Motorcycle Rides in Grand Junction

Rent a Motorcycle From EagleRider and Enjoy Moab, Arches National Park, Dolores Triangle - UT Motorcycle Ride

Moab is a Mecca for motorcycle riders from around the world. Considered the capital of adventure and action sports, Moab, Utah, offers everything from kayaking and mountain biking tours to some of the most spectacular on and off-road motorcycle riding in the entire United States. Canyons, arches, red rock formations, and twisting roads with sweeping curves await you in the Moab vicinity, and if this sounds like the perfect destination to tour on two wheels, pick up a Harley-Davidson or a BMW at the Eagle Rider location in Grand Junction and go explore.

This 93-mile route is jam-packed with some of the most scenic locations and roads near Moab. It’s an ideal way to spend a day riding along the mighty Colorado River and admiring some of Moab’s superlative landscapes from the saddle of your motorcycle. Here in this part of Utah, the temperatures can be extreme, so expect the mercury to rise high in the summer months. Wear long sleeves, slather on the sunscreen and carry plenty of water.

Moab

Moab is a small yet vibrant town full of little motels, hotels and places to eat. Moab is an extremely friendly motorcycle destination, and you'll see lots of bikes wherever you go. You can spend an entire day here exploring the local scene, dining, and shopping, or enjoying one of the Colorado River tours. If you love riding off-road, the nearby Shaffer Trail and Potash Trail both offer some gnarly yet breathtaking dirt riding. Plus you can get close to the natural red rock arches such as the impressive Musselman Arch. Consider carrying a Spot Tracker or similar emergency beacon device if you’re riding Shaffer and Potash, as the area is extremely remote and it can get very hot during the day.

If you prefer to stick to pavement, here’s what’s not to miss around Moab.

Arches National Park

Located just five miles outside of Moab, Arches National Park is a must-see along the way. Arches contains the world’s largest concentration of more than two thousand natural red sandstone arches, as well as other spectacular geological formations such as fins, spires, pinnacles, and giant balanced rocks. This National Park is an astonishing place to experience. If you have the time, ride up to the Arches National Park Visitor Center just off Route 191 and take the short scenic drive to see nature’s handiwork up close and personal. There are hiking trails available if you want to explore the Park in greater depth on foot.

Dewey

From Arches National Park, take Route 128, which meanders along the Colorado River. Towering canyon walls line the road here, making this road's big, sweeping curves that much more compelling. Following the natural bends of the river, this road is truly one of the most scenic routes in the entire Moab vicinity.

After thirty or so miles, the road will end in Dewey, a ghost town that was originally built to provide a ferry crossing across Colorado River. The town was vacated once the bridge was built, but it is worth riding here to view the beautiful suspension bridge and to enjoy the fantastic scenery of red rock outcroppings and colorful canyon walls.

Dolores Triangle Safari Loop

In Dewey, turn around and head back on Route 128, then take the turn onto La Sal Loop Road heading south. This narrow two-lane road will take you deeper into the red rock and canyon country, eventually passing the Dolores Triangle Safari Loop. The Safari Loop is a 25-mile dirt trail we recommend riding only on an off-road capable motorcycle.

The La Sal Loop section is a very narrow road, potholed and patched up in places, so ease off the throttle and enjoy the desert scenery. Dozens of off-road trails crisscross the area, so watch out for ATVs and dirt bikes appearing unexpectedly. There are no services along this part of the road, so make sure you stock up on fuel, water, and snacks before heading to this section.

Eventually, La Sal will join Route 191 at Spanish Valley, taking you back to Moab.

3 Step Hideaway

Rent a Motorcycle From EagleRider and Enjoy San Juan Skyway and the Million Dollar Highway CO Motorcycle Ride

2060 East Main Street, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501

Containing some of Colorado’s most awe-inspiring scenery of the Rocky Mountains, abandoned ghost towns, and grin-inducing twists of the local roads, this is a compelling route for all types of motorcycle riders.

Over 240 miles of sweeping curves and jaw-dropping mountain passes await on the Million Dollar Highway and the San Juan Skyway, and in between, there is no shortage of charming mountain towns to visit, Western-style saloons to dine in, and deep local history to explore.

Although this route can be ridden in a single day, consider breaking it up into two parts and staying the night in one of the charming western-flavored towns along the way. This corner of Colorado was a booming gold and silver mining region in the nineteenth century, and towns like Telluride, and especially Silverton, still retain that unique recollection of the Old West.

If you have rented a dual-sport motorcycle, you'll have the right bike to explore some of the dirt trails leading to the ruins of abandoned gold towns such as Animas Forks as well as the notorious Engineer Pass.

The best time to ride the Million Dollar Highway and the San Juan Skyway is May through to September. Thanks to the high elevation this area gets a lot of snow, and while the riding can be great on the shoulder seasons, the snowfall is unpredictable from season to season.

If you plan to camp, be mindful of wildlife, especially black bears, and only camp in designated campsites. There will be plenty of gas stations, places to eat, and points of interest along the way.

Here’s a list of must-see spots on this route.

San Juan Skyway

Starting in Ridgway, Colorado, jump on Route 550 and head South. In ten miles, you will pass Ouray, a small mountain town sometimes called “The Switzerland of America”. Built in 1876, Ouray was once a flourishing gold and silver mining town. Ouray is now famous for its hot springs, mountain lodges, outdoor sports, and craft beer and spirits.

