The Best of the West
Motorcycle Tour

An amazing motorcycle tour from Los Angeles through the states of California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada. The number of miles is considerable, but the rewards are definitely worth the effort! All major national parks, famous and less known, including Yellowstone National Park, are included in this ride.

Riding Days: 20
Distance: 3782 miles/6051 km

Day 1 Los Angeles - Parker (246 miles / 394 km)
Start with exploring the Joshua Tree National Park and after lunch in Twenty Nine Palms ride on across the desert. Just before you arrive in Parker cross the Colorado River; the natural border between California and Arizona.

Day 2 Parker - Prescott (142 miles / 227 km)
Today you leave Parker and pass Salome (where you can have breakfast in the famous “Cactus Bar”), Aguila and Congress to reach Prescott National Forest. Those of you who love those challenging curves will definitely be pleased. The day ends in Prescott. In the evening, visit the famous “Whisky Row” (the name that needs no further explanation).

Day 3 Prescott - Chinle (269 miles / 430 km)
Today's ride will take you mainly through Indian reserves. The highlight of the day is a visit of the breathtaking Canyon de Chelly, located a stones throw from Chinle, the best place for the night after a great motorcycle tour day.

Day 4 Chinle - Cortez (215 miles / 344 km)
Monument Valley provides, without a doubt, one of the most fantastic and impressive motorcycle tour riding settings in the United States. Make a jeep safari with an Indian guide for a realistic experience of the back country. Through Mexican Hat, and naturally the Four Corner Memorial, arrive in Cortez in the late afternoon.

Day 5 Cortez - Montrose (154 miles / 246 km)
Start the day early with a visit of the Mesa Verde National Park, where local Indians have built impressive rock houses. Later on, the San Juan National Forest will ensure exciting curves. Be sure to stop in historic Silverton before arriving at today's final destination, Montrose.

Day 6 Montrose - Breckenridge (204 miles / 326 km)
The scenic nature of Colorado will host your ride today. After a visit of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, ride towards the Rocky Mountains. Breckenridge, today's final destination, has become quite a trendy resort, a visit is definitely worthwhile.

Day 7 Breckenridge - Grand Lake (170 miles / 272 km)
In the morning ride through the town of Nederland and Estes Park into Rocky Mountains National Park. You'll be impressed by dazzling ravines and splendid panoramas. Be aware of the deer and moose that may cross your path.

Day 8 Grand Lake (0 miles)
By now, you'll have traveled quite a distance so enjoy a well earned day of rest at Grand Lake. The surrounding area is extremely suitable for a little adventure exploration. How about a horse ride followed by a barbecue in the splendid mountains surrounding Grand Lake?

Day 9 Grand Lake - Lander (303 miles / 485 km)
Prepare for a long motorcycle tour ride. From Grand Lake head through the Arapaho National Forest and Wildlife Refuge to the state border of Wyoming. Continue to Saratoga Hot Springs through the Medicine Bow Mountains. Your final destination for the day is Lander.

Day 10 Lander - Cody (164 miles / 262 km)
After a short ride you'll reach Thermopolis, home of the largest hot springs in the world. Then it's on to Cody, a town that is famous for its connection to William Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill. See the museum of Cody museum and make sure you attend a real rodeo in the evening!

Day 11 Cody - Yellowstone National Park (131 miles / 198 km)
The next two motorcycle tour days feature the oldest park of America, Yellowstone. Take plenty of time to enjoy the scenic nature of the northern section of the park. Beware of wildlife! Bisons, bears, deer and foxes are frequent visitors. Great place to stay is West Yellowstone, just outside the park.

Day 12 Yellowstone National Park - Jackson (124 miles / 232 km)
Once you have left Mud Volcano and the geyser Old Faithful, it is time to ride to Grand Teton National Park. This park is no less impressive than Yellowstone. Get a hotel in Jackson which is a lively western town.

Day 13 Jackson - Salt Lake City (266 miles / 426 km)
Large cities are often a welcome change in such a ride which takes you primarily through the countryside. Salt Lake City is the most important city of Utah, located along Great Salt Lake, at approximately 1200 metres above sea level.

Day 14 Salt Lake City - Moab (238 miles / 381 km)
After several miles of Interstate you'll be riding down State Route 6 for some time. In the afternoon arrive in Moab, the final destination of today. Explore Arches National Park before you head for a hotel. This park too, will surprise you with splendid nature scenes.

Day 15 Moab - Torrey (210 miles / 336 km)
Try to get up early and enjoy the sunrise in Arches National Park. This park is the pride of Utah, and this will need no further explanation once you have seen it for yourself. Next, ride an absolutely terrific route to Capitol Reef National Park via I-70 and Hanksville. Spend the night just outside the park in Torrey.

Day 16 Torrey - Panguitch (142 miles / 227 km)
Today is an easy cruising day. A road with spectacular curves will lead you to Bryce Canyon. Here too, words will fall short to describe the splendor of the scenery. Try a helicopter ride or cross the canyon on horseback. Your bed for the night could be in Panguitch, just outside the park.

Day 17 Panguitch - Las Vegas (250 miles / 400 km)
A fresh morning ride through Dixie National Forest, and see Cedar Breaks National Monument. Once you have left the mountains behind you, descend into the impressive heat of the Nevada Desert. The final miles of this motorcycle tour are via interstate 15 to Las Vegas. There is no need to be bored in Las Vegas - enjoy the evening and night.

Day 18 Las Vegas (0 miles / 0 km)
This is a day off, if that is what you can call it. There are just so many things to see and everything is situated relatively close together. The Harley Davidson Cafe, enormous hotels, each with their own theme park like MGM Grand, Luxor, New York New York (ride their rollercoaster) and a splendid light show at Fremont Street.

Day 19 Las Vegas - Ridgecrest (288 miles / 461 km)
Time to leave Vegas, do it in style and cruise The Strip in the early morning. Subsequently, push on through the impressive heat of Death Valley, where you'll be stopping at places like Badwater & Artist Palet and Furnace Creek Ranch. Make sure to drink enough water. The last part of the day takes you to Ridgecrest through Panamint Springs via a stunning valley.

Day 20 Ridgecrest - Los Angels (227 miles / 363 km)
Leave Ridgecrest and ride the 395 south. After a short ride on the interstate 15 cross the San Gabriel Mountains and close off this tour with the ultimate 70 miles of challenging curves. At the end of the day park your bike in Santa Monica, where you can always expect an evening of great fun. Get a hotel close to the beach and the lively Third Street Promenade.

End of Motorcycle Tour