Riders in black helmets cruise together on a winding forest road, surrounded by trees and motion blur.

BABES RIDE OUT OREGON: WHY THIS WOMEN’S MOTORCYCLE EVENT IS MY FAVORITE TO ATTEND

Words and images by Stacy Wilt / @ridetofood

Whether you’re new to riding motorcycles and want to meet other lady riders, or you’re just looking for an excuse to have an epic girls’ weekend with your babe-ly moto crew, Babes Ride Out is the perfect event to attend.

Established in 2013, Babes Ride Out has become one of the most well-known women’s motorcycle events in the world. Their events have ranged from 50 women to over 1,000 in attendance. I’ve been one of those attendees since 2014, and have cultivated many of my long-term friendships with other women riders through these motorcycle campouts.

Their latest campout, hosted in the southern Cascades of Oregon, is one of their best yet. Surrounded by incredible roads and scenery – not to mention how beautiful the venue itself is –  this is a women’s motorcycle event that should be on your calendar for next year.

  • Motorcyclists pose at the Shelter Cove Resort entrance, surrounded by forest and Babes Ride Out banners.
  • Motorcycles and tents glow under string lights in a forested campground at night.

Summer Camp, but make it “Motorcycles”

I’ve been to a lot of motorcycle campouts over the years, and I’m not sure I’ve been to a better venue than this one. Situated along the shores of Odell Lake is the Shelter Cove Resort and Marina.

On-site, you’ll find a full kitchen that serves up incredible food, a general store packed with camping supplies, kayak rentals, fishing guides, and some of the most scenic campsites I’ve ever seen. Each campsite is completely shaded by picturesque Douglas-fir trees. If camping isn’t your jam, there are also cabins and RV sites available.

Sprinkle in a little touch of motorcycle shows, demo rides from Harley-Davidson, a vendor village offering up flash tattoos, chain stitching, deep tissue massages, and jewelry, plus DJs every evening to get the dance party going, and hours of socializing by the community campfire…honestly, I’m not sure this event can be topped!

SURROUNDED BY INCREDIBLE ROADS AND SCENERY – NOT TO MENTION HOW BEAUTIFUL THE VENUE ITSELF IS – THIS IS A WOMEN’S MOTORCYCLE EVENT THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR.

  • Four motorcyclists ride in a line along a winding forest highway seen from above.
  • A row of colorful motorcycles are parked near a lakeside dock surrounded by tall evergreens.

From Mile Crushers to Creatures of Comfort: All are Welcome

One of the coolest parts of this event is that it caters to all varieties of riders. From overlanding rigs that are set up to haul bikes, to the mile-crushers that wanted to tent camp or enjoy a heated cabin, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone.

Walking through the campground and checking out everyone’s rigs was a highlight of the trip. From camping gear to bike builds, seeing how other women enjoy a slice of adventure was pretty cool.

  • A rider sets up camp beside packed motorcycles in a shaded forest clearing.
  • Motorcyclists in helmets and jackets prepare to ride through a wooded campground road.

Incredible Roads and Nearby Attractions

Camping and camaraderie are a huge part of attending this women’s motorcycle event. However, we didn’t ride all the way out here to just sit around the campfire and eat hot dogs. (Well, maybe some of us did, and that’s okay!).

This region of Oregon offers some incredible motorcycle roads, many of which are considered National Scenic Byways or an All-American Road. Here are a few can’t-miss things if you attend Babes Ride Out Oregon: 

WALKING THROUGH THE CAMPGROUND AND CHECKING OUT EVERYONE’S RIGS WAS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP. FROM CAMPING GEAR TO BIKE BUILDS, SEEING HOW OTHER WOMEN ENJOY A SLICE OF ADVENTURE WAS PRETTY COOL.

The author overlooks Crater Lake in Oregon, standing next to her packed Harly-Davidson Low Rider ST.

Crater Lake National Park’s Rim Drive:

Part of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, this is a 33-mile scenic loop that encircles Crater Lake, offering numerous overlooks with panoramic views. It’s also the highest paved road in Oregon.

Four motorcyclists pause beside a forest highway, chatting and taking photos under tall pine trees.

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway:

Babes Ride Out Oregon is hosted near the southern terminus of this 66-mile scenic byway that meanders through the foothills of the Cascades, offering views of lakes formed by volcanic activity and Mt Bachelor. The byway ends in Bend, a high-desert hub known for epic eats.

Four motorcycle riders hold raised hands at a scenic overlook facing a Salt Creek Falls surrounded by dense forest.

Highway 58:

Carving through the Cascades and connecting Eugene to the high desert of Central Oregon, this route features tunnels, Douglas-fir-lined roadways, and access to Salt Creek Falls: the second-highest single-drop waterfall in Oregon.

A motorcyclist rides a packed adventure bike down a forested gravel road lined with tents under tall pines.

Off-road riding:

Plenty of women on dual sports and adventure bikes, like the Harley-Davidson Pan America, hit the nearby forest roads for the day. If you’re a fan of off-road riding, this area is for you! I had serious FOMO being on my Low Rider ST this weekend. Next year, I’ll be back on my Pan America to hit the dirt!

  • A rider signs a clipboard while on their motorcycle as a smiling Babes Ride Out event volunteer flashes rock-on hand signs.

    Oregon and Beyond: Other Babes Ride Out Events

    Babes Ride Out hosts multiple women’s events throughout the year, including a few off-road events that they host under Babes in the Dirt.

GALLERY

A large group of women riders pose lakeside with The Litas Moto Collective banners at the Babes Ride Out event.
Two people relax in hammocks at a forest campsite, smiling and enjoying a laid-back outdoor moment.
A tattoo artist inks a detailed floral design on a person’s arm inside a cozy, well-lit trailer.
A smiling motorcyclist in a purple helmet and rain gear sits on a bike among trees and parked motorcycles.

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