It’s no secret that the American Southwest is one of the most spectacular places on the planet to ride motorcycles. There’s a reason that the National Park Service has protected so much of this land. It is a feast for the eyes and for the soul, and when a motorcycle is involved it is pure magic.

This week, MotoQuest General Manager and Guide Brenden Anders offers a few reasons why Fall is the best time of year to ride the American Southwest.

Fewer Tourists

Starting the final week of October, the National Parks Service discontinues the Springdale shuttle service into Zion National Park. This marks the official end to the tourist season in the Southwestern United States. This is precisely why our MotoQuest American Southwest Adventure departs Las Vegas on Saturday, October 28th, 2017. We embark on a weeklong journey of sensory overload through countless National and State Parks, Monuments, Forests and Conservation areas. The roads are not clogged with RVs and the lodges lack the “land cruise” tour bus lawn ornaments that are common during peak season. It’s almost as if we have the region to ourselves, free to explore the open roads — and dirt trails, should you choose!

Optimal Riding Weather

Fall is certainly the goldilocks time for temperatures in the Southwest. Remember that much of this ride is through desert, so riding here in the summer months can mean temps in the triple digits. Deserts also get cold in the winter, and some of the higher elevations in Utah that we ride through get a good amount of snow.

October and November fall perfectly between the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. Below you’ll see the average highs in the 60s up in Moab, Utah. Keep in mind that’s going to be on the colder end of the spectrum for this trip as it’s up around 4,000 feet of elevation. As always you should be prepared for unexpected weather and be ready to layer up or down, but we typically see daytime highs in the 60s or 70s during this trip, which makes for truly comfortable riding.

Average October/November temperatures in Moab, UT

Extend Your Riding Season

To go along with the last point, riding season in the colder regions of the United States can come to a sudden and decisive end around this time of year. I’m sure some of you out there brave the cold temps, snow and ice and continue riding in the northern states, but a weeklong trip out to the warm and sunny American Southwest might just be the perfect last hurrah before the winter really sets in.


We always tell riders that a trip through the American Southwest should be at the top of their to-do list. Will this be the year you cross it off? Our guided and fully supported American Southwest Adventure kicks off October 28th, 2017. Or for the do-it-yourself riders out there, October 1st marks the beginning of our reduced off-season rental rates. Check out our Los Angeles area location for more details.

We hope to see you out there on the open roads of the American Southwest this fall! Until then, safe riding!

Brenden Anders
General Manager & Guide