Several hotels offer their own private hot springs, and there is a public hot spring on the north end of town that's extremely popular among both travelers and locals. Ouray’s Outlaw Restaurant is the most popular place to eat among local motorcyclists, and if you stop to explore the town, be sure to buy some local organic coffee in one of the stores on Main Street.

Ouray marks the beginning of the San Juan Skyway, a 230-mile road connecting the town with Silverton, Durango, Cortez, and Telluride. The San Juan Skyway runs along the spine of the San Juan Mountains, offering countless switchbacks, climbs and descents, and jaw-dropping vistas from sheer cliffs. Get ready for some thrilling twists and hairpins along the way, and prepare to stop often to take photographs.

Just a little over 23 miles south of Ouray on the San Juan Skyway lies the town of Silverton, a true gem on the route. The entire town feels like it has been frozen in time as the old Western buildings still line the streets. Silverton retains its feel of a pioneer and gold prospecting town, rather than the modern tourist destination which it is. Stop at the Grand Imperial Hotel, an old saloon-style restaurant and guest house, for a hearty meal.

For the next fifty miles on the San Juan Skyway, enjoy the twisty two-lane road as it uncoils itself through the stunning San Juan mountains. Although the San Juan Skyway is a famous road and the area attracts hikers, campers, and off-road riders, the traffic on this road is usually mild, so you can really have fun carving those curves and taking in the scenery.

If you feel like breaking your Million Dollar drive into two days, Durango is a great city in which to stay the night. Durango is a "modern" western town with a wonderful downtown and plenty of things to do and see. The town’s famous Strater Hotel is the perfect place to stay, and there are plenty of dining options in town.

As you ride further along on the Skyway, it will double back across the San Juan range and continue to surprise you with more twists and turns plus scenic mountain vistas all the way to Telluride. Much like Ouray and Silverton, in late nineteenth-century Telluride was a mining camp built in a canyon near the San Miguel River. Now it mainly caters to skiing and snowboarding aficionados in winter and welcomes visitors to enjoy hiking, cycling, river sports, and rock climbing in the summer. As with a lot of Colorado mountain towns, Telluride also hosts several summer music concerts so expect a lot of traffic on those weekends.

Million Dollar Highway

The Million Dollar Highway is the 23-mile section of the San Juan Skyway between Ouray and Silverton. This is the most scenic part of the entire route, and there are several stories of how the road got its name. According to one local tale, it’s because it cost a million dollars per mile to build the road because it has been hewn through sheer rock.

Since the road receives heavy snowfall and becomes dangerous in winter, some locals say “you’ll have to pay me a million dollars to drive there in the snow”.  It could also be named for the millions of dollars of gold and silver mined in the area. Whichever version is true, we do not know, but the views along this section a certainly worth a million dollars.

Ease off the throttle on this stretch of the highway, as there will be some hairpin turns with sheer drops -- and no guardrails. Plus you will likely want to stop every few miles to admire the views and take photos. The Million Dollar Highway crosses three mountain passes, and you will be able to see the peak of Engineer Mountain standing stoically in the distance. Be especially careful if it has rained recently, as rains sometimes cause landslides on the road.

Mount Evans Loop

A perfect day’s ride, the Mount Evans Loop offers some of the best riding in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains combined with great motorcycle places and interesting waypoints to explore along the way. Offering countless dizzying hairpin turns, switchbacks, and high-speed sweepers, as well as some of the most scenic of the Rocky Mountain views, the Mount Evans Loop is a bucket list route for most motorcycle riders.

Here’s what to expect along the way:

Evergreen

Leaving Denver, head to Morrison, where the downtown area is usually buzzing with motorcycle riders gearing up for the Mount Evans ride. From there, jump on Route 74 and enjoy the exciting switchbacks and generous curves all the way to Evergreen, a small mountain town famous for the Little Bear Saloon. As authentic as it gets, the Little Bear is a true Rocky Mountain saloon complete with swinging doors and brass registers. The Little Bear Saloon building has had many incarnations, serving as a dance hall, a church, and a drug store over the years. Luckily for us, the Little Bear Saloon in modern times is a popular place among motorcyclists, and it hosts live music events every weekend.

Past Evergreen, stay on Route 74, and then take Route 203 heading west. The road here continues to zig and zag cutting across awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain country offering incredible views and yet more twists and turns. A narrow two-lane road, this route feels like it has been built exclusively for motorcycle riders.

Mount Evans Road

When you reach Echo Lake, take Route 5 (also known as the Mount Evans Road) and prepare yourself for some vertigo-inducing and precipitous views. Mount Evans Road is the highest paved road in all of North America, and it will take you to over 14,130 feet of elevation. This road is not for the faint of heart, as it remains very narrow and runs along the sheer drop edges with no guardrails in sight. But the incredible views that open up from the high vantage point here are more than worth it. At the end of the road, park your motorcycle in the large parking area and take the short hike down the trail to experience the Rocky Mountains in their full glory, as the overlook here offers a 360-degree view of the snow-capped peaks around you.

Idaho Springs

Doubling back on the Mount Evans Road, take the left fork of Route 103 and ride towards Idaho Springs. Here, the road will continue twisting and turning, offering yet more steep hairpins and undulating bends until it straightens a little just before Idaho Springs. Idaho Springs is an iconic Colorado mountain town with the historic Wild West vibe still alive and captivating visitors. There are plenty of places to dine or stay the night if you’ve had your fill of riding switchbacks for the day.

From Idaho Springs, you can either ride back to Denver or continue heading southwest to explore the Gunnison National Forest, the scenic San Juan Mountains, and the Million Dollar Highway.