Million Dollar Highway: Best Motorcycle Road & Destination in Colorado

If you happen to live in Colorado and love to ride motorcycles, we have a perfect road and destination for you. There is no doubt that the whole of the U.S. is a heaven for motorcycle riders. You will not only find the best infrastructure, but also a network of highways and roads. You will also find nature at its peak for you to explore. If you are a passionate biker, you must have heard about the Million Dollar Highway.

More than visiting scenic spots and destinations, motorcycle riders love to explore the best roads where they can ride all day long. As said, “Despite only aiming for reaching your destination, enjoying your journey is more important.”

The Million Dollar Highway is referred to as one of the best roads and destinations for motorcycle riders in Colorado. Continue to read this article to learn more about this scenic highway and why it is called the Million Dollar Highway.

The Million Dollar Highway, also known as U.S. Route 550, is the most iconic and scenic highway, located in Colorado, U.S. It is among the favorite riding stretches of bikers as it offers the most attractive spots along the way. As you ride through the San Juan Mountains, you get to witness the most adorable views and challenging roads for bikers.

This scenic highway in Southwestern Colorado offers a 25-mile stretch and connects two beautiful towns in Colorado, Silverton and Ouray.

Technically, the Million Dollar Highway is not the whole of the U.S. Route 550. The 50-mile stretch of the U.S. Route 550 that connects Durango and Silverton isn’t what riders call Million Dollar Highway. It is actually a part of the San Juan Skyway National Scenic Byway.

Though it is technically called the U.S. Route 550, it is renowned as the Million Dollar Highway.

• The main reason why it was named the Million Dollar Highway is because of the very high cost of its construction. As per an estimate, it almost took a million dollars to build this highway.

• Another theory suggests that the construction of this highway also included the use of gold and silver ores in its roadbed, which increased its value.

• However, the most popular belief behind its name is the value/worth of the scenic and breathtaking views along the way, which cost more than a million dollars.

The Million Dollar Highway may be only a 25-mile stretch of road in Colorado, US. Nonetheless, it is renowned for the hairpin turns, dramatic views, and sections with no guardrails. The ride to the Million Dollar Highway is fun, thrilling, adrenaline-jerking, and yet challenging at the same time. There are riders who will choose not to ride the Million Dollar Highway due to the extreme challenges, or maybe they are not trained enough.

However, if you have proper bike riding skills and you dare to take the risk, the ride to the Million Dollar Highway is totally rewarding. It is once in a lifetime to travel to this place. You will remember this trip always.

The Million Dollar Highway features the San Juan Mountains, mining towns, and narrow canyons along the way, which attracts bikers. To make the ride more thrilling, you will face many steep ascents and descents along the way.

There are many scenic spots, attractions, and towns that you should visit during your ride on Million Dollar Highway. You will get to pass the towns, such as Ouray, Silverton, and Durango, where you can have the best time of your life. However, you must plan a multi-day trip and plan your ride accordingly.

You can ride the Million Dollar Highway almost year-round whenever you feel you should. It is open for bikers for the whole year. However, try to avoid going for a long motorcycle ride to Million Dollar Highway in extreme winters, as it is likely to snow at certain points during the ride.

If you are a regular rider, you know it gets impossible to ride if it snows or there is snow accumulated on the roads. Riding in such weather conditions, especially at elevated altitudes, can be dangerous.

As a motorcycle rider, you must be used to checking the weather forecast and road conditions before you go for a ride. Get familiar with motorcycle riding apps that can assist you in planning your trip wisely.

The best time to ride the Million Dollar Highway and to visit scenic places in Colorado is during the summer season. However, as a general rule, you must always check the weather beforehand. The weather during the summer season is expected to be the most pleasant. You are expected to witness rainfall due to the Monsoon.

Another good time to visit and ride the Million Dollar Highway on your bike in the Fall season. The whole pace gets so vibrant and colorful during this time of the year. The destinations and popular sports in the region become more attractive. However, you must be prepared for the cold during the nighttime.

Also, while planning the trip, make sure to check for any festivals or special days that are celebrated in Colorado. For example, riding the Million Dollar Highway on the Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times to visit this place.

