great motorcycle day trip

We’ve gotten a bit of feedback here at Roadcraft USA from travelers asking if we ever just take short day trips or overnighters. We understand that not everyone has the time and/or resources to take off for weeks on end. In this post we will discuss doing a great motorcycle day trip.

The post will center around some great destinations outside the metropolitan New York City area. Now, more than ever, we welcome contributions from travelers/writers from all over the country. We would love to share your favorite day trips with our readers. Drop us a line if you would like to be a Roadcraft USA reporter.

Get Out of Town

I am based on Long Island, NY, home to some of the worst traffic congestion and road conditions on the planet. Barely 30 miles from the New York City line “The Island” offers little opportunity for exciting motorcycle travel. If you’ve grown out of the same old “bike night” events and local charity rides you’re ready to head out for some real riding.

Getting out of New York City by sunrise

My rides out all pretty much start out the same way. Get through the New York City traffic nightmare early. I generally leave home at first light and cruise easily through metropolitan New York by sunrise. I’d much rather lose an hour’s sleep than sit in a typical NYC traffic jam.

First Stop: Harriman State Park

Just 25 short miles north of the NYC line you’ll reach the entrance to Harriman State Park near Stony Point, NY. I’ve found that taking The Palisades Parkway north from The George Washington Bridge to be one of the most pleasant rides north. The road offers numerous scenic overlooks over The Hudson River. In the early morning hours almost all of the traffic is heading south towards The Big Apple.

A lakeside picnic area in Harriman State Park

The park roads within Harriman State Park are a motorcyclist’s delight. They are tight, twisty and technically challenging. Rarely will you find yourself exceeding the park’s 30MPH speed limit. Do so at your own peril. The park roads are fairly well patrolled; especially on weekends. Get through the park very early in the day. It becomes quite crowded with New York City escapees as the day wears on.

Hawk’s Nest and Beyond

Leaving Harriman State Park head north towards Port Jervis, NY and onto NY Route 97 west. It is here that you will encounter the Hawk’s Nest section that runs alongside The Delaware River. This is a favorite stretch of road for motorcyclists. Sadly the wonderfully twisty section is but a couple of miles long, but it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area. Stop at one of the scenic overlooks and grab a photo. Again…get here early in the day. It gets quite crowded as the day progresses.

NY Route 97 • Hawk’s Nest Highway outside Port Jervis, NY

After a pass in both directions on Hawk’s Nest I like to head south through northwest New Jersey through High Point State Park or the farmland to its east. If you happen to find yourself in Hamburg stop at The Hamburg Diner for breakfast. Order one of their extraordinary baked omelets. You’re welcome.

Next Stop: Dingman’s Ferry

After breakfast head west to The Dingman’s Ferry Bridge and cross The Delaware River into Pennsylvania. This wooden-decked bridge, which is restored every 5 or 6 years, traces its roots back to the mid 18th century.

If you’re just out for a day trip you might consider heading back to Long Island at this point. This would be a wonderful day escape for any Long Island motorcyclist. The Long Island BMW Riders Club does a great motorcycle day trip to Dingman’s Ferry every year. The round trip is easily accomplished within a day’s time including a nice stop for a leisurely lunch somewhere along the route.

On To The Pocono Mountains

Heading southwest out of Dingman’s Ferry you will arrive in East Stroudsburg, PA. Along the way you might consider a stop at Bushkill Falls to take in the beauty of the namesake waterfalls there. There is no shortage of places to lodge, eat, drink and be merry in the Stroudsburg area. It is a popular family travel destination.

Parked alongside a lake in The Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania

I had the pleasure of staying with some great friends who live about 15 miles north of Stroudsburg. We hooked up in the afternoon and spent the day riding around the Pocono Mountains enjoying the great roads, scenic views and some taverns and eateries known only to the locals.

Taking in the scenic views from the famous Skytop Lodge in The Pocono Mountains

Day Two: North To The Catskill Mountains

Heading north out of the Pocono Mountain region head towards Lake Wallenpaupack. You can use nothing but back roads to get there and the riding experience is spectacular. At the north end of the lake you will reach the quaint little town of Hawley, Pennsylvania. Take NY Route 191 from Hawley north towards Hancock, NY.

Once you pass through the town of Honesdale, PA you will find yourself alone on one of the most beautiful stretches of motorcycle road anywhere. I swear I only passed three or four cars over this entire 35 mile stretch of Route 191. The route follows the bank of The Delaware River and you’re treated to many nice scenic views along the way.

New York Route 30

Leave Hancock by hopping on NY Route 17 for two exits. Yes, this is a ’super highway’ known as The New York Quickway. Endure it for 10 minutes and exit at East Branch onto New York Route 30 eastbound.

NY Route 30 alongside the East Branch of The Delaware River

This stretch of NY Route 30 may be one of the most beautiful motorcycle roads anywhere. It winds its way along the shoreline of The Pepacton Reservoir. The road is well paved and is dotted with numerous convenient places to pull over and take in the scenery. It is marked with long sweeping curves and gentle elevation changes. You’ll find it hard to keep below the posted 55MPH speed limit. I rode this route just a couple of days ago and it seemed like I had the entire thoroughfare to myself. Maybe these $5 per gallon gasoline prices are keeping a lot of folks at home.

