Help on scenic rides
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Help on scenic rides
I'm planning my cross-country for June, '07. I'm leaving from eastern N.C. and I am not concerned with anything in the northeast or southeast U.S. as I'll use that as separate trips. Once I exit Tenn. on I-40 I'll be looking to get off the slab and start enjoying my trip. Any travelers have suggestions for mid to northern Arkansas, southern Oklahoma, the panhandle of Texas, into New Mexico.
On the return side, any suggestions coming out of South Dakota into Iowa and down into Missouri and southern Illinois. I have a lot already highlighted on a road atlas but will welcome suggestions on basically anything from the midwest to the west. This trip will be a once-in-a-lifetime so I want to hit as much as possible. I will be retired so time is not a problem. Thanks for any help.
On the return side, any suggestions coming out of South Dakota into Iowa and down into Missouri and southern Illinois. I have a lot already highlighted on a road atlas but will welcome suggestions on basically anything from the midwest to the west. This trip will be a once-in-a-lifetime so I want to hit as much as possible. I will be retired so time is not a problem. Thanks for any help.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch, MS.
RE: Help on scenic rides
After you cross the mississipi river into arkansas take I55 north to Hwy 63 north to Marked Tree, Ar. At Marked Tree take hwy 14 west all the way to Yellville, Ar. At Yellville, take hwy 65 to Eureka Springs and stay at either the Iron Horse Stables or Rider's Rest biker motels.
Heading out of Eureka take Hwy 23 south to Mena, Arkansas. At Mena take the Talimena Trail to Talihina, Oklahoma. From Talihina, Oklahoma....to be continued...gotta get to work
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch, MS.
RE: Help on scenic rides
After Talihina, Ok. head south down Hwy 271 to Antlers, Ok. and take hwy 3 north to Davis and jump on I-35 north to hwy 19 at Pauls Valley.
At Pauls valley head north on hwy 19 to Chickasha, Ok. From Chickasha take hwy 9 into Texas to Wellington, Tx.
At Wellington take hwy 83 south to Childress, Tx.
At Childress take hwy 287 west to Estelline, Tx.
At Estelline take hwy 86 west to Silverton, Tx.
At Silverton take hwy 207 north through the Palo Duro Canyon then back onto hwy 287 on into Amarillo.
At Amarillo continue on hwy 287 to Dumas
At Dumas take hwy 87 west to Raton, NM.
At Raton head south on I-25 to hwy 64 west towards Cimarron. Continue on hwy 64 west to Teec Nos Pos and visit the "4 Corners" monument.
After 4 Corners head back to Teec Nos Pos and take hwy 160 west to Mexican Water, Az.
At Mexican Water take hwy 191 north up through Monument Valley to Bluff, Ut.
At Bluff continue on to almost Blanding and head north on hwy 95 to Hanksville, Ut.
At Hanksville take hwy 24 west to Torrey, Ut.
At Torrey take hwy 12 west through Bryce Canyon. Staying on hwy 12 will take you to I-15 at Cedar City Ut. from there you can head south to Vegas and into Cali or turn north to Oasis, Ut and take hwy 50 west " The Loneliest Highway" into Cali.
At Pauls valley head north on hwy 19 to Chickasha, Ok. From Chickasha take hwy 9 into Texas to Wellington, Tx.
At Wellington take hwy 83 south to Childress, Tx.
At Childress take hwy 287 west to Estelline, Tx.
At Estelline take hwy 86 west to Silverton, Tx.
At Silverton take hwy 207 north through the Palo Duro Canyon then back onto hwy 287 on into Amarillo.
At Amarillo continue on hwy 287 to Dumas
At Dumas take hwy 87 west to Raton, NM.
At Raton head south on I-25 to hwy 64 west towards Cimarron. Continue on hwy 64 west to Teec Nos Pos and visit the "4 Corners" monument.
After 4 Corners head back to Teec Nos Pos and take hwy 160 west to Mexican Water, Az.
At Mexican Water take hwy 191 north up through Monument Valley to Bluff, Ut.
At Bluff continue on to almost Blanding and head north on hwy 95 to Hanksville, Ut.
At Hanksville take hwy 24 west to Torrey, Ut.
