Seasons
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Colorado
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Colorado is June to September for the high passes, and much of the year on dry days along the Front Range. Trail Ridge Road and Independence Pass usually open in late May and close in October or early November. July and August bring afternoon storms over the peaks, and mid to late September brings aspen gold. Here's the year, month by month and region by region.
- High passes
- June to September
- Front Range
- Dry days most of the year
- Aspen color
- Mid to late September
- Storms
- Afternoons, July and August
The short version
Colorado has a short high season and a long low one
Denver sits at about 5,280 feet. Many of the best passes are twice that. So Colorado really has two riding calendars. The plains, the Front Range cities and the Western Slope valleys can ride on dry days in almost any month. The high passes, where the famous roads are, have a season of about four months. The Colorado state guide covers the regions. This page is about timing.
Most riders plan the big pass days for July, August and the first half of September, and ride the canyons near home the rest of the year.
Month by month
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Colorado, month by month
| Month | Front Range and lower valleys | High passes and the San Juans |
|---|---|---|
| January | Dry days between storms. Sand and de-icer on roads | Snow. Seasonal passes closed |
| February | Dry days between storms | Snow. Seasonal passes closed |
| March | Often the snowiest month in Denver | Deep snow. Avalanche season |
| April | Warming, spring storms still likely | Snow. Seasonal passes closed |
| May | Good, with hail possible late | Seasonal passes start opening late in the month |
| June | Prime. Hail and storm season | Opening up. Snowbanks at the top |
| July | Hot afternoons, storms | Prime mornings. Afternoon lightning |
| August | Hot afternoons, storms | Prime mornings. Afternoon lightning |
| September | Prime | Prime. Aspen color mid to late month |
| October | Great early, colder late | Color early in the south, closures begin |
| November | Dry days, cold mornings | Seasonal passes closed |
| December | Dry days between storms | Snow. Seasonal passes closed |
General patterns, not a forecast. Snow can fall above 11,000 feet in any month. Check the weather and COtrip before you ride.
Front Range
Riding the Front Range year-round
Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs get real winter storms, but they usually melt off fast, and a dry, sunny January afternoon is common. On those days, the lower canyons and the plains are rideable. Watch for sand, gravel and de-icer residue on the pavement, especially in shaded corners, for days after each storm.
Spring is the tricky season. March is often Denver's snowiest month, and big April storms happen. From late spring through summer, the plains east of the mountains see frequent hail. If the sky turns green-gray and the wind shifts, get under a roof.
Summer brings 90-degree afternoons in the cities and storms building over the foothills by early afternoon. Ride early, then head up into the canyons where it's cooler. The roads are in the best motorcycle roads in Colorado.
High passes
When Colorado's high passes open and close
Typical patterns, which shift with each year's snow. Check COtrip or the park before you go.
- Trail Ridge Road (US 34): usually opens by late May and closes for winter in mid to late October. Weather can close it any day.
- Independence Pass (CO 82): closed in winter, typically from early November to late May.
- Cottonwood Pass: closed in winter, usually opening in late spring.
- Plowed but wintry: US 550 over Red Mountain, Wolf Creek Pass, Monarch Pass and Loveland Pass are maintained in winter, with snow, ice and avalanche-control closures.
- Early fall storms: a September cold front can put snow on any pass above 11,000 feet. Have a lower route ready.
Summer storms
Afternoon storms and lightning
From late June through August, moist air builds thunderstorms over the mountains most afternoons. Above treeline, a rider is the tallest thing around. The standard plan: top the big passes in the morning and be back below treeline by early afternoon.
Storms also bring hail, sudden cold rain and temperature drops of 20 degrees or more. Pack rain gear and a warm layer even on a hot morning in town. After a storm, watch for gravel and small rocks washed onto the road in switchbacks.
Fall
Aspen season: mid to late September
Aspen color usually peaks in mid to late September in the northern and central mountains, a little later in the south and at lower elevations. It's the most popular riding window of the year. Good color rides include the Peak to Peak Highway, Guanella Pass, Independence Pass, McClure Pass on CO 133, the San Juan Skyway and the Highway of Legends.
Leaf-peeper traffic is heavy on peak weekends, so ride midweek if you can. Nights get cold, and the first snow on the passes often comes in late September or October.
By region
Best months to ride, by Colorado region
The Western Slope around Grand Junction is lower and drier, so its season is longer: Colorado National Monument and the canyon roads ride well in spring and fall, when the passes are still closed or already shut.
| Region | Best months | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Front Range and plains | April to October, plus dry winter days | Spring snow, summer hail |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | July to September | Winter closure, summer crowds |
| Central mountains | July to September | Afternoon lightning |
| San Juans | July to September | Cold rain, early snow |
| Western Slope valleys | April to June, September to October | Summer heat |
| Southern Colorado | May to October | Wolf Creek snow outside summer |
Traffic
When Colorado's mountain roads are busiest
Summer weekends are busy everywhere in the mountains. I-70 between Denver and the high country backs up on Friday evenings heading west and Sunday afternoons heading east, so leave early or ride midweek. Rocky Mountain National Park has used timed-entry reservations in summer to manage crowds.
Events close roads too. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic from Durango to Silverton, usually over Memorial Day weekend, shuts parts of US 550 on race day, and the Pikes Peak hill climb closes the highway during race week. See Colorado motorcycle events for the riding calendar.
Plan it
Plan your Colorado season with Rippin'
- Weather alertsRippin' sends weather alerts before you ride, and riders flag hazards like rockfall and gravel on the map.
- Ride plansShare a ride card with an early departure, route, stops and RSVPs, so the crew is over the pass before the storms.
- AI trip plannerBuild a San Juan Skyway weekend or a multi-pass day with stops and pacing. Free has limits, and Plus is unlimited.
- Passport stampsGet a stamp for every town you ride through, from Ouray to Leadville, and badges for places you've been. Both pay points.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best month to ride a motorcycle in Colorado?
September. The passes are still open, summer storms ease, crowds thin after Labor Day and the aspens turn gold. July and August are great too if you ride the passes in the morning.
When do Colorado's mountain passes open?
Seasonal passes like Trail Ridge Road and Independence Pass usually open in late May, depending on snow. Highway passes like Monarch, Wolf Creek and Loveland are maintained year-round. Check COtrip.
Can you ride a motorcycle in Denver in winter?
On dry days, yes. Storms usually melt off within days. Watch for sand and de-icer residue on the roads, and stay off the high passes.
When is the best time to see aspens on a motorcycle in Colorado?
Usually mid to late September in the northern and central mountains, a little later in the south. Ride midweek to avoid the heaviest traffic.
Why do Colorado riders start so early in summer?
Afternoon thunderstorms build over the mountains most summer days, with lightning, hail and cold rain. Being over the highest passes by lunch is the standard plan.
Can it snow on Colorado passes in summer?
Yes. Above about 11,000 feet, snow can fall in any month, though it usually melts quickly in summer. Pack a warm layer for every pass day.
Make the short season count.
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