Colorado road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Colorado, pass by pass
The best motorcycle roads in Colorado climb over the Continental Divide: the Million Dollar Highway through the San Juans, Trail Ridge Road across Rocky Mountain National Park, Independence Pass to Aspen and Cottonwood Pass out of Buena Vista. Add canyon runs like the Poudre and plateau roads like Grand Mesa and you have a whole summer. Here are 15, by region, with why each is worth it, what to watch for and when to go.
- Roads listed
- 15
- Highest here
- Pikes Peak, 14,115 ft
- Main season
- June to September
- Check before you go
- COtrip.org
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Colorado
Colorado's great roads are about altitude. Many of them top out above 10,000 feet, a few above 12,000, and that shapes everything: the season is short, the air is thin and cold, and afternoon storms build over the peaks most summer days. The Colorado state guide has the overview. This page goes road by road.
Some of these roads close for winter, and any of them can close for a day after an early storm, rockfall or construction. Check COtrip, CDOT's road conditions site, before every mountain ride, and see the best time to ride in Colorado for opening patterns. For loops close to Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins, use our Colorado Front Range ride guide.
The San Juans
The San Juan Mountains
- 1. Million Dollar Highway (US 550)Why: Ouray to Silverton over Red Mountain Pass, then on over Molas Pass and Coal Bank Pass to Durango: three passes above 10,000 feet, carved into cliffs, with old mines on the slopes. The most famous road in the state. Watch for: Steep drop-offs with few guardrails, tight hairpins climbing out of Ouray, RVs and trucks, rockfall, and cold rain any month. It's maintained year-round, but winter brings avalanche closures. Best season: June to September.
- 2. San Juan Skyway (CO 62 and CO 145)Why: The loop that completes US 550. CO 62 crosses the Dallas Divide with a classic view of the Sneffels Range, then CO 145 runs to Telluride and over Lizard Head Pass to Dolores. Return through Cortez and past Mesa Verde on US 160 to Durango, about 230 miles in all. Watch for: Cold, wet weather up high even in midsummer, deer and elk, and traffic on the Telluride spur. Best season: July to September, and late September for aspen color.
Southern Colorado
Southern passes and the Spanish Peaks
- 3. Wolf Creek Pass (US 160)Why: South Fork to Pagosa Springs over the Continental Divide above 10,000 feet, with long, wide sweepers and a big overlook on the west side. A great road when it's dry. Watch for: Trucks on the long grades, runaway truck ramps for a reason, and some of the heaviest snow in the state outside summer. Best season: June to September.
- 4. Highway of Legends (CO 12)Why: Trinidad to La Veta past Stonewall, over Cuchara Pass and under the twin Spanish Peaks, with rock walls called dikes running across the hills. Low traffic and good curves. Watch for: Deer, gravel in shaded corners and cattle on open range. Best season: May to October.
The central mountains
Over the Divide: the central mountains
The big highway passes are worth riding too: Loveland Pass on US 6 above the Eisenhower Tunnel, Monarch Pass on US 50, Hoosier Pass on CO 9 between Breckenridge and Fairplay, and Kenosha Pass on US 285. They're wider, open more of the year and carry more traffic.
- 5. Independence Pass (CO 82)Why: Twin Lakes to Aspen over the Continental Divide at about 12,100 feet, with alpine tundra at the top and a steep, narrow descent toward Aspen. Watch for: Sections near the top that narrow to barely more than one lane, sheer drops, cyclists and slow traffic. It closes for the winter, usually from early November to late May. Best season: July to September.
- 6. Cottonwood Pass RoadWhy: Buena Vista west over Cottonwood Pass, above 12,000 feet, to Taylor Park, now paved over the top. Ride it with Taylor Canyon, Gunnison and Monarch Pass for a big loop. Watch for: Drop-offs, cyclists, cold at the summit and gravel at the edges. Closed in winter. Best season: July to September.
- 7. Guanella Pass Scenic BywayWhy: Georgetown to Grant over Guanella Pass at about 11,700 feet, with switchbacks above Georgetown and big views of the peaks near the summit. Close to Denver, quiet on a weekday. Watch for: Narrow pavement, tight switchbacks, weekend crowds at the summit trailhead, and snow and ice outside summer. Best season: June to September.
Front Range
Front Range canyons and summits
Closer in, Big Thompson Canyon on US 34, Boulder Canyon on CO 119 and Lefthand Canyon up to Ward are the after-work runs. They're all in the Colorado Front Range ride guide.
- 8. Trail Ridge Road (US 34)Why: Roughly 48 miles from Estes Park to Grand Lake, crossing the park's high tundra with a summit above 12,000 feet. It's the highest continuous paved road in the country, with miles above treeline. Watch for: Elk jams, stopped cars, cold, lightning above treeline and a park entry fee. The park has used timed-entry reservations in summer. Closed in winter, usually from mid-October to late May. Best season: July to September, early in the day.
- 9. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway (CO 7, CO 72, CO 119)Why: Estes Park south along the foothills through Allenspark, Ward and Nederland to Black Hawk, with the Divide in view the whole way. Flowing curves at a relaxed pace. Watch for: Casino traffic near Black Hawk, cyclists on weekends, deer, and crowds at peak aspen color. Best season: June to October.
- 10. Poudre Canyon and Cameron Pass (CO 14)Why: From Fort Collins up the Cache la Poudre, Colorado's only river designated Wild and Scenic, then over Cameron Pass above 10,000 feet to Walden. Long, quiet and twisty. Watch for: Moose near the pass, deer, slow campers, and debris flows near old burn scars after heavy rain. Best season: June to September.
