Best Motorcycle Roads and Destinations in New Mexico, United States

As you navigate New Mexico on your motorcycle, you will come to see why this state is referred to as the “Land of Enchantment.” Though most of New Mexico is covered in deserts, it is renowned for having plenty of natural scenery. Depending on which region you venture out to, you will encounter a variety of terrain.

Head to the east and you will end up in the Great Plains. Turn northward and you will ascend the Rocky Mountains. Veer out west and you will carve through the Colorado Plateau. If you go southward of the Rocky Mountains, then you will see the length of the Basin and Range Region.

While New Mexico’s nature sites make for memorable places to visit with your motorcycle, you can find enjoyment in other places too. EIther in towns along your intended route or simply by cruising along the roads on your way to destinations.

The purpose of this article is to list the most popular motorcycle roads and destinations in New Mexico. 

Distance: 532 miles

Time: 9 hours 57 minutes

Start: Silver City

End: Silver City

While not the most well-known road in New Mexico, it does pass by some notable nature sites including the Chihuahuan Desert, the Mimbres Mountains, the Mimbres River Valley, and the Piños Altos Mountains.

Shortly after leaving Silver City, you may find yourself near Santa Clara. You can eat at the Wright’s Cabin Picnic Ground with rows of ponderosa pine trees surrounding you.

As you get closer to Kingston, you may want to visit the Gila National Forest. It is a rare opportunity to explore the sixth largest national forest in the United States.

Distance: 385 miles
Time: 8 hours
Start: Albuquerque
End: Albuquerque

Near Albuquerque, you can venture out to see the Petroglyph National Monument and the Cibola National Forest. The ride is pretty uneventful until you go past Jemez Springs. Then you will be able to catch sight of the Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Bandelier National Monument.

Because the loop has a large number of small towns and major cities along the path, you have easy access to gas stations and restaurants. If you find yourself hungry after nearly completing the route, you should check out the Plaza Burgers in Las Vegas, NM.

Distance: 105 miles
Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
Start: Taos
End: Taos

If you have an appreciation for culture, Taos hosts plenty of galleries, festivals, and museums that are dedicated to celebrating the arts.

When you reach Angel Fire, there are plenty of bars and small restaurants available where you can relax before finishing the rest of the loop.

The highlights of reaching Mora are seeing remnants of and learning the history of the Mexican-American War.

When you head back towards Taos, you will get to admire the alpine meadows and mountains that form the Pecos National Historical Park. 

Distance: 53 miles
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Start: Mescalero
End: Timberon

The start of your journey will take you out of the Mescalero Reservation then turn southward through the Lincoln National Forest. When you reach a valley, you will find yourself amidst farms and ranches.

As you approach Cloudcroft, you will be pressed by canyons as the road runs through the middle of them. When you finally reach the town, you can spend some time at a local golf course.

Continue outside of Cloudcroft and you will catch sight of the Sunspot Solar Observatory.

Distance: 67 miles
Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Start: Ruidoso
End: Alamogordo

You begin at the resort town known as Ruidoso which is located within the Sierra Blanca Mountains. Enjoy taking in the sight of the alpine forests while enjoying the pleasant, clear weather almost year-round.

Because this road passes wilderness areas including the Mescalero Reservation and the Lincoln Forest, you should not expect to see any rest stops for this leg of the journey.

In contrast, Alamogordo is famous for being the site of the Trinity Test aka the first test of the atomic bomb.

Distance: 153 miles
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Start: Socorro, NM
End: Springerville, AZ

Crossing the border between New Mexico and Arizona, most of the landscape should be dotted with ranches and meadows for the duration of the trip. You may catch sight of the large population of elk who live in the area.

This route will pass through parts of the Cibola National Forest and come within view of plenty of mountains such as North Baldy, Madre Mountain, etc.

If you are looking for a homely dessert, pick up a pie at the appropriately named Pie Town. 

Distance:
Time:
Start: White Rock
End: Jemez Springs

Just outside of White Rock, you can go get a look at the Bandelier National Monument which preserves the homes of the Ancestral Puebloans which were carved within canyon walls.

Most of your route towards Jemez Springs will take you through the Santa Fe National Forest. Just west of the Bandelier National Monument, you should be able to make out the Valles Caldera. 

Distance: 17 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Start: San Antonito
End: Sandia Crest

If you arrive during the right season, you can go to Sandia Park to watch the eagle and hawk migrations. You can also stop by Hollywick Farms if you wish to see fluffy farm animals.

