Best Desert Highways for Riders: Arizona & Nevada
Introduction: The Desert Calls
There’s something about the desert that calls to riders. It’s vast, silent, and untamed — a place where the road stretches to infinity and the sun feels like it’s burning right through the sky.
The desert doesn’t just test your machine — it tests your spirit. Arizona and Nevada are home to some of the most iconic desert highways in the world, filled with red rock canyons, ghost towns, and open horizons.
These roads aren’t just stretches of asphalt. They’re pathways into freedom, where the only sound is your engine and the wind. Let’s ride through the best desert highways these states have to offer.
Monument Valley: Icon of the West
📍 Location: Northern Arizona / Southern Utah border
Monument Valley isn’t just a destination — it’s an experience. The towering red sandstone buttes rise out of the desert floor like sentinels, creating one of the most recognizable landscapes in the world.
Route: Ride U.S. 163, especially the approach toward the legendary “Forrest Gump Point.”
Why Ride It: There’s no better place to feel the soul of the American West.
Tips: Bring water, sun protection, and your camera — every turn is postcard-perfect.
Hoover Dam & Lake Mead Loop
📍 Location: Nevada/Arizona border
Few rides blend engineering marvel and natural beauty like Hoover Dam. Towering over the Colorado River, it’s a breathtaking stop on a ride that loops around Lake Mead.
Route: Start in Boulder City, loop around Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and stop at the dam overlook.
Why Ride It: You’ll cross one of the most famous man-made structures in history surrounded by desert vistas.
Tips: Avoid mid-day traffic and summer crowds — sunrise or sunset rides are pure magic.
U.S. Route 93: The Great Basin Highway
📍 Location: Nevada
They call it the Great Basin Highway for a reason — it stretches through hundreds of miles of open desert, dotted with lonely mountains and historic small towns.
Why Ride It: Perfect for riders who crave solitude, reflection, and those “just me and the road” moments.
Highlights: Cathedral Gorge State Park, the mining town of Pioche, and the historic city of Ely.
Rider Vibe: Wide-open freedom with a touch of wild-west nostalgia.
Route 66: Arizona’s Legendary Stretch
📍 Location: Western & Northern Arizona
No list is complete without Route 66. Arizona’s portion is one of the best-preserved and most nostalgic in America.
Why Ride It: Classic Americana meets desert beauty — vintage diners, neon signs, and roadside legends.
Highlights:
Kingman — the heart of Route 66 culture.
Hackberry General Store — a must-stop for photos and cold drinks.
Williams & Seligman — living museums of the Mother Road.
👉 Don’t Miss: Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona — an iconic stop for every traveler.
Valley of Fire State Park
📍 Location: Nevada (just an hour from Las Vegas)
This is desert riding at its most dramatic. The red sandstone cliffs and surreal rock formations make you feel like you’re on another planet.
Why Ride It: The colors are unlike anywhere else — crimson rock glowing against bright blue sky.
Tips: Ride early morning or late afternoon for cooler temps and better light. Summer heat here can exceed 110°F.
Bonus: Combine it with a ride through the Lake Mead loop for the ultimate day trip.
Death Valley (California/Nevada Border Bonus)
📍 Location: East California / Western Nevada
No desert highway list would be complete without Death Valley — the hottest, lowest, and most extreme place in North America.
Why Ride It: Alien landscapes, endless salt flats, and rugged mountain ridges — a surreal and humbling experience.
Highlights: Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette, Zabriskie Point, and Dante’s View.
Caution: Ride only in cooler months (October–March). Summer temperatures can exceed 120°F — dangerously high for both rider and machine.
Brotherhood in the Desert
Desert highways might seem empty, but they carry a powerful sense of brotherhood and connection.
Out here, riders look out for one another — sharing water, stopping to check on a stranded brother or sister, or swapping stories under the stars. When the miles stretch endlessly and the heat rises, you remember what the biker code is all about: respect, self-reliance, and community.
Safety Tips for Desert Riding
☀️ Hydrate Constantly: Carry more water than you think you’ll need — dehydration sneaks up fast.
🧢 Protect Against Heat: Mesh jackets, cooling vests, and sunscreen are your friends.
⛽ Fuel Up Often: Never pass a gas station with less than half a tank in the desert.
🦊 Watch Wildlife: Coyotes, snakes, burros, and even free-range cattle may cross the road.
📶 Plan Ahead: Cell service can be limited. Download offline maps and let someone know your route.
Final Thoughts: Freedom in the Sands
The desert is a place of extremes — heat, silence, distance, and beauty that takes your breath away. It reminds every rider that freedom has a cost — and that cost is courage, preparation, and respect for the road.
Arizona and Nevada’s desert highways aren’t just routes — they’re experiences that stay with you long after the ride is over.
Every red rock, every horizon, every mile of heat and wind — they become part of your story.
👉 Have you ridden the desert highways of Arizona or Nevada? Share your photos, tips, and stories with the community on the Ride Nation USA Facebook page.
👉 And if your desert ride ever takes a dangerous turn, NAMIL.org is here with trusted motorcycle attorneys who protect our brotherhood across the nation.
