Well known as a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, Utah has a seemingly endless supply of roads that lead you through some of the most beautiful scenery the USA has to offer. And when it comes to motorcycling in Utah, what you need most is time, because you're going to find more places to ride and things to do that you ever imagined.

> Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is a trip unto itself. It forms a diamond-shaped loop that covers nearly 500 miles in Utah (it also strays into Colorado). If you absolutely had to, you could make the trip in one (long) day's ride, but there is so much to see and do that you could probably take 10 days and still not see everything. Along the way, you will enjoy some of nature's finest artwork in the form of multi-colored rock formations, mountain passes, canyons and cliffs.  The Utah section of the Dinosaur Diamond Highway begins at the Colorado/Utah border and proceeds west on I-70. Its name reflects the area’s rich history, and several parks and museums provide a wealth of information about the earth’s giant inhabitants from eons ago.

> Arches National Park

Among the most popular destinations along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is Arches National Park. Arches National Park sits just off of I-70 near the Utah-Colorado border. The entrance to the park is off Highway 191 near the city of Moab. This hiker’s haven contains the largest density of natural arches in the world, some 2,000 sandstone formations that reveal millions of years of geologic history in a colorful palette of landforms and textures.  If you have a limited time on your ride, drive to the Windows Section and see some of the park's largest arches. Sunset is the best time to stop at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint and see the world's most famous arch, a mile distant. (If you're up for a hike, stroll beneath either North Window or Double Arch.) There’s also Landscape Arch, with its 360-foot base. Stop at Wolfe Ranch on your way back and imagine what it would have been like to homestead in this desolate area in the pioneer days.

Arches is open year-round, 24 hours a day, except on December 25th. The visitor center is open daily as follows: April through October, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m; November through March, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

> Dinosaur National Monument

Continuing around Route 191 will take you to the town of Vernal, near which is the entrance to Dinosaur National Monument. Although the main visitor center was closed in 2006 due to major structural problems related to soil expansion, it is still possible to see an enjoy the park’s unique and wondrous beauty. Park officials are working to reopen the famous cliff face of dinosaur bones as soon as possible. In the meantime, a temporary visitor center has been set up, and a short (1.5 mile round trip) hike will afford you the opportunity to view dinosaur bones.  The dramatic canyon scenery alone is well worth the trip, and ranger-led programs are scheduled throughout the day during summer. One of the best ways to fully appreciate all that this park has to offer is by river rafting. The National Park Service maintains a list of outfitters who offer single and multi-day trips on the area’s rivers.

The temporary visitor center is open year-round, 24 hours a day, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, December 26, and New Years Day. The visitor center hours are: Labor Day through Memorial Day Weekend, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily; Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily.

> There's more

If you are fascinated with dinosaurs, be sure to include a stop at the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. Designated as a national landmark in 1966, the quarry is home to the world’s largest concentration of Jurassic dinosaur bones. More than 12,000 dinosaur bones and one egg have been discovered here. The recently renovated site now has a platform that gives visitors a "paleontologist’s-eye" view of these remarkable bone beds.

For a little more "recent" history, stop in at the Western Mining and Railroad Museum near Helper, Utah. The museum’s four floors of photographs and artifacts tell the fascinating story of the multiethnic immigrants who lived in the town and worked in the coal mines between 1880 and 1936.  The town of Helper also has numerous art galleries, antique stores and specialty shops lining its main street.

> When to go

Plan well ahead to be sure you can get the most out of your Utah excursion. Southeast Utah is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. While summer is a popular travel time for motorcyclists, temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, the late summer monsoon season brings violent thunderstorms, which often cause flash floods. The best times to visit are April through May, and mid-September through October, when daytime highs average 60-80 F and lows average 30-50 F. Though large snowfalls are uncommon (except at the highest elevations), even small amounts of snow or ice can make roads and trails impassable, so be sure to check the park web sites for road closures and updates.