Motodiscovery
Copper Canyon Motorcycle Adventure: San Antonio to the Sierra Madre
Tour Overview
Welcome to the Motodiscovery Copper Canyon Motorcycle Adventure! This 9-day tour, starting and ending in San Antonio, Texas, takes you deep into Mexico’s legendary Sierra Tarahumara via the Presidio/Ojinaga border crossing. Prepare for incredible paved twisties, breathtaking canyon vistas, rich cultural experiences, and optional challenging routes for the truly adventurous.
This itinerary includes stays in Chihuahua City, the charming mountain town of Creel, the remote historic mining village of Batopilas at the bottom of its canyon, and a visit to Urique Canyon. It’s a journey designed for experienced riders looking for an unforgettable challenge.
Riding Map & Route Concept
This route is ambitious and includes challenging segments. The Google Maps link provides a general outline. Specific paths, especially into and between canyons like Batopilas and Urique, require careful local inquiry and may not be accurately mapped by consumer GPS.
Key Segments:
- San Antonio, TX -> Presidio, TX / Ojinaga, CHIH (Border Crossing) -> Chihuahua City
- Chihuahua City -> Creel
- Creel -> Batopilas Canyon
- Batopilas -> Urique Canyon (EXTREMELY CHALLENGING SEGMENT)
- Urique area -> Northbound return via Sierra towns -> Ojinaga/Presidio -> San Antonio
View Conceptual Route on Google Maps
Note: The link is a high-level plan. The Batopilas-Urique segment shown on Google Maps may not represent the actual rideable path or its true difficulty. Backtracking from Batopilas and approaching Urique via Bahuichivo is a more common alternative if the direct route is impassable or too risky.
9-Day Adventure Itinerary: San Antonio – Canyons – San Antonio
Book accommodations well in advance, especially for Batopilas and Urique as options are limited. All distances are approximate and riding times can vary significantly based on road conditions and stops.
| Day | Date | From -> To | Approx. Miles | Notes, Hotel & Restaurant Ideas (Examples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saturday | San Antonio, TX -> Chihuahua City, CHIH | ~560 miles | Extremely early start. Presidio/Ojinaga border crossing. Get FMM & TVIP in Ojinaga. Good highway to Chihuahua. Hotels (Chihuahua City): Restaurants (Chihuahua City): |
| 2 | Sunday | Chihuahua City, CHIH -> Creel, CHIH | ~170 miles | Beautiful paved twisties into the Sierra Tarahumara. Visit Mennonite fields near Cuauhtémoc if time permits. Hotels (Creel): Restaurants (Creel): |
| 3 | Monday | Creel, CHIH -> Batopilas, CHIH | ~85 miles | Spectacular descent into Batopilas Canyon. Mostly paved but very tight, steep, and demanding. Allow 4-6 hours. Incredible views. Hotels (Batopilas): Restaurants (Batopilas): Local family-run eateries. Ask at your hotel. Carolina’s, Doña Mica. |
| 4 | Tuesday | Batopilas – Local Exploration | Varies | Explore historic Batopilas, visit the Satevo Mission (Lost Cathedral), hike, relax by the river. Food Tip: Enjoy simple, delicious home-style meals. |
| 5 | Wednesday | Batopilas, CHIH -> Urique, CHIH | ~50-70 miles (highly variable) | EXTREME CHALLENGE ROUTE: The direct route Batopilas-Urique is for expert off-road riders on appropriate bikes ONLY. Extremely rough, remote, potential for impassability. Seek local current conditions in Batopilas. Alternative: Backtrack towards Creel, then ride via Bahuichivo to Urique (longer, more established roads). Ride to Urique. If taking the direct route, this will be a full, arduous day. Hotels (Urique): Restaurants (Urique): Limited options, often hotel-based or small local “comedores.” |
| 6 | Thursday | Urique, CHIH -> Bahuichivo/Cerocahui area or San Rafael | ~40-70 miles | Ascend from Urique Canyon. Bahuichivo/Cerocahui offer good lodging and access to CHEPE train line views. San Rafael is a larger junction town. Hotels (Cerocahui/Bahuichivo): Restaurants: Hotel restaurants are common. |
| 7 | Friday | Bahuichivo/San Rafael -> Nuevo Casas Grandes, CHIH | ~250-280 miles | Longer riding day, heading north. Good paved roads via La Junta, Guerrero, Madera. Nuevo Casas Grandes is near Paquimé archaeological site. Hotels (Nuevo Casas Grandes): Restaurants (Nuevo Casas Grandes): Various options for steak, local Mexican fare. |
| 8 | Saturday | Nuevo Casas Grandes, CHIH -> Presidio, TX / Fort Stockton, TX | ~200 miles to Presidio + ~160 miles to Ft Stockton | Ride to Janos, then south to Agua Prieta/Douglas OR east to Ojinaga/Presidio (Ojinaga is more direct from NCG for this return). Cancel TVIP at the border. Cross into US, ride to Fort Stockton or similar West Texas town. Hotels (Fort Stockton): |
| 9 | Sunday | Fort Stockton, TX -> San Antonio, TX | ~280 miles | Complete return journey to San Antonio. Reflect on an epic adventure! |
Food Guide: Savoring Chihuahua
Chihuahua’s cuisine is hearty and flavorful. For detailed food tips, refer to the general advice in the safety section and be adventurous!
