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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.?
The United States is one of the most gorgeous countries to explore on a motorcycle.
Here are a few of our favorite motorcycle getaways in the U.S.:
CALIFORNIA: Mendocino Coast
Just four miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, Highway 1 escapes the diligence of U.S. 101 and snakes its way toward the white sands of Stinson Beach. The ride will take you inland over rolling, grassy hills and into vast forests of Bishop pine, then back over to the coast to vertigo-inducing views of the steep, craggy shoreline.
Connecting the vast portions of untamed back country are tiny towns and villages. Almost all offer fuel, food, and lodging. Each establishment–from bed and breakfast to beach bungalow–is personalized by private ownership. There are many overnight facilities scattered along the coastline. You can stay as a guest in a farmhouse or be a recluse in your own remote, solar-powered cabin. The choices are extensive, but in the peak summer months the place is booked up.
COLORADO: San Juan Skyway
The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile ride that may well be the most scenic loop in America. You’ll find it 90 miles from Grand Junction or 250 miles from Pueblo. The route incorporates five passes, countless ghost towns and a smattering of some of the finest former mining towns in the West, as well as the historic Million Dollar Highway–-the miraculous road, which crosses Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet.
There is no doubt the Million Dollar Highway is the jewel of the San Juan crown, so take your time. There are many, many pullouts that allow you to enjoy the breathtaking views and explore the old ghost towns and mining facilities. The route continues onto Telluride. The popular ski resort destination also showcases a well-preserved historic section that should not be missed.
TEXAS: Hill Country
While most people think the Lone Star State is an endless dry, flat, windy road, the Hill Country, with its tempting hills and canyons, is perfect for two-wheeled exploration. Follow Highway 83 up to a higher altitude where the temperature cools creating an ideal climate for lush pinon, juniper and oak trees. The roads of hill country are fantastic for all types of riding. Many are straight or sweeping and a few offer challenging corners. All are hugely scenic and deliver you to an assortment of wonderful villagelike towns and historic hamlets.
GEORGIA: North Georgia Mountains
In Northern Georgia, not two hours above bustling Atlanta, the land begins to gently tumble and swell. The legendary Blue Ridge Mountains begin here–part of the Appalachian Range that extends all the way to Maine. It seems to be a secret that the Georgian landscape includes such voluptuous assets, and as a result these mountains and the roads winding amongst them are usually quite empty.
This road offers some gentle sweeping corners, but most of it is challenging, with 25-mph S-curves and plenty of exciting elevation changes. The Parkway is a 24-mile run that ends at Wolf Pen Gap Road (state Route 180). Some say this is the most curvaceous road in Georgia.
The fact is, you can’t make a wrong turn when you’re riding in the Chattahoochee area. Road surfaces are generally excellent, though soft, sloping shoulders common to this region don’t allow much room for error. Along with the scars of the Civil War and the ghosts of the Cherokee Nation, this motorcycle playground will remain a refuge for years to come.
FLORIDA: Everglades to Key West
Most of this country’s universally favored motorcycle roads have corners, don’t they? Not so with the Keys–just 120 miles of 360-degree majesty so captivating you might fall off your bike trying to swivel your head in all directions. Expect low speed limits and nary a passing opportunity, too. It’s key to sink into the situation and not feel rushed.
The motorcycle ride takes you through the islands–Key Largo, Islamorada, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. By the time you reach Marathon and the famous Seven Mile Bridge–the longest segmented bridge in the world–you’re in the Middle Keys and starting to feel a real tropical vibe. This quieter section of the Keys, with its mom-and-pop restaurants, retro lodging and camping retreats, will suit some more than what’s to come in Key West.
There are plenty of places to eat and stay, but lodging can be pretty pricey all year, and reservations are recommended. There is no real “season,” though I’d recommend winter, when the rest of the world is wearing wool. For better or worse, the road is absolutely straight and flat (the highest elevation on the islands is a whopping 18 feet). Still, it’s the most unusual stretch of road you’ll find in America.
Want to find the best places in South Carolina to ride? Visit our blog post on Best South Carolina Motorcycle Routes.
