If you love motorcycling, you’ll love Wisconsin. I had the honor of meeting up with groups as far south as Platteville and as far north as Cable while we were filming Wisconsin’s Western Ride for Discover Wisconsin, and it is now completely evident to me how folks fall in love with the open air on the open road. Nothing beats that wind-in-your-hair feeling! The only problem is: I now find myself daydreaming about touring the state on my very own decked-out Harley. With this super sweet helmet. (Hey, a girl can dream!)
Whether you’re a veteran motorcyclist or a newbie on wheels, here are just a few of the state’s top riding routes and destinations to discover by motorcycle:
- Ashland County
Heading up to the northern tip of Wisconsin, you’ll want to carve out a good four or five days for your motorcycling trip in Ashland County. Consider driving to Saxon Harbor or Bad River Casino. You’ll also love Copper Falls State Park for spectacular waterfalls, hiking trails, and picnic area and Little Girl’s Point for scenic views of Lake Superior. Download a map. - Bayfield County
Just west of Ashland County is beautiful Bayfield County. Explore 86 miles of Lake Superior shoreline as well as many small town communities including Washburn, Bayfield and the south shore harbor towns. Motorcyclists will also love riding to and around the Apostle Island National Lakeshore and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Download a map. - Door County
Find adventure, romance and beauty on the rustic roads and scenic shoreline in Door County. The top route in this world-famous county is the Door County Coastal Byway (DCCB), which takes motorcyclists on a 66-mile loop on highways 57 and 42. Heading north, you’ll take in the stunning views of Lake Michigan on Door County’s east coast. As you head south, you’ll enjoy the views of Door County’s bay side through Gills Rock, Ellison Bay and more. Download a map. - Driftless Area
One of the most common questions I get asked is: “Where’s your favorite place in Wisconsin?” It’s a tough question to answer and I typically find myself rattling off a number of Wisconsin destinations but there’s an entire region that always rises to the top for me: the Driftless Area. This southwestern part of Wisconsin is truly stunning no matter how you explore it. But because we’re discovering the state by motorcycle, let’s talk about the Mindoro Cut as well as the Great River Road. The former can be found in Farmington, Wis. and is the second-deepest, hand-built cut in the Western Hemisphere. The latter – The Great River Road – is 250 miles of bluff-top views that meanders through 22 charming river towns. It’s also Wisconsin’s only designated National Scenic Byway, which makes the Great River Road any motorcyclist’s dream route. Download a map. - Platteville
Also located in southwestern Wisconsin is the city of Platteville in Grant County. This area is America’s Dairyland at its finest: think country roads and bucolic vistas at every turn. If you’re up for taking a break from riding around, you might like fly fishing the Platte and Grant Rivers, hiking or biking the scenic landscape or enjoying a challenging round of golf. The Mining Museum, Steve’s Pizza and the iconic “M” should also be on your list of places to visit. Learn more about Platteville.There are several other amazing destinations worth riding to in Wisconsin: Northern and Southern Units of the Kettle Moraine Forest, Waupaca County, Sauk County and more.What’s your favorite area to ride? Let us know below!