- 11. Pikes Peak HighwayWhy: A toll road climbing about 19 miles from Cascade to the 14,115-foot summit above Colorado Springs, fully paved, with switchbacks above treeline. Watch for: Altitude, which affects you and the bike, brake heat on the way down (use engine braking), cold and wind at the top, and crowds. Reservations have been required at busy times. Best season: June to September.
Western Slope
Western Slope plateaus and canyons
- 12. Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (CO 65)Why: From I-70 east of Grand Junction up onto Grand Mesa, a huge flat-topped mountain over 10,000 feet high with dozens of lakes, then down to Cedaredge. Smooth pavement and big views. Watch for: Deer, cool temperatures on top and slow traffic at the lakes. Best season: June to September.
- 13. McClure Pass and the Black Canyon (CO 133 and CO 92)Why: CO 133 runs from Carbondale past Redstone and over McClure Pass toward Paonia. From Hotchkiss, CO 92 winds above the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to Blue Mesa Reservoir: tight, quiet curves with long drops. Together they're the heart of the West Elk Loop. Watch for: Rockfall, cattle and narrow shoulders. Best season: June to October.
- 14. Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway (CO 141)Why: From Whitewater near Grand Junction through Unaweep Canyon to Gateway, then along the red-walled Dolores River canyon toward Naturita, past the remains of an old hanging flume. Remote and beautiful. Watch for: Long stretches with no fuel or services, wildlife and summer heat. Best season: May to June and September to October.
- 15. Rim Rock Drive, Colorado National MonumentWhy: About 23 miles along the canyon rims between Grand Junction and Fruita, through short tunnels and past red rock towers. Watch for: The park entry fee, drop-offs, cyclists, rockfall and summer heat. Best season: April to June and September to October.
Summary
Colorado motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Million Dollar Highway | San Juans | Jun to Sep |
| San Juan Skyway | San Juans | Jul to Sep |
| Wolf Creek Pass | Southern | Jun to Sep |
| Highway of Legends | Southern | May to Oct |
| Independence Pass | Central | Jul to Sep, closed winter |
| Cottonwood Pass | Central | Jul to Sep, closed winter |
| Guanella Pass | Central | Jun to Sep |
| Trail Ridge Road | Front Range | Jul to Sep, closed winter |
| Peak to Peak | Front Range | Jun to Oct |
| Poudre Canyon and Cameron Pass | Front Range | Jun to Sep |
| Pikes Peak Highway | Front Range | Jun to Sep |
| Grand Mesa | Western Slope | Jun to Sep |
| McClure Pass and CO 92 | Western Slope | Jun to Oct |
| Unaweep Tabeguache | Western Slope | Spring and fall |
| Rim Rock Drive | Western Slope | Spring and fall |
In the app
Rider-added Colorado roads in Rippin'
Below are the Colorado roads riders have added to Rippin' so far. If a pass you love is missing, add it. Ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment: set a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. See how roads get added.
Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads. A segment board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race, and on a road with no guardrail and a 1,000-foot drop, there's nothing to prove.
Big mountain loops claim big turf. Buena Vista over Cottonwood Pass, through Gunnison and back over Monarch Pass closes a loop, and everything inside becomes yours on the live map.
Live from the app
Colorado on Rippin' right now.
10 upcoming events and 24 rider-added roads in Colorado on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Sun Nov 22RM AWOL Turkey Run 2026Littleton
- Sat Dec 547th Annual Toy Run 2026Grand Junction
- Sun Dec 641st Annual Children's Hospital Colorado Toy RunAurora
- Thu Dec 31ABATE of Colorado Last Brass Monkey RunDenver
- Fri Jan 8AMA Kicker Arenacross Colorado Springs 2027Colorado Springs
- Fri Jan 22AMA Kicker Arenacross Loveland 2027Loveland
- Sat Feb 6Colorado Motorcycle Expo 2027Denver
- Fri Feb 26AMA Kicker Arenacross Denver 2027Denver
- Sat May 8AMA Supercross 2027 Round 16 - DenverDenver
- Sat Jun 12Pro Motocross 2027 Round 3 - LakewoodLakewood
Roads riders added in Colorado
- Terryall Waterfall South š¢šµ23.9 mi
- Deckers To Woodland Park š¢\šµ21.2 mi
- Welcome To Tellurideš¢15.5 mi
- The 50 Middle š¢67.0 mi
- The 50 East š¢18.8 mi
- Million Dollar HWY21.7 mi
- Independence Pass31.4 mi
- Guanella Pass23.3 mi
- Manitou Incline š¢13.1 mi
- Manitou Decline šµ13.0 mi
- Deer Creek To Conifer šµ10.7 mi
- Golden Canyon Uphill13.6 mi
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Colorado?
The Million Dollar Highway on US 550 between Ouray and Silverton is the most famous. Trail Ridge Road, Independence Pass, Cottonwood Pass and the San Juan Skyway loop are close behind.
Is the Million Dollar Highway dangerous on a motorcycle?
It's demanding: steep drop-offs, few guardrails and tight hairpins. At a sensible pace on a dry day it's one of the great rides in the country. Avoid it in storms and give RVs room.
When does Trail Ridge Road open?
It usually opens by late May and closes for winter in mid to late October, and it can close for a day any time for weather. The park has used timed-entry reservations in summer, so check before you go.
Can you ride a motorcycle up Pikes Peak?
Yes. The Pikes Peak Highway is a paved toll road to the 14,115-foot summit. Reservations have been required at busy times. Use engine braking on the way down.
What are the best motorcycle rides near Denver?
The Peak to Peak Highway, Guanella Pass, Loveland Pass, Big Thompson and Boulder canyons and Lefthand Canyon. See the Colorado Front Range ride guide for loops.
Can I add Colorado roads to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a Colorado pass on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
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