Texas Motorcycle Rides
FM 170 River Road:
The Texas Motorcycle Ride Every Rider Should Make
Twisting beside the Rio Grande through the mountains of far West Texas, FM 170 delivers curves, elevation changes, desert scenery and one of the most unforgettable motorcycle rides in the state.
There are roads you ride to get somewhere.
And then there are roads you ride because the road itself is the destination.
FM 170 through the Big Bend region is one of those roads.
Known as the River Road or Camino del Rio, this ribbon of pavement twists through the mountains of far West Texas with the Rio Grande running beside it and Mexico rising dramatically on the opposite bank.
For a motorcycle rider, it has almost everything you could ask for: sweeping curves, tight turns, elevation changes, enormous views, light traffic and mile after mile of landscape that looks nothing like the Texas most people know.
Motorcycle Man SaysIf you are building a list of the best motorcycle rides in Texas, FM 170 belongs near the very top.
01
The Ride: Presidio to Lajitas
The legendary portion of FM 170 runs roughly 65 to 70 miles between Presidio and Lajitas, continuing toward Terlingua and Study Butte.
Don’t let the mileage fool you.
This is not a road you want to knock out as quickly as possible. FM 170 repeatedly climbs away from the Rio Grande, dives toward the river, squeezes between rock walls and opens into enormous desert vistas.
There are plenty of places where you will want to pull over, shut the motorcycle off and simply look around.
THE ROUTE
Presidio ↔ Lajitas
Curves. Elevation. Desert. Rio Grande. One unforgettable Texas ride.
02
This Is What West Texas Was Made For
One of the things that makes FM 170 special is the feeling of isolation.
There are no city skylines. No suburban intersections. No endless line of strip centers.
Instead, you get desert, mountains, rock formations and the Rio Grande.
For long stretches, Mexico is right there on the other side of the river. The landscape doesn’t stop at the international border. Mountains and canyon walls continue in every direction, creating views that seem impossibly large from the seat of a motorcycle.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you ride in the first place.
The road demands enough attention to keep things interesting, but every time the terrain opens up, the scenery tries to steal your concentration.
Don’t let it. There are plenty of safe places to stop and enjoy the view.
The Iconic Section
The Big Hill
You’ll know it when you see it.
Every great motorcycle road seems to have one section riders remember.
On FM 170, it’s The Big Hill.
The highway climbs dramatically above the Rio Grande before dropping back toward the river through a series of steep grades and curves.
From the overlook, you can see FM 170 winding through the desert below with mountains stretching deep into Mexico.
It’s spectacular.
It’s also a good reminder that River Road deserves respect.
01
Look Through the Curve
Keep your focus where you want the motorcycle to go, not on the scenery beside you.
02
Manage Entry Speed
Give yourself room for tightening turns, elevation changes and changing road conditions.
03
Leave Something in Reserve
Public roads can deliver surprises. Ride at a pace that gives you room to respond.
The reward here isn’t getting through FM 170 quickly. The reward is riding FM 170.
03
Stop at Closed Canyon
One of the easiest worthwhile stops along the route is Closed Canyon in Big Bend Ranch State Park.
The trail leads into a narrow slot canyon cut through the surrounding rock and makes a great break from several hours in the saddle.
Stretch your legs.
Drink some water.
Walk into the canyon.
Then get back on the bike.
That’s a pretty good day in West Texas.
Worth Pulling Over For
More Stops Along River Road
The Hoodoos
Huge weathered rock formations shaped by thousands of years of erosion make this another worthwhile place to slow down and explore.
Fort Leaton
Near Presidio, the historic adobe trading post dates back to the 1800s and fits perfectly with the remote West Texas character of the ride.
Lajitas & Terlingua
Fuel up, grab some food and use the eastern end of FM 170 as your base for exploring even more of the Big Bend region.
Motorcycle Logic
Ride It Both Directions
FM 170 is absolutely one of those roads worth riding twice.
A road rarely feels the same going the other direction.
The sightlines change.
The mountains appear differently.
The entire ride becomes something new.
Before You Go
This Is Remote Country
FM 170 feels wild because it is remote. That’s part of the appeal, but it also means riders need to arrive prepared.
✓Fill your tank before heading out.
✓Carry plenty of drinking water.
✓Check tire pressure and motorcycle condition.
✓Download maps before losing cell service.
✓Carry basic tools and a tire repair kit.
✓Let someone know your intended route.
Don’t assume your phone will solve every problem. In this part of Texas, sometimes it won’t.
Heat Changes Everything
Big Bend is desert country. During hotter months, temperatures can become dangerous quickly, especially when you’re wearing riding gear and sitting above an engine.
Start early. Drink water regularly. Take breaks. Don’t wait until you’re already thirsty.
Watch Weather & Water
Desert weather can change quickly. Storms miles away can send water, mud and debris through low areas and washes.
Never assume water across the road is shallow enough to cross safely, especially on two wheels.
06
Motorcycle Man’s Take: Ride Your Own Ride
FM 170 isn’t a racetrack.
It isn’t a place where you have to prove anything to the rider in front of you.
If somebody wants to go faster, let them go.
If your group is pushing harder than you’re comfortable with, back off.
If you want to stop and take a picture, stop.
Some of the worst decisions riders make happen because they’re trying to ride somebody else’s pace. Ride your own ride.
The Verdict
Is FM 170 Worth the Trip?
Absolutely.
Texas has plenty of great motorcycle roads. The Hill Country has the Three Sisters. Central Texas has the Devil’s Backbone. East Texas has pine forests and sweeping backroads. The Gulf Coast has long stretches beside the water.
But FM 170 is different.
It feels bigger. More remote. More dramatic.
It’s one of those rare roads where almost every mile feels like part of the experience.
Stop at Closed Canyon.
Walk around the Hoodoos.
Take in the view from Big Hill.
Then ride it all again in the other direction.
Because some roads are simply too good to ride only once.
Motorcycle Man
Ride Safe. Know Who to Call.
Motorcycle Man is built around one idea: motorcyclists deserve someone in their corner who understands riding.
If you’re involved in a motorcycle crash in Texas and have questions about what happens next, Motorcycle Man is available to talk.
No pressure. No charge for the conversation. Just answers from people who understand motorcycles, motorcycle crashes and Texas law.