- Chihuahua City: Upscale dining to fantastic street food (“montados” are a must-try).
- Creel: Good local restaurants, often featuring trout (“trucha”). Many serve international backpacker-friendly options too.
- Batopilas & Urique: Simpler, home-style cooking. Expect fresh, local ingredients. Hotel meals are often the main option.Try “machaca” (dried shredded beef), “caldo de res” (beef soup), and fresh tortillas everywhere.
- General Northern Mexico: Carne Asada, Burritos (often simpler than US versions), Discada (if you can find it!), Menudo, Queso Menonita/Asadero.
- Street Food: Tacos, gorditas, elotes. Choose clean, busy vendors.
- Drinks: Agua Frescas (Jamaica, Horchata), local beers (Bohemia, Indio, Tecate).
Permits, Insurance & Evacuation
Proper documentation and coverage are essential for a smooth trip.
1. FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple – Tourist Permit)
- What: Your personal tourist permit.
- Get it: At the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office at the Ojinaga border.Pre-fill FMM Online (Official INM Site – print and take to border for stamp)
- Requires: Valid passport. Cost varies (~$35-40 USD, sometimes free for under 7 days by land – verify current policy).
2. TVIP (Temporary Vehicle Import Permit)
- What: Permit for your motorcycle. Essential for travel beyond the border zone.
- Get it: At the Banjercito office at the Ojinaga border.Banjercito TVIP Information (Official Site)
- Requires: Passport, US Driver’s License, Original Vehicle Registration/Title (if financed, notarized permission letter from lienholder).
- Cost: Permit fee (~$50-60 USD) + Refundable Deposit ($200-400 USD for motorcycles, based on year).CRUCIAL: Cancel TVIP at Banjercito upon exiting Mexico to get your deposit back.
3. Mexican Motorcycle Insurance
- Requirement: MANDATORY. US insurance is generally not valid for liability in Mexico.
- Recommendation: Motodiscovery advises using a reputable broker.Get a Quote from MexAdventure Insurance
- Coverage: Get full coverage (liability, collision, theft, medical) for the duration of your trip.
4. Medical Evacuation Coverage
- Recommendation: For remote adventure travel, robust medical evacuation coverage is highly advisable.Explore Medjet Evacuation Policies
- Why: In case of serious injury/illness, Medjet can arrange transport to your home hospital. Standard travel insurance often only takes you to the “nearest suitable facility.”
Safety, Bike Prep & Riding Tips
Motorcycle Preparation:
- Full Service: Fresh fluids, good tires (consider 50/50 dual-sport for Batopilas/Urique routes), brakes, chain/sprockets, battery check.
- Toolkit: Comprehensive kit for your bike, tire repair kit (plugs AND tubes/irons if applicable), portable air compressor.
- Spares: Levers, fuses, spark plug, JB Weld, zip ties, duct tape.
- Luggage: Secure, waterproof, and well-balanced. Soft luggage is often better for rough roads.
Riding in Mexico:
- Daylight Riding: Strongly advised, especially in remote areas. Hazards (animals, potholes, “topes”) are abundant.
- “Topes” (Speed Bumps): Expect them everywhere, often unmarked. Approach towns and villages slowly.
- Road Conditions: Highly variable. Paved roads can be excellent or have sudden potholes. Unpaved sections to Batopilas/Urique are challenging.
- Fuel: Pemex is the main brand. Attendants pump gas; tip 5-10 pesos. Confirm pump is zeroed. Carry extra fuel if attempting very remote routes like Batopilas-Urique direct.
- Checkpoints: Military/Police checkpoints are common. Be polite, have documents ready.
- Navigation: GPS is helpful, but download offline maps (Google Maps, OsmAnd). Paper maps are a good backup. Be prepared for discrepancies in remote areas.
- Communication: Basic Spanish is invaluable. Consider a satellite messenger (Garmin InReach, Spot) for remote areas with no cell service.
- Security: Be aware of your surroundings. Check current US State Department travel advisories for Chihuahua. Ride in groups if possible. Secure your bike well at night. Avoid unnecessary displays of wealth. The Ojinaga route is generally considered safer than some alternatives.