It can take you nearly 45 minutes to 1 hour to ride the 25-mile stretch of the Million Dollar Highway. However, it is an estimate for the motorcycle ride alone. You should spend around two to three hours on your motorbike ride if you really wish to enjoy the scenic views and spots along the way.

Just a plain motorcycle ride to the Million Dollar Highway isn’t worth it until you take stops, cherish the natural beauty, take pictures, and throw yourself a party along the way.

A two to three-hour trip is the minimum you can spend on the Million Dollar Highway. The place is worth spending the whole day if you love traveling on a motorbike. You can plan your ride from Ouray to Durango. 

The ride through the Red Mountain Pass is considered to be the real Million Dollar Highway. Most riders who have experienced riding on the Red Mountain Pass claim it to be one of the best motorcycle rides in Colorado.

The sharp turns and old mining towns along the way make the ride to Red Mountain Pass memorable. If you are riding an adventure bike and you know how to ride off-road, you can also plan to visit the Yankee Girl mining town in the region.

Watching the heightened peaks in the area while riding the Red Mountain Pass, it can remind you of the avalanches that have happened here. You can also witness the remains of Chattanooga, a town that was removed from the map in the 1890s due to extreme landslides.

As you continue to ride the Red Mountain Pass, the turns and passes get steeper and narrower. So, while enjoying the ride, make sure to watch out for any risks and ride carefully.

The Bear Creek Falls is a very scenic turnout as you leave Ouray behind. It soon appears after the many switchbacks as you pass the mountain. It is a great spot to take some rest, drink, eat, and take some pictures of the view.

You will also get to see the Uncompahgre Gorge as you cross the tunnel. From there, you can take a memorable picture of the Million Dollar Highway so you have something to show people that you went on a road trip to the Million Dollar Highway on a bike.

This is the same place where you can witness the Bear Creek Falls flowing down the Uncompahgre River.

If you are planning a motorcycle trip to Million Dollar Highways, don’t skip the Switzerland of America, Ouray. There have to be tons of scenic views and places, including mountains, valleys, falls, greenery, and hot springs in a region to be called the Switzerland of America. Though it is small, it remains crowded with tourists. The lodges and restaurants often remain crowded with tourists. So, if you plan to visit Ouray, make sure to do it on weekdays.

Other things you can enjoy at Ouray during your motorcycle trip to this place include hiking and getting yourself refreshed in hot springs.

The total population of Ouray is less than a thousand. You can predict such a low population in this town because it is situated at a height of 7,79s feet.

Sitting high atop at 10.910 feet, Molas Pass gives you a view of the San Juan Mountains and is considered one of the best scenic high-altitude passes in the state. During your journey here, you will admire impressive views, green fields, and the sparkling Molar Lake. The many twists and high elevations along the route as you travel through this pass make the ride very exciting. If you want to relax, stop at Molas Lake. If you want a bit more adventure, go for a quick hike in the peaceful wilderness.

After a tough day of riding the motorcycle, visiting Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway, Colorado, will help you relax. Thanks to the high lithium minerals, a peaceful dip in these springs can provide great relief for tired and sore muscles. There are both indoor and outdoor pools where riders can relax. Also, the temperature of each pool is different from the other, so visitors have different choices.

Silverton is a town in Colorado, sitting deep in the San Juan Mountains, that is full of rich history and fun for bikers. The town begins to appear as you travel along the Million Dollar Highway, showing you old Victorian architecture and an old western atmosphere. Many parts of the town remain, reminding us of its rich mining history, and there are many abandoned mining towns around, too. If you seek outdoor adventures, wish to explore historic places, and enjoy riding the narrow-gauge railroad, Silverton offers attractive activities to all. Watching the majestic peaks and lowlands from this town is a must-have experience for riders riding through this town.

The town of Durango is bustling with the blending of ancient, adventurous, and modern elements. Boutiques, restaurants, museums, and exciting nightlife can all be found in its historic downtown, so it’s a wonderful place to relax and take in the local culture.

The Durango & Silverton Railroad, based here, takes travelers through the mountains and allows them to view some of Colorado’s stunning countryside from an old-fashioned steam train. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can hike, bike, and raft in Durango near the mountains and the Animas River. Adding skiing and other snow sports to its list, Durango remains an adventure destination throughout the year.