At Torrey take hwy 12 west through Bryce Canyon. Staying on hwy 12 will take you to I-15 at Cedar City Ut. from there you can head south to Vegas and into Cali or turn north to Oasis, Ut and take hwy 50 west " The Loneliest Highway" into Cali.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 3
From: TX
RE: Help on scenic rides
I have ridden most of the roads recommended by Blackoak in AR, OK, & TX.
I would suggest that HWY 7, in AR should be worked into the mix. It is spactacular, from DogPatch all the way down to Hot Springs - which is also a great place to spend a night. You can easily pick up 270 out of Hot Springs and follow it back over to Mena and drop in from the top.
The TaliMena pass (Scenic Hwy 1) from Mena to Talehina is a MUST!
One other note regarding HWY7. Just south of I40, is Dardanlelle. 155 to the west will take you up Mt. Nebo. While it's not "that high", the road has some of the quickest, sharpest, steepest switch backs I've ever seen - including Rocky Mtn, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Poconos, etc. If you make this run, once you start, do not stop until the top. The first time will have you thinking WTF have I gotten myself into, but it's only about 2 miles long and once at the top you'll be saying "Man, that was F'ing AWESOME!".
Enjoy your ride & take a bunch of pics!
I would suggest that HWY 7, in AR should be worked into the mix. It is spactacular, from DogPatch all the way down to Hot Springs - which is also a great place to spend a night. You can easily pick up 270 out of Hot Springs and follow it back over to Mena and drop in from the top.
The TaliMena pass (Scenic Hwy 1) from Mena to Talehina is a MUST!
One other note regarding HWY7. Just south of I40, is Dardanlelle. 155 to the west will take you up Mt. Nebo. While it's not "that high", the road has some of the quickest, sharpest, steepest switch backs I've ever seen - including Rocky Mtn, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Poconos, etc. If you make this run, once you start, do not stop until the top. The first time will have you thinking WTF have I gotten myself into, but it's only about 2 miles long and once at the top you'll be saying "Man, that was F'ing AWESOME!".
Enjoy your ride & take a bunch of pics!
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque, NM
RE: Help on scenic rides
some northern New Mexico additions for your consideration:
from Raton (hwy 87/64) head south down Hwy 64 (look for buffalo) towards Cimarron and then onto Eagle Nest. From Eagles Nest head North on 38 through Red River and to Questa. From Questa head South on 522 to Taos. Both Red River and Taos are excellent places to stop for food. Taos has plenty of shops and good places for dinner. When you leave Taos, consider heading a few miles back North and turn West onto Hwy64 towards Tres Piedras. This will take you over the Rio Grande Gorge - a breathtaking view hundreds of feet above the Rio Grande River.
From Tres Piedras continue West on 64 towards Tierra Amarilla and then North on 84 to Chama. From Chama you can head North, Northeast on 17 towards Antonito, Colo.
have a great trip
from Raton (hwy 87/64) head south down Hwy 64 (look for buffalo) towards Cimarron and then onto Eagle Nest. From Eagles Nest head North on 38 through Red River and to Questa. From Questa head South on 522 to Taos. Both Red River and Taos are excellent places to stop for food. Taos has plenty of shops and good places for dinner. When you leave Taos, consider heading a few miles back North and turn West onto Hwy64 towards Tres Piedras. This will take you over the Rio Grande Gorge - a breathtaking view hundreds of feet above the Rio Grande River.
From Tres Piedras continue West on 64 towards Tierra Amarilla and then North on 84 to Chama. From Chama you can head North, Northeast on 17 towards Antonito, Colo.
have a great trip
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 0
From: southern illinois
RE: Help on scenic rides
While in Southern IL go anywhere in the Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the Gods is beautiful and the roads and wineries around Alto Pass are really something. Just Google them for directions. You won't be dissapointed. When you get to Saint Louis get on Historic Route 66 and take all of it you can all the way to Santa Monica, California. You can get maps and mile by mile directions off the internet. Do a little research before you take off and you will have the greatest trip of your life. Take it from someone who has done it(although in a car not riding a bike which would be even better) you will find America as it used to be, fantastic scenery, old motels,unusual sights, great old tourist traps and some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. People along the way are glad to see road warriors brave enough to go looking for them and are really helpful. Hope you do it!