3 Summer Destinations Plus 1 Bonus

As you wait for the snow to melt and look forward to summer, take time now to plan your summer riding destinations. If you want to avoid the lines of cars and crowds at Yellowstone, Arches, and Yosemite National Parks, then read on. Here are three great summer destinations for you and your bike plus one bonus. Click the name of each location to see the website for more details.

1. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada: Just 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire is often overlooked in the glitz and glamour of Vegas. The park features amazing sandstone rock formations that come alive in the setting sun. The sights are a treat for everyone and a photographers dream.

There are also ancient Native American petroglyphs located in many areas of the park as well as two campgrounds and areas for picnicking and hiking. Another fun trivia fact: this was the film location for the climactic ending of the movie Star Trek Generations where Captain Kirk died for the last time - depending on which time line you follow.

2. Silver City. Idaho: It is a beautiful ride into southwest Idaho's Owyhee mountains and it gets better when you reach the ghost town of Silver City. During the 1880's this former mining town was home to 2,500 people, but the mines closed down in 1942 and Silver City is nearly abandoned today.

Today, over 70 buildings remain standing and several of these are supposedly haunted. Silver City still has a functioning restaurant and hotel, that may be haunted. If supernatural settings appeal to you, several years ago the program Haunted Highway documented some spooky activity at Silver City's Masonic Lodge and hotel.

The road up to Silver City starts out as a maintained gravel, but farther up it gets rougher and less maintained. There are also amazing mountain views on this trip so bring your camera and some holy water!

3. Nine Mile Canyon,Utah: Don’t be fooled by the name, this canyon is actually 40 miles long. Located a bit northeast of Price, Utah, Nine Mile Canyon is also an outdoor art museum. The ancient native Fremont and Ute peoples decorated

the canyon walls with some of the most spectacular rock art to be found in Utah. The route through the canyon is a well maintained gravel road with some stretches of pavement making an easy ride for the KLR.

The area is rugged, harsh and beautiful with no services after leaving Wellington, Utah. Be sure you have plenty of gas, water, and some snacks before heading to this art show.

BONUS: On the way to Nine Mile Canyon, take a break in Price, Utah and visit the University of Utah Eastern Prehistoric Museum. The museum is packed with amazing displays documenting Utah’s distant past.

You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering through the detailed displays of dinosaurs, skeletons, fossils, and the people who once lived in ancient Utah. This a first class facility that is often missed by people racing toward Moab. If riding the KLR to a museum sounds odd, remember you are doing it for dinosaurs!!