7 Wisconsin Motorcycle Tours for Fall
Fall is the perfect time of year to rev up the motorcycle and tour some of Wisconsin’s most picturesque highways and back roads. Get your group together to enjoy the brisk air and brilliant fall color on these fantastic scenic drives during autumn.
1. Drive Through Delightful Door County
Bordered by Lake Michigan on the east and Green Bay on the west, Door County has 300 miles of picturesque shoreline, more than any other county in the United States. It also has the most lighthouses, with 11 – many over a century old – and five state parks.
Hop on the Door County Coastal National Scenic Byway for 66 miles of rolling sand dunes, lake vistas and brilliant fall color. When you get hungry, stop for a treat at a local orchard like Seaquist Orchards Farm Market or Choice Orchards. And with countless bed & breakfasts and hotels throughout the county, it’s easy to transform your fall road trip into the perfect autumn getaway.
2. Cruise Through the Kettle Moraine State Forest
Winding its way on country roads from Elkhart Lake to Whitewater Lake, the 115-mile Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive connects the Northern and Southern units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Glacial movement more than 10,000 years ago formed geological features on this route such as gumdrop-shaped hills, steep ridges and shimmering lakes, creating a unique landscape.
Near the mid-point of this drive, you’ll spot Holy Hill, a historic national shrine with a chapel built in 1858. From this vantage point, more than 1,400 feet above sea level, visitors can see miles and miles of southeastern Wisconsin countryside, making it a popular pilgrimage during peak months of fall color.
As you continue your ride south, don’t miss the opportunity to stop at Old World Wisconsin located in Eagle. Fall is the perfect time to visit this 600-acre re-creation of working farmsteads and settlements, with more than 65 buildings from the late 1800s-early 1900s.
With Milwaukee and Lake Geneva nearby, it’s easy to find places to stay on your fall color adventure.
3. Loop A Section of Lake Michigan
Motorcyclists can follow the Lake Michigan Circle Tour to discover coastal villages, historic lighthouses and the spectacular seascapes of Lake Michigan against fall hues. The full tour is around a thousand miles long and passes through four states, but hopping on at any point of Wisconsin’s stretch guarantees a memorable fall ride.
Start from Kenosha, where North Pier Lighthouse and the Southport Light Station Museum make for postcard-perfect photo-ops. Next, in Milwaukee, visit the Harley Davidson Museum for a deep dive into motorcycle culture.
From there, it’s a scenic ride to Sheboygan, home to Kohler-Andrae State Park and a lively downtown made up of galleries, shops and tasty restaurants.
Continue on to Door County and Marinette to complete the Wisconsin Lake Michigan tour or stop and stay a while at any of these charming communities flush with fall color.
4. Take A Maritime Tour
Forty miles of scenic Lake Michigan shoreline, rolling hills and charming small towns along Highway 42 in Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties make the Lake Michigan Maritime Tour popular with motorcyclists each fall. Step back in time at Two Rivers’ Rogers Street Fishing Village, tour the WWII-era Tug Ludington in Kewaunee and sample fine wine at the von Stiehl Winery in Algoma. For an extra adventure, book an exciting charter fishing trip, available in all three communities, and get a glimpse of the colorful coastline display from a new vantage point.
5. Get on the Great River Road
Among the state’s top scenic motorcycle tours in fall is the Great River Road. This National Scenic Byway follows Wisconsin’s western border for 250 miles from Prescott to Potosi on Hwy. 35.
Nestled between the mighty Mississippi River on one side and tall, rugged bluffs on the other, this route offers wonderful vistas of the river valley alive with fall colors. Travelers have many lodging choices from historic inns to romantic B&Bs in one of the 33 quaint and historic river towns along the way. Other attractions include two wildlife refuges and several historic sites.
6. Ride the Great Divide
Another memorable motorcycle tour in fall is the Great Divide National Scenic Highway. This route takes travelers through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin from Hayward to Glidden.
The tall pine forest is home to abundant wildlife and gives travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the brilliant autumn color of Wisconsin’s majestic Northwoods. Extend your trip by staying in Hayward, which offers a variety of lodges, resorts and spectacular camping.
7. Explore Remarkable Rustic Roads
Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads program began in order to preserve scenic country roads for hikers, cyclists and motorists to enjoy. Choose from over 120 designated routes throughout Wisconsin and you’re in for a gorgeous ride, especially in fall. Check out the full guide for more inspiration and information.
Keep the autumn adventures going by exploring more adventures on Wisconsin Rustic Roads!
