Best Motorcycle Rides Near Mesa Arizona 2026: Desert Routes, Mountain Passes and Scenic Loops

Apr 13, 2026

Mesa's the east-valley starting line for just about every good ride in central Arizona, and 2026's the year to ride them. Apache Trail just got a fresh repave from ADOT, the Beeline climbs out of the desert into pine country in under two hours, and Salt River Canyon still tops every experienced rider's Arizona list. Between Bush Highway on a slow morning and the Mogollon Rim on a triple-digit afternoon, Mesa gives you six distinct rides without ever repeating the same landscape twice.

What are the Best Motorcycle Rides near Mesa, Arizona?

• Ride 1: Bush Highway to Saguaro Lake, 20 miles
• Ride 2: Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat, 36 miles
• Ride 3: Superstition Mountain Loop, 75 miles
• Ride 4: Beeline Highway to Payson, 160 miles
• Ride 5: Mogollon Rim Day Ride, 220 miles
• Ride 6: Salt River Canyon via US 60, 260 miles

Ride 1: Bush Highway to Saguaro Lake

Power Road turns into Bush Highway about ten minutes east of downtown Mesa, and from there it's all open desert, Salt River frontage, and smooth forward curves that don't ask much of you. The ride dead-ends at the Saguaro Lake Marina turnoff roughly 20 miles from where you started, and most locals just turn around and ride it back. Go early in the morning since wild horses regularly wander across the road near the river, and the temperature's still manageable before the sun gets too high. It's the one Mesa ride almost every local rider has done more times than they can count.

• Key details: No fuel between east Mesa and the lake. Bring a Tonto Pass ($8 at any nearby gas station) for parking at river pullouts.

Ride 2: Apache Trail Motorcycle Ride to Tortilla Flat

Apache Trail picks up the intensity Bush Highway skipped. SR 88 leaves Apache Junction and packs roughly 156 curves into 18 miles, dropping past Goldfield Ghost Town, across a one-lane 1930s bridge at Canyon Lake, and ending at Tortilla Flat (population: six). The whole paved section got fresh asphalt from ADOT in 2024 and 2025, so grip is better than it's been in a decade. The unpaved portion past Fish Creek Vista reopened in September 2024 but is now 4WD and UTV only, meaning motorcycles have to turn around at Tortilla Flat.

• Key details: Check the ADOT traveler info site before you head out since rockfall and storm damage close SR 88 without warning. Turn around at Tortilla Flat.

Is the Apache Trail Good for Motorcycles?

Yes, and the 2024 and 2025 repave put the paved section back near the top of every Arizona rider's list. It's tight, technical, and the elevation change down to Canyon Lake keeps the ride interesting the entire way. Newer riders should sit this one out until they've got Bush Highway under their belt. Everyone else should make the trip at least once a season.

How Far is the Apache Trail From Mesa, AZ?

The trailhead at Apache Junction sits 20 miles east of downtown Mesa, about 25 minutes on US 60. The round trip to Tortilla Flat and back runs roughly three hours with a stop, which makes it a clean half-day out of the valley.

Ride 3: Superstition Mountain Loop

Apache Trail gets the weekend traffic, but the back side of the Superstitions stays quiet. This loop heads east on US 60, turns north on Peralta Road into the range's southern foothills, connects back to SR 88 past Goldfield, and closes the circle in Apache Junction. You end up riding the same mountains from a completely different angle, which is the whole point. Peralta Road transitions to graded dirt a few miles in, so street bikes should turn around at the pavement end and adventure bikes can push through to the Peralta Trailhead parking.

• Key details: Peralta Road becomes dirt after the Gold Canyon turnoff. Cruisers and sport bikes should turn around there.

Ride 4: Beeline Highway Motorcycle Ride to Payson

Once summer hits, the Beeline is the fastest way out of the heat. SR 87 leaves east Mesa and climbs about 3,700 feet over 80 miles, which drops the temperature roughly 20 degrees by the time you reach Payson. The highway is a four-lane divided road the whole way up, so the climb is fast and flowing instead of technical. You'll watch the saguaros thin out, pass through juniper foothills, and end up in ponderosa pine forest with the Four Peaks Wilderness on your right the entire ride. Add another 10 miles north on SR 87 and you're at Tonto Natural Bridge, a $7 state park built around the largest natural travertine arch in the world at 400 feet long.

• Key details: Fuel up in Mesa or Fountain Hills before the climb. Semi traffic runs heavy in the right lane, so hold the left side of your lane on a smaller bike.

Ride 5: Mogollon Rim Day Ride From Mesa

Past Payson, the Beeline ride keeps going. SR 260 east climbs another 2,000 feet to the top of the Mogollon Rim at 7,000 feet, and the landscape turns into full ponderosa pine forest with rim overlooks that drop 2,000 feet to the basin below. Rim temperatures stay 25 to 30 degrees cooler than Mesa, so this is the ride a lot of locals default to in summer, and it's also where you'll want to go once Apache Trail and the Beeline start feeling familiar. SR 260 is fully paved the whole way, and Forest Road 300 runs along the rim edge for 45 miles of dirt for adventure riders.

