Are you searching for the best New Mexico motorcycle rides? Look no further than these top five rides that residents and visitors recommend. The scenery, twists, turns, and attractions make these perfect rides for a day out on two wheels.
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway (Taos)
Starting in Taos, take NM-522 N to Questa. Be sure to fill up on gas, snacks, and water before leaving Taos, as there aren’t many places to refuel along the route. In Questa, take NM-38 E toward the Red River. Keep following NM-38 E to Eagle Nest.
Take US-64 W out of Eagle Nest back to Taos, or detour in Angel Fire off Mountain View Blvd. Angel Fire offers gas, restaurants, and room to stretch before the final leg toward Taos.
Attractions along the route include Taos Pueblo, constructed by the native Tiwa people between the 11th and 15th centuries. Stop in Red River for lunch at the Bull O’ The Woods Saloon or Old Tymers Cafe. If you like nature or local culture, don’t miss hiking, birdwatching, or shopping for native wares in Eagle Nest.
Route 15 – Silver City to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Start in Silver City and take Route 15 north approximately 45 miles to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Be sure to fill up in Silver City before getting on the road, as there are very few gas stations along the way.
The views on this ride are incredible as the altitude changes. Ride through mountain forests of aspens and desert cactus fields and cliffs. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the cliff dwellings in the park at the end of the ride. With a short hike, you can see cliff-carved homes of the ancient Mogollon culture.
Sandia Crest
Starting in San Antonito, take NM-536 W to Sandia Crest. The road offers 17 miles of ascending roadway as it climbs the mountain and is one of the best New Mexico motorcycle routes for any rider who loves a good hairpin turn. The peak measures 10,678 feet above sea level, and you will need to purchase a parking pass.
Enjoy elevated views of Cibola National Forest and pack your rain gear just in case. The elevation changes can mean sudden showers.
Santa Clara to Caballo
Out of Santa Clara, take NM-152 N through Emory Pass and Hillsboro. The 66-mile route is quite technical, including hairpin turns, curves, changing elevations, and more, all while offering spectacular views of the mountains and Gila National Forest.
Taos-to-Mora Loop
Starting in Taos, take US-64 E for 19 miles and turn right onto Mountain View Blvd. to Angel Fire. Stay on NM-434 S through Guadalupita to Mora. In Mora, take NM-518 N out of town back to Taos. The 102-mile route features scenic overlooks, excellent restaurants, hiking, and more.
The route offers fantastic views and fun twists, especially along 518. Easy Rider fans will recognize these roads from the iconic film starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. US-64 makes up part of the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, and 518 rides through Pecos Natural Historic Park and the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway.
When You Need a Motorcycle Lawyer in New Mexico
Check out some of the best New Mexico motorcycle rides the next time you’re riding through. If you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, reach out to the Law Tigers at (888) 863-7216 for a free case evaluation. We’re attorneys who ride. And be sure to never leave home without your free Rider Benefit Kit.
