BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN IDAHO

ROUTE: US-12
DISTANCE: 205 miles
TIME: 3.5 hours

This portion of the Lewis & Clark Trail takes you through the Rocky Mountains of Idaho. US-12 winds through excellent scenery and well marked curves. The views of the Lochsa River are wonderful. The pavement quality is also very good. Riding up to Lolo Pass is a unique, awe-inspiring experience. From the pass, you can see beautiful views of the Montana mountain scenery. However, the ride itself is also enjoyable, featuring the smooth twisties and narrow roads many motorcyclists love. Although this is not one of the more well-known motorcycle roads in the country, many riders say this one surpasses them all for continuous curves, beauty, distance, quality of road and overall riding quality. This road made our list of the Top 10 Hidden Gems Motorcycle Roads for 2024. If you’re looking for an Idaho motorcycle road with never-ending twisties, straightaways and scenery, don’t miss this great Idaho motorcycle route!
(photo: got_to_roll)


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ROUTE: Old Spiral Hwy
DISTANCE: 7 miles
TIME: 15 mins

Just north of Idaho’s Clearwater River is a short but wild Idaho motorcycle road called Old Spiral Highway, which lives up to its name. This route “spirals” through 64 curves in 7 miles at about 2,000ft of elevation from Lewiston, Idaho, to Highway 95 near the Washington border. While Spiral Highway is very technical and definitely not a road for a beginner, the curves are fantastic and several of them are awesome sweepers that seem to go on forever. Your only complaint will be that this motorcycle road is far too short! Enjoy the great vistas as you carefully navigate these tight, hairpin turns on one of the best Idaho motorcycle rides!
(photo: Michael B.)


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ROUTE: St Joe River Rd
DISTANCE: 88 miles
TIME: 3.5 hours

Explore one of Idaho’s best motorcycle roads along the St Joe River’s edge​. Tight turns, along with big sweeping curves will make this a glorious backwoods adventure. Although there is about 12 miles of gravel road in Montana, the pavement is good in Idaho, and the scenery is fantastic. There are lots of blind corners, but fortunately you’ll find very little traffic on this truly great motorcycle road. St Joe River Road is named for the towering Cottonwoods which adorn the shore lines and picturesque mountain landscapes. Wildlife abounds along the river’s edge, where deer, elk, moose and bear can be seen, so motorcycle riders will want to be cautious and on alert for those. The St. Joe River Scenic Byway is truly a recreational treasure, and is one of the most scenic motorcycle rides in Idaho.
(photo: J. Abbot)


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ROUTES: US-26, ID-31
DISTANCE: 47 miles
TIME: 1 hour

If you’re looking for a stunning road with not much traffic, then the route from Victor to Alpine is one of the best motorcycle roads in Idaho for you. The POW-MIA Memorial Hwy runs along the Snake River past the Wyoming border into Alpine Junction, WY. The whole ride has everything from flat roads to curvy hills. There’s also a lot of wildlife to watch for, including mountain goats, deer and elk. Fall Creek Falls is just off the highway in Swan Valley and worth a look as well. ID-31 into Victor, ID will offer more fantastic mountainside motorcycle riding. This route is truly one of Idaho’s best motorcycle roads! For a longer loop ride, continue on one of Wyoming’s best motorcycle roads on Teton Pass, then down Hwy 89.


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ROUTES: ID-97, State Hwy 3, ID-5
DISTANCE: 74 miles
TIME: 2 hours

This part of Idaho’s country varies from open farms to shaded forests along this route starting in the Coeur d’Alene Lake area. Ride south along ID-97 for scenery of big mountains on one side and lake views on the other. It’s home to bald eagles as well as the largest population of nesting osprey in the Western States of America. While the Lake Coeur d’Alene Byway is only 35 miles, we’d recommend continuing south to St. Marie’s and back west in ID-5 into Plummer, ID. The scenery changes from the mountain lake views into rolling hillside farms as you merge onto Hwy 3 and west on ID-5. There’s fabulous scenery, and enough sweepers and twisties to keep you entertained. If you enjoy great scenery, lakes and rivers, wonderful local folks who are biker friendly, this is one of the best Idaho motorcycle rides for you!
(photo: M. Hanscom)


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ROUTES: ID-21, Hwy 17, ID-55
DISTANCE: 154 miles
TIME: 4 hours

What is the best motorcycle ride near Boise, Idaho? It’s this loop ride which takes you through the Boise National Forest. From Boise, follow Idaho Route 21 up to Lowman. This road will climb in elevation and has some technical curves heading downhill. Along the way the scenery will include overlooks of canyons, reservoirs and valleys. Lowman is a great place stop for lodging, before continuing along Hwy 17 to Banks, ten back south to Boise along ID-55. Idaho 55 runs alongside the Payette River in the northern section as you head into the forested region of the loop. In total, this trip will give you the combination of tight twisting roads, high speed sweepers all with beautiful scenery.


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ROUTE: Hells Canyon Rd
DISTANCE: 22 miles
TIME: 40 mins

The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is an amazing motorcycle route that winds along the east side of Hells Canyon, which is North America’s deepest river gorge. From start to finish, this ride provide motorcyclists fantastic views with dramatic scenery. The byway stretches for 22 miles as riders will get stunning views of the rugged canyon country landscape. It begins on Hells Canyon Rd near Copperfield, OR. The narrow road has several steep grades as it winds along the canyon’s towering walls. For a longer ride, cross the Oregon state line on State Hwy 86 into Baker City. OR-86 is one of the best motorcycle roads in Oregon. The scenery, as well as the challenge of the ride, will make Hells Canyon Rd a motorcycle ride you’ll never forget!
(photo: visitidaho.com)


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GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near Idaho and the Northwest United States. Discover more great motorcycle roads in the Northwest with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!