

9. Fiery Furnace

When motorcycling on the main road, you will first pass the Salt Valley overlook before reaching the Fiery Furnace. It is a scenic drive for you to see the incredible fins and spire. This place requires you to pay an extra fee for a guided tour.

10. Sand Dune and Broken Arch

Sand Dune and Broken Arch are other exciting places along the Arches scenic drive. As the name suggests, Sand Dune has quite a bit of sand around it, a collection of wind-driven sand at its bottom.

Most hikers remove their shoes to enjoy the cool sand between their tired toes. Sand Dune lies just 0.2 miles from the Broken Arch Trailhead, on a small spur trail.

Broken Arch isn’t really broken, but it’s wearing thin along the lintel. It’s still standing and lies along the east end of the Broken Arch Trail, 0.83 miles from the parking lot on the load.

11. Skyline Arch

This scenic drive is situated on high rocks around the Devils Garden area. Luckily, the Skyline Arch is visible from the road, and you do not need to get off your motorcycle. It is also an ideal site for short evening hikes as it covers an area of about 0.5 hikes.

12. Devil’s Garden

The last but not least scenic drive to take when motorcycling through the Arches is the Devil's Garden. From here, you view massive fins, arches, and spires, and the area offers breathtaking camping, stargazing, and hiking of all skill levels. It is also a popular picnic area as beautiful landscapes surround it. If you are also willing to spend the night at Arches, this area has a campground with nice restrooms and showers.

Bottom line

If you find yourself visiting Utah, consider motorcycling through the Arches National Park. This will be an ideal opportunity for you to view the amazing landscapes from the back of your bike and hike the park where necessary. With the varying terrain, this is a unique place to enjoy your motorcycling experience and unwind from the busy city life.