BEST TEXAS MOTORCYCLE RIDES | TOP 10 LIST
The Best Roads Are Here
What Are The Top 10 Best Motorcycle Rides In Texas?
- Big Bend National Park (59 miles)
- Marble Falls to Tom Hughes Park (58 miles)
- Three Twisted Sisters (112 miles)
- Willow City Loop (21 miles)
- FM170 - The River Road (115 miles)
- Kerville to Bandera (37 miles)
- Route 39 (35 miles)
- Hurstown to Newton (76 miles)
- Highway 149 (33 miles)
- Park Road 4 (16 miles)
Motorcycle Rides Near Me In Texas
Below is our detailed top 10 list of the best Texas motorcycle roads! Ride through open plains and natural wonders on these great motorcycle rides in the Lone Star State. As the second-largest state in the country, there's a lot to see while riding your motorcycle here. Check out these TX rides which feature National Parks, majestic waterfalls and fantastic scenic routes. Click on each Texas motorcycle map link for the direct Google Maps route. These are the best motorcycle routes in Texas!
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Tips For Texas Motorcycle Rides
Looking for places to ride motorcycles in Texas? Due to the sheer size of the state, Texas has a wide range of climates. In summer, temperatures and humidity are very high on these roads. Mesh-style motorcycle jackets and pants can help provide maximum airflow, as well as various types of cooling vests. Thanks to the pleasant spring and autumn seasons, normal leathers will be comfortable to wear. And typical four-season riding gear is best for riding most of these Texas motorcycle routes in the winter.
Do I Need To Wear A Motorcycle Helmet In Texas?
As you discover these scenic motorcycle rides in Texas, keep in mind there is a partial helmet law here. Helmets are required for any rider under the age of 21. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Riders over the age of 21 may ride without a helmet if they are over 21, properly insured and meet an eligible helmet exemption. Read more at txdot.gov
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
FM170, Santa Elena Canyon Rd
DISTANCE: 59 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
The Big Bend area is certainly spectacular riding, and this is one of the best motorcycle roads in Texas. From west to east, the ride itself is a nice ascent into the mountains. Start this route on FM170 from Lajitas and follow to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It's an incredibly scenic ride, with mountains, valleys, hills and curves. The tail end of this route leads along the Rio Grande to the amazing Santa Elena Canyon Overlook. The Chisos Basin area of the park has some winding switchbacks and has monumental rock formations to ride through as well. Extend this route to the nearby Big Bend National Park entrance for a longer ride.
(Photos: neilpeart.net)
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MARBLE FALLS TO TOM HUGHES PARK
Route 1431, 2769, Lime Creek Rd, Bullick Hollow Rd
DISTANCE: 58 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
Much of this motorcycle ride in Texas carves around the Colorado River just north of Austin. Start your route in Four Points, TX which is just outside the north west side of Austin next to Lake Travis, and leads to Marble Falls. There are some very technical curves and hairpin turns along the western side of this motorcycle route, making it a fun challenge for more experienced motorcycle riders. Long portions of the Anderson Mill part of the ride have new pavement as of 2023, which makes for a huge improvement. Enjoy this exciting motorcycle ride with turn after turn, multiple hills, and great scenery.
(Photo: reddit)
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THREE TWISTED SISTERS
TX-41, 337, 335, 336
DISTANCE: 112 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
Locals call this great motorcycle ride Texas' own 'Tail of the Dragon', and for good reason. These roads carve and twist among clear rivers, through the dense green hills of Central Texas. There's constant switchbacks for miles, sweeping curves looking out over some nice vistas and some nice downhill curves - all of which offers motorcyclists an extremely technical, fun ride to navigate. Most motorcyclists agree that spring time is the best season to ride here as far as the scenery. The flowers are in bloom everywhere and the colors are terrific.
There was some recent construction that blocked some of this loop, but the work has been completed and is ready to enjoy for the 2023 motorcycle riding season. Enjoy this roller coaster road through some of the best scenery in Texas!
(Photos: T. Bradsaw / ridetexas.com)
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WILLOW CITY LOOP
DISTANCE: 21 miles
TIME: 40 mins
A few miles outside of Fredricksburg in Central Texas is the 21 mile Willow City Loop. Known for its spectacular wildlife scenery, Willow City Loop in is a beautiful journey through the open range. Take this ride for a unique combination of small, rural back road with incredible scenery, with few cross roads or intersections. Weekend traffic on this loop can be heavy with sightseers, so early mornings or weekdays will be a better ride on this TX motorcycle road through the rugged, awe inspiring Texas Hill Country.
