Top 10 Must-See Destinations on an Alaska Motorcycle Trip


Alaska native, tour guide and travel author shares his top spots for ADV Riders.

SEE Original post here: ADV PULSE

Thanks to Gary from AK for leading me to this article.

Published on 09.22.2015
Welcome to your Alaska Motorcycle Trip

 I have been fortunate to have been able to ride most of these roads while in Alaska in 2011.  Nice to read a seasoned riders recommendations.  Once you have been to Alaska it will forever be embedded in you memory as an epic ride.

Alaska always seems to come up as a top bucket list destination for Adventure Riders and it’s easy to see why. America’s “Last Frontier” offers vast untouched natural beauty and pristine landscapes that are unsurpassed in North America. With endless miles of challenging routes to explore, an adventure motorcycle is the perfect tool to fully experience all Alaska has to offer. Here are ten must-see destinations for any Adventure Rider interested in taking an Alaska motorcycle trip.

1. Prudhoe Bay

Pruhoe Bay Alaska motorcycle tripCourtesy Phil Freeman

This is the farthest north you can ride a motorcycle on the continent. The road is 414 miles long out of Fairbanks, and throws at you broken chip seal and a calcium chloride infused dirt surface. It also is the mother lode of sloppy grater and water truck road construction and wind blasting semis, headed to the bay. This is one destination you don’t want to skip on your Alaska motorcycle trip! It offers excellent remote scenery and does not bore; the view is just as good going up as it is going back south. But don’t try to do this ride all in one sitting, many riders have attempted it, and many have succumbed to either road conditions or stamina.

Courtesy Phil Freeman

2. Denali Highway

Denali Highway Alaska motorcycle tripCourtesy Phil Freeman

This is the original entrance to Denali National Park and is over 120 miles of dirt loveliness. The scenery is epic, the remoteness is real (yes, you are now part of the food chain) and stopping and exploring along the way is off the charts. The Alaska Range parallels this entire ride, and offers scene after scene of quintessential “Alaska.” There are mining roads that meander this way and that, off the main road, which make for hard-core adventure. Do not go alone into this world; bring a buddy, and the willingness to adventure! Stay over at Gracious House (mile 82) and save a day or two for exploring from there. Pack a fly rod if you are into that kind of thing. Bring a camera: you will be seeing some furry friends.

3. Manley Hot Springs

Manley Hot SpringsCourtesy Phil Freeman

This town was started around the turn of the last century as a stop-over for gold seekers. It is a veritable oasis in the midst of unadulterated wilderness. The Road House in Town offers refuge, camping, food and bar. A dip in the hot springs is worth every cent and is a very unique experience. There are two roads worth exploring: The road to Tofty and the road to Ruby (Wyatt Earp’s famed Gold Rush Residence). Mind “No Trespassing” signs, as you are riding through gold mining country. Gear up light, get on your pegs and get ready for some great jeep trails! Never hurts to talk to the locals as conditions change out on these far, outpost roads.

4. Central

Bear Crossing the Road CentralCourtesy Phil Freeman

This is the unsung hero of adventure riding in Alaska. It is remote, rugged, and the Alaska Flags replace the American ones. The people are hardy, welcoming and will help you seek out some fantastic jeep two-track stuff that fans out from the main road. If you go out there, plan for a couple of days riding. The old gold mining roads out there allow you to access places that literally no one goes to anymore. Make sure to check out Circle City on the Yukon out there. Ride out in the morning and get ready to see some critters.

5. McCarthy

McCarthy General Store Alaska motorcycle tripCourtesy Phil Freeman

This destination is a MUST. It is the old miner’s entertainment town that services the Copper mine at Kennicott, just up the hill. The road out there is a 60-mile dirt blast, the base of which is the old railroad that used to service the mine until the late 30’s. Make sure to stop at the Kuskulana Bridge and check out the cat walks underneath. This is a step back in time, and the best thing about it is that only motorcycles can get across to the town and mine! You may cross at the pedestrian bridge; just make sure there is no one on it. The town is locked in time and the mine is amazing. Take some time there and consider the tour of the mine building at Kennicott. Also, enjoy the old wagon road that links the mine with the town, and passes by the old cemetery. Truly ADV stuff here.

