Dotsero → Estes Park
A Colorado Route with a Bit of Everything
If you’re looking for a ride that packs a full range of Colorado terrain, scenery, and elevation into a single day, the stretch from Dotsero to Estes Park delivers. Covering a mix of pavement, dirt, canyon riding, and high-alpine passes, this route highlights just how diverse Colorado’s landscapes can be—often in the span of only a few miles.
What to Expect Along the Way
1. Diverse Terrain
You’ll encounter asphalt, dirt, hard-packed clay, mountain climbs, and flowing switchbacks. It’s a balanced mix that keeps the ride engaging without being overly technical.
2. Big Views
The route features some of Colorado’s most iconic water and mountain scenery, including:
The Colorado River
Shadow Mountain Lake
Lake Granby
Grand Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park
3. Great Stops
Hot springs, solid camping options, and convenient fuel/food towns break up the ride and make it easy to tailor your pace.
4. Wilderness + Mountain Towns
You’ll move between remote stretches of backcountry and classic Colorado towns—each offering its own character, amenities, and views.
5. Dramatic Landscape Shifts
The region transitions from red desert clay and layered sedimentary rock—sandstone, siltstone, and gypsum—to rugged volcanic formations. Basalt flows, steep canyons, and even a crater-like structure add geological contrast before you climb into lush alpine forests and eventually rise above the tree line.
This is the kind of ride the BMW 650GS was made for.
Route Overview
The ride begins in Dotsero, about 100 miles west of Denver. From there, you follow the Colorado River toward Kremmling, with pavement giving way to hard-packed clay and gravel approximately 17 miles in. Rafters and kayakers are common along this stretch as you climb upriver.
After fueling up in Kremmling, Highway 40 carries you through wide, sweeping curves toward Granby and the chain of mountain lakes. The scenery expands as you approach the west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Inside RMNP, the real ascent begins. Trail Ridge Road climbs above 12,000 feet, offering sweeping alpine views and exposure above the tree line. Weather changes quickly here, so riders should be prepared for sudden temperature drops or storms.
The descent brings you into Estes Park, a gateway town known for the historic Stanley Hotel, plenty of restaurants, and easy access back to Denver—only about 90 minutes away.
