Top Motorcycle Rides in Colorado
Colorado shares its magnificent motorcycle routes with neighboring states like Utah’s red rock canyons, New Mexico’s high desert paths, and Wyoming’s mountain passes. Riders often combine Colorado’s best motorcycle rides in Wyoming and Utah’s scenic routes into extended touring adventures. For those entering from the east, Kansas’s open prairies provide a striking contrast to Colorado’s mountainous terrain.
1. The San Juan Skyway
This 236-mile loop connecting Cortez, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango offers:
- Full-day riding adventure through multiple passes
- Access to Mesa Verde National Park
- Historic mining communities
- Diverse mountain landscapes
2. Independence Pass Adventure
This 80-mile seasonal route connecting Glenwood Springs to Twin Lakes includes:
- Technical riding at 12,095 feet elevation
- Spectacular aspen grove scenery
- Access to premier mountain towns
- Natural hot springs opportunities
3. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway
This legendary route from Idaho Springs to Mount Blue Sky summit stands as North America’s highest paved road. The 28-mile journey ascends to a breathtaking 14,266 feet, offering riders:
- Spectacular glacier-carved valleys
- Panoramic Continental Divide views
- Wildlife encounters with mountain goats and bighorn sheep
- Multiple switchbacks and technical riding challenges
Note: Currently closed for improvements through 2025; timed-entry permit required upon reopening.
4. Trail Ridge Road
Stretching 48 miles between Estes Park and Grand Lake, this engineering marvel holds the title of America’s highest continuous paved road. Riders experience:
- Sweeping curves above treeline
- Abundant wildlife viewing opportunities
- Alpine tundra ecosystems
- Stunning Rocky Mountain National Park vistas
5. Million Dollar Highway
Part of the San Juan Skyway, this iconic stretch between Ouray and Silverton delivers:
- Crimson and purple mountain panoramas
- Technical riding at elevations over 11,000 feet
- Access to preserved mining towns
- Challenging switchbacks and exposed sections
Best Motorcycle Roads in Colorado
1.Los Caminos Antiguos
This 129-mile cultural journey from the New Mexico border to Alamosa features:
- Colorado’s oldest surviving community
- Great Sand Dunes National Park access
- Historic Our Lady of Guadalupe church
- Fort Garland military history
2.Frontier Pathways
The 103-mile route linking Pueblo, Westcliffe, and Colorado City showcases:
- Majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains
- San Isabel National Forest exploration
- Prairie-to-peak transitions
- Rich cultural heritage sites
For riders exploring beyond Colorado’s borders, New Mexico’s diverse landscapes offer year-round riding opportunities to the south, while Nebraska’s Sandhills provide unique prairie experiences to the northeast. The interconnected nature of these routes creates endless possibilities for memorable motorcycle adventures across the American West.
Motorcycle Rides in the US by States
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Vishwanath Mathpati
I am Vishwanath Mathpati, a full-time Blogger and Motorcyclist from Bidar, Karnataka. I love writing about my Motorcycles Stories and Riding Gears on this blog.
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