6. Hope

Hope Road in Alaska motorcycle tripCourtesy Phil Freeman

This old gold mining town has seen more prosperous days, but if you like stepping back in time, watching bald eagles, salmon climbing up the river and riding dirt roads through the mountains, this is your spot. Make sure to stop by the Seaview Cafe for seafood chowder or pie at Tito’s Cafe. The ride up Palmer Creek Road is fun and ends in old gold mining ruins. This is a great day ride out of Anchorage, but it’s not bad for an overnight stay either.

7. Petersville Road

View of Mt. McKinley 'Denali' from Petersville Rd Courtesy Timothy Wildey

This is an access road out of Trapper Creek which offers south facing views of Mt. McKinley. It climbs to above tree line and veers west down Cache Creek. It offers on-the-pegs riding, creek crossings and general ADV fun. You can easily spend a couple of days back there exploring trails.

8. Top of the World Highway

Top of the World Highway Alaska Motorcycle TripCourtesy Phil Freeman

Ride from Tok to Dawson and experience great dirt and paved roads that offer broad views and history. Make sure to leave a couple of hours to ride to Eagle on the Yukon River. Dawson itself is a treat and worth a couple of days. Take the Solomon Mine 60-mile circuit out of town and visit the original gold strikes on a dirt road just made for the ADV rider. Make sure to drop by the Downtown Hotel and get yourself a “Sourdough Cocktail” (a drink with a human toe in it!) – You are now an honorary Sourdough!

9. Crown Point

Harding Ice Field in Crown Point AlaskaCourtesy Madeleine Deaton

This is not a long ride but huge in the scale of epic. Ride through Moose Pass on the Kenai Peninsula south, and once out of town you cross the Trail River Bridge and take left. Follow for a couple miles and take the first left. It is just an ATV trail, so come riding light, and get ready to climb thousands of feet to an old gold mine which overlooks Kenai Lake and the Harding Ice Field. Simply amazing.

10. Nabesna Road

Nabesna Road Alaska Motorcycle TripCourtesy Phil Freeman

This is a 40-mile jaunt into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The park itself is impressive, harboring 9 of the 16 tallest peaks on the continent, and is the largest preserve in the United States. The road starts out civil, then throws at you dirt surface and stream crossings, and turns to “rustic”. At the end of the road, past the airstrip, take off your riding boots and put on some hiking shoes and explore the old gold mines up there. There are places in which the miners just left everything behind, and now nature is taking over. This ride is notable as the finish is much more scenic than the start.

Phil Freeman MotoQuestAbout the Author: MotoQuest founder Phil Freeman is an adventurer through and through. Born and raised in Alaska, Phil boasts more than 20 years experience traveling Alaska by motorcycle, and co-authored the award-winning book “The Adventurous Motorcyclist’s Guide to Alaska.” MotoQuest offers guided motorcycle tours around the world and motorcycle rentals in the West Coast of the U.S. For more information, visit motoquest.com

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Days 23 & 24


It’s that time to get to Long Island….😊  I am in Pennsylvania right now and will be heading out soon to finish this incredible X Country trip in my very fun Fiat 500L.

Fiat

Love this car, it did well on this trip and it really reminds me of my F800GS on 4 wheels.

Canada back to the USA.

Canada-2-USA Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Days 23 & 24”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour Days 21-22


May 15 2015 (all picks can be clicked and enlarged)

Staying away from interstates is sure paying off with scenery and roads made for a NASCAR racer.  Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia all have great roads, made for bikes and sporty cars, intense Spring smells, scenery and since it’s before Memorial Day peaceful driving. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour Days 21-22”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 20 – THE DRAGON


May 12 2015-all pics clickable

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do all day here near Robbinsville, NC so I decided to drive up to Knoxsville, TN to check out some RV’s.  Just for the hell of it.  Unbeknownst  to me I ran into the real “Tail of the Dragon”…hence the above video.  I feel a little embarrassed to have thought I drove it the day before but hey…no map no clue.  Now I have an idea why many and I mean many come to drive or ride this road.

381 curves in 11 miles = WOW

Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 20 – THE DRAGON”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 19 – Parks, Glamping and the East


May 11 2015-UPDATE-I’m an idiot lol

Tail of the dragon Rocks! Just actual drove the real thing on my way to Knoxville 

Warm and muggy it was when I left Chattanooga, TN.  I only had a short drive to a place called River’s Edge Treehouse Resort in Robbinsville, NC

More about the resort in a bit.  The Cherokee National Park scenic by way was a treat to drive through. You can tell you are heading into the Blue Ridge/Smoky Mountain range when you see the difference in the trees and rolling hills. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 19 – Parks, Glamping and the East”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Days 17-18


May 10th 2015

Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Days 17-18”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 16


May 7 2015

Forecast

I drove across the plains of Iowa pretty straight through as my goal for this day was Springfield, MO.  It’s storm season around here and when I hit Kansas City, Kansas I got a taste of a wicked thunder, lightening and pouring rain storm cell.  I was on the main highway and the pools of water were deep.  My car was hit a few times with a “tsunami” like waves. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 16”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 14 & 15 – Wall/Badlands


May 6th 2015

Badlands

Today was an interesting day.  Not driving but people.  2 random acts of kindness and a confession.  2 men paid for my coffees today after they heard I was moving, jobless and homeless.  Of course I elaborated but they both at different times felt compelled to help, and get this…they both thought I was in my 30’s.  Flattered to say the least and thanked them without saying you didn’t have too.  The last guy actually threw me a $20 bill…and said “you seem pretty smart, are you?  I know you are but here’s a $20…now put it to good use and best of luck.”  😇

Next guy I ran into owns a cattle feed lot.  OMG, I hate those lots and they also make me really want to be a veggie.  In any case, not about me.  He told me this funny little story.  He had cattle that did not like being kept in a small area full of food.  He swears this cattle was starving himself to death because he knew what was up.  This particular male would stand by the gate, refuse to eat or even have anything to do with the other cattle/herd.  He went on to say he was forced to let him out and roam.  He named this male determined.  Now a family “pet” and is healthy and eats.  I said politely, that is one smart BULL.  He laughed and we parted. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 14 & 15 – Wall/Badlands”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 12 & 13


May 5th 2015

Day 12 was spent just cruising along from Billings, Montana to Deadwood, South Dakota.  Although much of the drive was flat I still find the surrounding in this area to be beautiful.  Weather was great, not too hot and I really did not stop much.  I wanted to get to the Blackhills, SD where I knew I was going to get a cabin and stay for two nights.  Needed to clean out my car, reorganize my “stuff”, just like I do when on my bike and of course sleep and relax. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 12 & 13”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour-Day 11-Cruizer’s good-bye


No words….just a feeling of relief. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour-Day 11-Cruizer’s good-bye”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 10


May 1, 2015

Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 10”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 9 (My head)


April 30th 2015 (all pics in any of my posts can be clicked for HI REZ versions)

I feel like I am living the 2002 philosophical travel memoir by Neil Peart, Ghost Rider.  I get why he kept going out for his rides.

Best route for a car or bike
Best route for a car or bike

Everyday the roads I travel are stunning and beautiful.  Perfect for a bike or car.  However, this day despite what I was seeing my drive felt labored.  I knew at some point on this trip my head would give in to what I have left behind.  As I get closer to taking my Beagles ashes back to his spot in Wyoming, Cruizer’s rock I call it, I seemed to be feeling quite emotional. Today he would have been 11. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 9 (My head)”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 7 & 8 – MOAB FUN


April 28th & 29th 2015

No commentary…just videos and pics…they will show how magical this area is much better than me…👍 I will return to this area one day with my bike.  You need a bike for sure.

Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 7 & 8 – MOAB FUN”

2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 6


April 28th 2015

Spending time in my my car with me has been healing.  The states of Nevada and Utah are so beautiful.  I highly recommend riding your bike on the roads I have been taking or drive.

SPOT rack Day 1-6 Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 6”

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