Best Motorcycle Rides for Fall Colors

Experience the fall colors from the seat of a motorcycle.

One of the best things about owning a motorcycle is that they are the perfect vehicles for scenic drives. Cars insulate occupants from the surroundings. Even if you roll the windows down, you're still enclosed. However, all riders fully experience the scenery from the seat of a motorcycle. No steel cage separates you from the surroundings. Luckily for motorcycle enthusiasts, many others feel the same way and catalog some of the most impressive rides to see fall colors on a motorcycle.

Scenic Highway 7 in Arkansas

Arkansas calls itself "The Natural State" for good reason. Even their most populated cities are flush with trees and surrounded by wilderness. Arkansas Scenic Highway 7 is famous as a thoroughfare between the cities of Hot Springs and El Dorado with exceptional colors during the fall. The highway loops around through the Ouachita Mountains and passes through or close to several state parks, including White Oak Lake State Park and DeGray Resort State Park, both famous for maintaining their woodlands beauty. The highway passes through part of each of the states four geographical regions, giving a slice of the entire state.

Tail of the Dragon

Perhaps the most famous and easily one of the most dangerous driving roads in the country, the Tail of the Dragon is a can't miss opportunity for the avid motorcyclist. Just take it slow. The turns are wild and twists often unpredictable. Many people try to drive it fast, seeing the curvy mountain road as the ultimate test is driver ability but they're definitely missing out on the natural beauty of the landscape. The Tail is an 11-mile long stretch of U.S. Highway 129 between Tennessee and North Carolina. The rest of the highway is also incredibly scenic, but the Tail specifically contains well over 300 turns in it's short 11 miles. Have fun but remember to be safe. The 30 mph speed limit is there for a reason.

Cherohala Skyway

The Cherohala Skyway is a 36-mile stretch of highway located not far from the Tail of the Dragon. Located at over a mile above sea level and running through the mountainous backwoods of North Carolina and eventually down into Tennessee, this highway is far removed from civilization. The only facilities for the entire stretch are a few bathrooms and some strategically placed overlooks, so you can stop and enjoy the view leisurely. It is a mountain road and as such can be dangerous and should be approached with caution. Adhere to the speed limit and warning signs, however, and riders should have no trouble taking in the vast fall colors that remain devoid of civilization.

References

• Cerohala Skyway
• Tail of the Dragon
• Scenic Highway 7