The Pepacton Reservoir alongside NY Route 30

On To New York Route 28

When you pass the eastern end of the Pepacton Reservoir you’ll come to the town of Margaretville. Route 30 turns north at this point, but we’ll continue east on Route 28. A few miles down the road look for the small signs for The Palmer Hill Overlook. It’s a very short unpaved access road to where you will be treated to one of the most spectacular views of the western range of The Catskill Mountains.

The view from The Palmer Hill Overlook

I’d like to point out that you’re only 140 miles from the New York City line at this spot. For someone that doesn’t shy away from riding 300 miles in a day, this is a quite doable destination for a great motorcycle day trip from the city or Long Island.

Main Street in the tiny hamlet of Pine Hill, NY

If you want to make The Catskill Mountains a destination for an inexpensive overnighter check in to The Colonial Inn in nearby Pine Hill, NY. In my book “Road Work: Images and Insights of a Modern Day Explorer” I describe this venue in great detail. You would be hard pressed to find a more unique venue anywhere.

Continuing East

Continue east on Route 28 through the towns of Big Indian, Phoenicia and Mount Tremper. If you’re up for a really upscale experience The Emerson Resort and Spa in Mt. Tremper is pretty hard to beat. I’ve stayed there on a couple of occasions enjoying the luxurious two-story log cabin-inspired suites and the food & drink served up in its on-premises Woodnotes Grille.

Continue heading east on Route 28 but bear right at the intersection of Route 28A. Route 28 starts to get pretty built up at this point and you’ll encounter some traffic congestion as you approach the city of Kingston, NY. Conversely, Route 28A is a small, narrow, sparsely-traveled road. Be careful. It’s not the best maintained road you’ll ever encounter, but it does offer the scenic beauty of wrapping around The Ashokan Reservoir. Watch your speed on Route 28A. I saw quite a few law enforcement vehicles monitoring traffic speeds on this road.

A view of The Ashokan Reservoir along NY Route 28A

For perspective: you’re only 90 miles away from the New York City line as you round The Ashokan Reservoir. That’s less than a 200 mile day trip we’re talking about now. I know bikers that have put down 200 miles in a day without leaving Long Island. Think differently and enjoy some of the great roads that the rest of New York has to offer.

Into The Hudson Valley

Continuing east away from The Ashokan Reservoir take your pick of bridges to cross The Hudson River. You’ll find two prime choices to head south, back towards civilization. The first is NY Route 22 which runs along the NY-CT border on the NY side. This is truly one of my favorite all time riding roads. The road has long stretches where you can make good time through rolling hills and gentle sweeping curves. There are just enough small towns along the route to keep you honest with their reduced speed limits. Quite simply: it is a pleasure to ride a motorcycle on this road.

Along Route 22 in The Hudson Valley of New York

Incidentally, Route 22 continues north to Comstock and Fort Ann, NY. This makes it a much more enjoyable and motorcycle-friendly route if you happen to be heading to the tourist town of Lake George, NY. Why take the Thruway when you can ride a gem like this?

Further east you will find Route 7 in Connecticut. This is another wonderful motorcycling road; at least north of New Milford, CT. This section of route 7 takes you past Kent Falls State Park. It’s worth a quick stop to see the easily-accessible waterfalls just 200 yards from the parking lot. Route 7 continues south and winds along the shoreline of The Housatonic River. It is quite scenic, fun to ride and has the benefit of being almost entirely tree-covered…a welcome pleasure on those hot summer days.

Kent Falls State Park on Route 7

By the way…Kent Falls State Park is just about 50 miles from the ferry terminal in Bridgeport, CT. We’re now talking about a mere 100 mile trip if you take the ferry out of Port Jefferson on Long Island. Anyone has the ability to do this as a day trip.

Slight Change In Plans

You can see by the map that I didn’t take either Route 22 or Route 7 south on this trip. Somewhere south of The Ashokan Reservoir I ended a 35+ year long streak of good luck. I picked up a nail in my rear tire and found myself on the side of the road effecting an emergency tire repair. Not something that I would say adds to an otherwise great motorcycle day trip. Sure glad I bought that new tire repair kit and portable compressor over the past winter. I probably jinxed myself by doing so.

A map of the roads that are discussed in this feature

The nail entered deep in a tread on the tire…not in a meaty part. I was reluctant to ride it too hard or too far with the plug in place. I also didn’t want to venture into too remote an area now, so I headed southwest on NY Route 209; a fairly well-developed, well-populated thoroughfare. When I got back to an area with cell service I called MAX BMW in New Milford, CT.

Be prepared for roadside tire repair • Even if it’s only once every 30 years

Despite all the supply chain issues we’re hearing about these days, MAX amazingly had my preferred tire in stock. They also had the matching front tire and agreed to “squeeze me in” to their jammed up service department if I arrived the next day. My tires already had more than 7,000 miles on them so it was a no-brainer to replace them both. There’s nothing quite like riding on new tires. Feels like a whole new bike!

Have You Got A Favorite Great Motorcycle Day Trip?

So those are some of my favorite day trips and ‘overnighter’ destinations surrounding my home base of Long Island, NY. I’m sure the Roadcraft USA readers would love to hear about some of your favorites. We want to hear from riders all over The USA about their go-to spots within a days ride of home. Please reach out to us if you would like to write a guest feature for Roadcraft USA. As always, we welcome your comments below and be sure to subscribe to Roadcraft USA for future features.

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URBAN ESCAPE ROUTES • FAVORITE DAY TRIPS AND OVERNIGHTERS