• Key details: Pack a layer no matter what the Valley temperature is. Forest Road 300 is dirt only, so street bikes should stick to SR 260.

What’s the Best Scenic Motorcycle Route Near Phoenix?

The Beeline Highway into the Mogollon Rim is the best scenic motorcycle route near Phoenix for most riders. You get saguaro desert, juniper foothills, and ponderosa pine forest in one afternoon, and the elevation climb from 1,300 feet in Mesa to 7,000 feet on the rim is something no other Phoenix-area ride matches. Salt River Canyon comes close, but that one's for advanced riders only.

Ride 6: Salt River Canyon Motorcycle Ride on US 60

Salt River Canyon is the ride every experienced Arizona rider points newcomers toward eventually. Locals call it Arizona's Mini Grand Canyon, and US 60 east of Globe drops 1,500 feet of tight switchbacks into the canyon, crosses the Salt River at the bottom, and climbs back up onto the Colorado Plateau on the other side. The canyon section itself is only 24 miles, but you'll be in second and third gear most of the way down, watching for loose gravel on the corners and keeping your eyes well ahead. From Mesa, the full round trip runs 260 miles through Globe and up to Show Low, which turns into a full day of riding with a bike you know well.

• Key details: Fill up in Globe since the next reliable fuel is Show Low, 60 miles past the canyon. Skip the ride entirely during monsoon season (July through September) since flash flooding and rockfall close the road multiple times a year.

Is Salt River Canyon Safe to Ride by Motorcycle?

Salt River Canyon is safe for intermediate and advanced riders who are comfortable on tight mountain roads, but it's not a ride for beginners. The switchbacks are tight, there's no cell service for long stretches, and help is a long way off if something goes wrong. Skip the ride entirely during monsoon season (July through September) because flash floods and rockfall close the road all the time. Anyone new to Arizona should knock out Apache Trail and the Beeline first.

Before You Ride Near Mesa

Weather windows, helmet rules, and what you'll actually need in your tank bag all look different in Arizona than they do anywhere else, and getting a few of these right makes the difference between a great ride and a rough one.

When's the Best Time of Year to Ride Near Mesa?

October through April is prime season for Arizona desert motorcycle rides, with daytime highs between 65 and 85 degrees and nearly zero rain risk. From July through mid-September, valley temperatures regularly hit 105 to 115 and monsoon storms come in without much warning, so summer rides mean starting before 10 a.m. or sticking to elevation routes like the Mogollon Rim and Salt River Canyon.

Do You Need a Helmet to Ride a Motorcycle in Arizona?

Arizona law requires helmets only for riders under 18, per ARS 28-964. Adults aren't legally required to wear a helmet, but all riders need protective eyewear unless the motorcycle has a factory windshield.

What to Pack for an Arizona Ride

• Water, and more than you think you'll need, especially on the Beeline or in the canyon
• Light jacket and gloves for elevation changes, even in summer
• Sunscreen, since desert UV is stronger than it looks
• Tonto Pass ($8) for Bush Highway and Saguaro Lake pullouts, available at any gas station nearby
• Cash for Tortilla Flat and other small-town stops where cards don't always work

Riding During Arizona Bike Week?

Arizona Bike Week runs April 8 through 12 at WestWorld in Scottsdale, and every ride on this list works as a day trip from the rally. Book your rental at least two weeks out since local inventory goes quick in early April.

Browse Motorcycle Rentals in Mesa, AZ

Mesa has 115+ motorcycles currently listed on Riders Share, and Phoenix adds another 125+ just down the road, with daily rates starting around $40. You'll find Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Honda, BMW, Kawasaki, and Ducati on the platform, and most owners rent gear too (helmets, gloves, and jackets start at $10). Book a motorcycle rental in Mesa, AZ and pick up from a local rider who knows these roads.

Expand Your Rental Search in Arizona

• Motorcycle rentals in Arizona State
• Motorcycle rentals in Phoenix
• Motorcycle rentals in Scottsdale
• Motorcycle rentals in Tuscon

Explore Mesa and the Greater Phoenix Area With a Guided Motorcycle Tour

25+ guided motorcycle tours out of Phoenix are available on Riders Share, led by local riders who know Apache Trail, the Beeline, and the Mogollon Rim inside out. Tours come with fuel stops, route timing, and backup support already set. Book a spot and spend the day riding instead of planning.

Riding Solo? Discover More Motorcycle Routes in Arizona

Mesa's six rides are just the entry point. Our guide on the best motorcycle rides near Phoenix covers the Valley's longer loops, desert routes heading west and north, and the rides that belong on every Arizona trip.