(Photos: R. Von Liski / bikerintexas)
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FM170 - THE RIVER ROAD
DISTANCE: 115 miles
TIME: 3 hours
Starting in the tiny far western community of Candelaria is Farm Road 170, a highway which offers adventurous motorcyclists the opportunity to travel along the western Texas border. 170 is also known to locals as "The River Road," because part of it skirts along the U.S. Side of the Rio Grande River. Ride along this Texas motorcycle road through ghost towns and the mountainous Big Bend Ranch State Park with steep inclines and sharp turns. In fact, in some spots, there are rollercoaster-like elevation changes while the Rio Grande is often visible from the roadside. This route can be extended by continuing onto Santa Elena Canyon Road past the western portion of Big Bend National Park.
(Photos: solsalute.com)
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KERVILLE TO BANDERA
TX-16
DISTANCE: 37 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Just east of the above mentioned 'Twisted Sister' route, is this scenic beautiful Texas back road. Start this awesome TX motorcycle ride from Kerrville on Route 16, past Medina to Bandera, TX. A few reasons to ride with cautious vigilance here - be watchful for deer, especially if you happen to be riding in the early morning or late evening hours. And due to the number of turns, gravel can surprise you in certain spots due to cars running off the road edge. That being said, there's beautiful scenery in the spring and fall. Ride along with lots of great twists, tight turns, sweeping curves, beautiful scenery and several river crossings. Locals will tell you it's better to ride this from north to south, but this ride is so much fun you'll want to turn around and ride it again!
(Photo: wikipedia)
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ROUTE 39
TX-39
DISTANCE: 35 miles
TIME: 45 mins
For another fantastic ride, check out TX-39. This route is very close to the above mentioned Route 16. This is a great road among northwest San Antonio's beautiful country. There's a fair amount of twists and turns. It's a curvy and fun ride and not overly technical. Riding here will offer beautiful views of the Guadalupe River. For an even longer ride, turn south in the middle of this route on 187 toward Vanderpool, and check out the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum. If riding after a rainstorm, watch for water crossings at the low areas.
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HURSTOWN TO NEWTON
Route 87
DISTANCE: 76 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
The Texas State Highway 87 is considered one of the best motorcycle roads in eastern Texas. This north/south route in eastern Texas is a great ride along the Louisiana state line with a lot of hills and curves and some long straight-aways to really open up on. Optionally, take a loop route across the state line into South Toledo Bend State Park and up LA-191.
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HIGHWAY 149
FM149
DISTANCE: 33 miles
TIME: 40 mins
Arguably the best little stretch of riding in the whole Houston area is this great motorcycle road. Texas Hwy 149 winds through the southernmost edge of the Sam Houston National Forest, which is known for its tall, majestic pine trees. There's some big, sweeping curves with a few sharp curves thrown in for good measure. But overall, this is a fun and relatively easy ride on quiet country roads that will suit any riding style.
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PARK ROAD 4
DISTANCE: 16 miles
TIME: 30 min
There's miles of scenic motorcycle rides along the mighty Colorado River in Texas, but this one is definitely one of the best. Texas Park Road 4 starts out with some straight road with some nice hills, then a great big hill that drops with awesome views of the valley. Ride alongside some nice parks, including Cavern State Park and Inks Lake State Park. The highway connects State Highway 29 to U.S. Route 281. Try this route in the spring during bluebonnet season for even more roadside beauty. The only complaint you'll have is that this Texas motorcycle road is too short. If you're like us, you'll double back and ride it again!
(Photo: BrigitteinTexas)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Texas a good place for motorcycles?
The Lone Star State offers motorcyclists the chance to ride among some of America's most beautiful and diverse landscapes. There's thousands of miles to ride among a wide range of elevation changes and awesome national parks. It's also a great state to ride in the winter months as the states climate is relatively mild compared to more northern states in America
Do I have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Texas?
In Texas, helmets are required for any rider under the age of 21. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Riders over the age of 21 may ride without one if they are over 21 and meet an eligible helmet exemption.
Where are the Twisted Sisters?
Three Hill Country Ranch Roads, 335, 336 and 337, in central Texas make up the popular motorcycle route known as the Twisted Sisters. Motorcyclists from all over the country come to experience this great motorcycle ride.
Is Austin a good place to ride a motorcycle?
Trendy cities like Austin makes Texas a great state to ride in. The back roads that run through Texas Hill Country feature countless twisties and switchbacks, making them ideal riding for motorcyclists. Our TX motorcycle route from Marble Falls to Tom Hughes Park is one of the best rides in the state.
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Motorcycle Rides Near Me
Please note: Any routes and recommendations are based solely on our opinions and are meant for informational purposes only. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. We assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. You are responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety.