A big part of the appeal of riding is leaving behind the unnecessary, traveling with just two wheels and an engine on the open road. Motorcycle camping allows you to extend that freedom, ensuring that after a day of exploring the countryside, you don’t have to retreat indoors. If you’re planning a motorcycle camping trip to escape urban life, we’ve compiled five ideal spots where you can pitch your tent and park your bike for the night.
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1. Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, California
Located about 200 miles north of Los Angeles, Alabama Hills is a breathtaking paradise nestled between Death Valley and Sequoia National Parks— a favorite filming location for classic westerns. The nearby village of Lone Pine offers all the essentials, making it easy to stock up before a short ride into the Hills to find your ideal campsite.
The lower areas are known for their rounded rock formations, giant boulders, and sandy terrain, and can often be busy with hikers and large RVs parked among the geological features. However, riders on adventure bikes can follow the trails higher into the hills, where RVs can’t reach, to find a secluded spot with spectacular views of the hills below and Mount Whitney in the distance. As a national scenic area, there isn’t a designated campground, but formal campgrounds are nearby.
2. Goose Island Campground, Utah
While Alabama Hills offers a vast area to explore, Goose Island Campground is a convenient spot to settle in for the night, providing easy access to southern Utah’s breathtaking scenery. Goose Island is essentially a pull-off from Highway 128, offering Recreation Land camping with pit toilets as the only amenity. Despite its proximity to the road, the campground is located right next to the Colorado River and in the shadow of a massive rock face, carved over time by river erosion, that forms the edge of Arches National Park.
Moab is less than 10 minutes away for supplies, and the site is an easy ride from numerous National Parks, Forests, and Monuments. For those seeking more options, two additional BLM campgrounds are located a little farther up Highway 128. Riders looking for more amenities can head to Canyonlands Gateway, just north of Moab on US 191.
3. Hidden Valley Campground, South Dakota
Riders seeking a quiet break from the excitement of rallies and races should consider spending a night or two at Hidden Valley Campground, located 8 miles down US 385 from Deadwood, South Dakota. Just a half-hour ride from Sturgis, this privately-owned campground is well-versed in hosting riders and offers plenty of amenities, including WiFi, on-site laundry, and a convenience store with a trading post vibe.
In addition to the Sturgis Rally, the area is renowned for its excellent riding roads around the Black Hills, and while you’re there, why not take a detour to visit the iconic Mount Rushmore?
4. Rider’s Roost Motorcycle Resort, North Carolina
Dedicated to two-wheeled travelers, Rider’s Roost offers a quieter setting since it’s not located on one of the main highways. For those who don’t feel like camping, the resort also has cozy wooden cabins available for rent. From this starting point, a ride toward Deal’s Gap and the famous “Dragon“, is an incredible day trip along some of the best blacktop around. Plus, the region is so popular with bikers that there are several other great motorcycle-only resorts nearby.
You also have the Appalachian Mountains, stretching from the Canadian Maritimes down to Alabama, which are a rider’s paradise. Plus, the section running through western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee is world-renowned for its twisty country roads winding through the hills.
5. Yukon Motorcycle Park, Yukon, Canada
For the truly adventurous moto campers, how about heading north—way north—of the border? Just 1,500 miles north of Seattle, the Yukon Motorcycle Park welcomes two-wheeled explorers traveling along the legendary Alaska Highway. The remote Canadian Yukon territory boasts a sparse human population but is rich in wildlife, with frequent sightings of grizzlies, moose, elk, caribou, and bison. The surrounding mountainous scenery is some of the most breathtaking anywhere.
Conveniently located right along the Alaska Highway, the Yukon Motorcycle Park offers tent sites and rentable walled tents, with showers and firewood included in the nightly rate. For those craving a taste of civilization after all that riding, the city of Whitehorse is only about a dozen miles up the highway and offers great restaurants and amenities.
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Creating a comprehensive list of all the incredible motorcycle camping spots would easily run into the hundreds. Before you head to your next camping adventure, make sure you find the perfect ride on Cycle Trader.
