With stunning views, twisty turns, and a large community behind you, the Ozarks region is a motorcycle rider’s haven. Whether you’re a seasoned rider looking for a new challenge, or a beginner wanting to know where to start, this one’s for you! Strap on your helmet, rev up your engine and join me while we explore the best motorcycle routes in the Ozarks.
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The Ozarks Celebrate Biking Culture
The Ozarks region boasts stunning landscapes, including rolling hills, lakes & rivers, and dense forests. Pair those factors with its winding roads and challenging terrain, and it’s an ideal spot for bikers to gather. And gather, we do!
Bikes, Blues, and BBQ (BBB) is one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the United States, and it’s been held annually in Northwest Arkansas since 2000. This once humble charity event now draws a crowd of more than 400,000 people and a variety of activities, including live music, vendor booths, bike shows, charity rides, and of course, BBQ. During the last week of September, more than 300,000 motorcycles worldwide gather in celebration.
Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest draws in an annual crowd of 30,000 to 100,000 in the Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri. Motorcycle riders gather for organized rides around the Ozark Mountains while also enjoying live music, contests, vendor booths, and a wide range of food. Like BBB, this festival is increasing in size each year and has been going on for 17 years. Catch both BBB and BikeFest as they’re located one right after the other (BikeFest is held Sept. 13-17th this year).
Sparks America Bike Week is located just off Hwy 18 in Sparks, Oklahoma, and occurs each year in June. While this event focuses on racing, with organized dirt track races occurring throughout the week, bikers also enjoy camping at the location. It’s a family-friendly environment with live music, vendor booths, bike shows, and contests taking place.
Best Motorcycle Routes in Arkansas
The wonderful thing about riding in Arkansas is you rarely have to put your bike up for winter. If the sun is shining, riders are riding. That’s because Arkansas offers riders challenging routes, beautiful scenes, and thrilling adventures. Pick a riding destination in Arkansas:
Pig Trail Scenic Byway: This 19-mile stretch is known for its hairpin turns and scenic rugged bluff views ending in the quaint town of Eureka Springs, AR. Have a bite to eat at the Pied Piper Pub before making the trek back.
Arkansas Dragon: Similar to a dragon’s tail, Push Mount Road is 24 miles of winding road with tight curves and steep elevation changes. You’ll encounter light traffic and few intersections here for a smooth, fun ride.
Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway: Take in views of waterfalls, lakes, and a rugged mountain backdrop on this 35-mile stretch of twisting roads and sweeping curves.
Talimena Scenic Drive: For a more extended cruise, this 54-mile stretch starts in Mena, AR, at U.S. 71 and takes a scenic route through the Ouachita Mountains into Oklahoma. Enjoy winding roads and steep climbs with historic sites for stopping along the way.
Mount Magazine Scenic Byway: A 66-mile ride offering stunning panoramic views from the top of Mount Magazine. Twisting roads and sharp curves will take you on a beautiful journey to the highest point in Arkansas.
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway: Stretching from Malden, MO, to Helena, AR, Crowley’s Ridge is a peaceful ride with gentle curves and rolling hills offering opportunities to explore small-town America along the way.
Best Motorcycle Routes in Oklahoma
The Sooner State has a rich history and culture, with many sites and landmarks to explore. Rolling hills, wide-open plains, and Route 66 make a motorcycle tour through Oklahoma part of a rider’s bucket list. Here are a few of Oklahoma’s best motorcycle routes.
Talimena National Scenic Byway: This is a shared route from Arkansas to Oklahoma. Take in the sites and towns along the way and make it a vacation.
Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway: 38 miles of sweeping curves and beautiful vistas through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Be ready to ride away from four-legged encounters with bison, elk, and longhorn cattle.
Taloga-Cheyenne Road: Get 32 miles of the beautiful scenery of the Great Plains and surrounding hills. Known for light traffic, this route has challenging curves and steep grades.
Osage Hills Scenic Byway: You’ll experience gentle curves along rolling hills during this 45-mile trek with breathtaking scenes of lakes, forests, and small towns to explore.
Route 66: We couldn’t part ways without a mention of America’s Route 66. Pack a bag and stay gone with a Route 66 motorcycle tour for an ultimate adventure.
Best Motorcycle Routes in Missouri
Missouri may take the cake regarding great roads for motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy. So many routes in the Show-me State offer riders an opportunity to appreciate views on two wheels. Here are some of the best places to ride in Missouri:
Ozark National Scenic Riverways: 130 miles of unbeatable views through the Ozark Mountains, taking in rivers and valleys along the way. The winding roads are challenging but rewarding.
Route 79: This 29-mile stretch takes you through the rolling hills of Pike County, offering countryside views and peace and quiet.
Route 19: Check out the Mark Twain National Forest as well as views from the Ozarks Mountains in this 63-mile trip.
Route 66: Missouri’s Route 66 offers 300 miles of mixed straightaways and winding roads for motorcyclists but no dull moments.
Katy Trail State Park: The 240-mile trail takes you through the heart of Missouri offering stunning views of the Missouri River and surrounding countryside.
Great River Road: Take this 326-mile route along the Mississippi River for views of the river and surrounding bluffs that remind you of God’s beautiful works in nature.
Routes That Share Borders in the Ozarks
Some of the routes mentioned run close to or even cross state lines through Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Break out the old-school map or use a route planner tool to plan a little Ozark motorcycle getaway with these routes that offer a multi-state trip:
The Pig Trail Scenic Byway in Arkansas runs north-south from Ozark to Fayetteville, and it’s possible to continue north into Missouri on HWY 23.
The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway in Arkansas is near the state line with Missouri, and it’s possible to continue into MO on HWY 112.
The Talimena Scenic Drive in Oklahoma starts in Talihina and ends in Mena, Arkansas, crossing the state line between the two states.
The Great River Road in Missouri runs along the Mississippi River and passes through several states, including Arkansas and Tennessee.
Route 66, need we say more?
Plan your route carefully to create a multi-state motorcycle trip that takes in some of the best scenery and attractions in the region. Please wear your helmet, nobody is tougher than pavement at 60 mph, and we’ve got gorgeous views and miles to explore during these motorcycle tours in the Ozarks region.
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