Within the same area, you can see the Tinkertown Museum filled with thousands of handcrafted miniatures amongst walls of glass bottles.

You will then head into the Cibola National Forest. The road will take you into the dense greenery and eventually ascend towards the Sandia Crest.

Distance: 62 miles
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Start: Taos
End: Questa

When you get up to Eagle Nest Lake, you should be able to survey the large population of trout and salmon swimming in the landlocked body of water. There may also be elk hanging around the woods.

If you wish to get a taste of what life was like during the Old West, you can visit the abandoned gold mining town known as Elizabethtown. You can find a similar experience looking at the saloons and theater at Red River.

A point of interest in Questa is the Artesanos de Questa where individuals of different crafts including woodworkers, tinkerers, painters, stained glass workers, and sculptors work in the same space.

Distance: 116 miles
Time: 3 hours 23 minutes
Start: Silver City
End: Silver City

Most of this scenic byway will have you riding through the Gila National Forest which has forests of aspen and Douglas fir trees. When you are not surrounded by greenery, you will be traveling through semi-arid lowlands populated by cacti, juniper, and oak trees.

Continuing along, you will reach Bear Canyon Lake which is an ideal spot for fishing while giving you a overlook of the MimbresValley in the distance. You can also pass by Lake Roberts and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

Distance: 85 miles
Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Start: Chinle, AZ
End: Shiprock, NM

This is another route that crosses the boundary between Arizona and New Mexico. You will curve around the north rim of the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. This canyon has many interesting rock formations such as the Spider Rock spire. It also contains remnants of Pueblo civilization including the White House Ruins and the Mummy Cave.

When you have caught sight of a rock formation that has the shape of a bull’s head, then you have come across Bull Pass. The area nearby is perfect for hiking. The farther you go in the direction of Shiprock, the more the rocky and mountainous terrain will transform into flat desert.

Distance: 127 miles
Time: 2 hours 47 minutes
Start: Bernalillo
End: Abiquiu

Spend some time in Jemez Springs to enjoy the hot springs that are open even during the winter months. You can also catch sight of the Soda Dam Hot Spring which was a natural formation of different hot springs that formed a bridge over the Jemez River.

If you stop in Whiterock, there is an outlook that is over 700 feet tall that will allow you to survey the Rio Grande Valley. Turn off of New Mexico State Route 30 to the Puye Cliff Dwellings where you can inspect the ancient buildings created by the Anasazi Native Americans.

Rides who have not hit their 18th birthday are required to wear an open-face or full-face motorcycle helmet in New Mexico. Legal adults can travel without a motorcycle helmet if they are confident in their riding skills and exercise extreme caution. However, the increased use of motorcycle helmets by operators of all ages has shown a significant decrease in fatalities in recent years.

It is a good practice to look over your motorcycle to check whether any of its primary components have suffered damage. Finding issues and providing maintenance for your motorcycle before they become a problem will save you a lot of trouble if you are on the road. Plus, since periodic inspections can be randomly conducted by officials, it could save you from being fined for failing to maintain the upkeep of your vehicle.

• Horn

• Wheels

• Tires

• Handlebars

• Brake system

• Controls

• Headlight

• Taillight

• Brake light

• Reflector

• Exhaust system

• Muffler

• Rearview mirrors

• Turn signals

• Spark arrestor

It is illegal for riders to lane split in New Mexico.

If you wish to learn more about New Mexico motorcycle laws, click this link here.

Your motorcycle must be fitted with a designated passenger seat and adjustable footholds with ample space so that your passenger can be both comfortable and secure.

Almost anyone can ride on your two-wheeled vehicle in New Mexico. However, if your passenger is under 18 years old, s/he is required to put on a motorcycle helmet whenever seated on your motorcycle. Also, it is not recommended you bring on young children or elderly folk who cannot plant their feet firmly on the footholds.

Do not be surprised if what you experience during a motorcycle trip into New Mexico differs from what you initially expected. You might cross dozens of miles of flat terrain, almost completely alone with your ride with only the occasional tree or rock formation passing you by. Or you may descend into valleys or climb up mountain paths with plenty of blindspots that constantly keep you on the alert. The nature of a motorcycle trip in New Mexico can change with the drop of a hat. Even if you carefully map out your route, what might have originally started as a leisurely ride can quickly become an intense rush through the New Mexico wilderness. While the point of a motorcycle trip is to have fun, always look out for any surprises. If you are not ready to act when the terrain becomes rough or when your vehicle suffers from mechanical problems, then your plan to reach popular motorcycle locations in New Mexico may be put on hold.