The Rocky Mountains are a spectacular sight that everyone should see at least once. As Columbia and James Island motorcycle accident attorneys, we love to ride in this area, and one of its most breathtaking motorcycle routes is the 80-mile Colorado River Headwaters Byway. You’ll pass through the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests, lush mountain valleys, sparkling lakes, and awe-inspiring canyons with opportunities to fish, hike, raft the Colorado, and view the abundant wildlife that roam the area. You can also choose to simply sit along the banks of the Colorado, or on a boulder off the beaten path, and listen to the sounds of nature.

The Colorado River provides water for the southwestern states and is the river that created the Grand Canyon. This motorcycle route runs from the resort town of Grand Lake, CO and passes through the charming towns of Granby and Kremmling, ending at State Bridge. (Note: the road between Kremmling and State Bridge is gravel, so should not be traveled after rain or snow.)

Designated a National Scenic Byway in 2005, the Colorado River Headwaters Byway begins on Highway 34 in Grand Lake and travels southwest to Granby, and then Highway 40 takes you through Hot Sulphur Springs on your way to Kremmling. Be sure to spend a little time in each town experiencing its unique character and friendly people. For the final leg of the Byway, you’ll turn on County Road 1 in Kremmling and travel to State Bridge, passing by an historic wagon trail and watchable wildlife route.

If you enjoy fishing, you’ll love Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Lake, and Lake Granby. You’ll also enjoy Williams Fork Reservoir, off Highway 40 near the little town of Parshall, where a wide variety of fish, including Northern pike and brown trout, are waiting for you. If you choose to spend the night, try the Historic State Bridge Lodge or Grand Lake Lodge, which is nestled in a grove of tall trees.

If you enjoy history and museums, the Pioneer Village Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs is housed in the original Hot Sulphur Springs School. It holds a skiing history display, 8,500-year-old Windy Gap artifacts, and a Pioneer Women exhibit. Kremmling’s Heritage Park Museum highlights the history of ranching. It holds the old Kremmling jail, the 1906 DNW&P Train Depot, the McElroy Livery and Barn, and the Horseshoe Ranger Station.

If you go to Colorado from a low elevation, take note that this byway ranges from 6,500–9.000 feet in elevation. You may feel a bit lightheaded or have difficulty breathing for the first day or so. Be sure to stay hydrated as you visit the Rockies, so you can fully enjoy the spectacular mountains, lakes, and canyons.

What’s your favorite motorcycle route in the U.S.?