Top 5 BMW Motorcycle Trips Near Denver, Colorado

Jan 7, 2022

Welcome to Denver, Colorado, a city that takes your breath away, and not just because of the altitude (kidding). This mile-high city features jaw-dropping mountain backdrops and some of the highest peaks in North America. The Rocky Mountains offer no shortage of great hiking options, many of which are within a few hours' ride from the city. With endless sunshine—an average of 300 days a year— and crisp, mountain air, Denver is the place to explore on a BMW street bike. We’ve curated the top five nature escapes for your next Denver riding adventure. All you have to do is select your favorite bike on Riders Share and hit the road for a rocky-mountain adventure!

1. Red Rocks

Travel 16 miles across U.S. Route 6 West, and you'll be in the giant sandstone outcroppings that form the walls of the Red Rocks Amphitheater. With walls higher than the Niagara Falls, this geological formation is a must-see. Two hiking trails showcase the best natural landscape and panoramic views from Denver and beyond. Check out the Trading Post Trail, a 1.4 mile-long loop. Then explore Red Rocks Trail, which connects with Matthew Winter Park for a dramatic six-mile hike. Keep your eyes posted for foxes, mule deer, prairie dogs, and other animals. 

For a BMW rental in Denver, we recommend the BMW R Ninet Scrambler. Get the chance to break away from confining urban roads and ride towards freedom. Feel the rush of the wind as you accelerate this powerful, rugged scrambler between the scenic roads around Denver. This motorcycle’s style and technology make it our choice for a trip to Red Rocks.

2. Garden of the Gods

Take I-25 South for 70 miles, and visit the Garden of the Gods. The route begins at Sedalia, which is about 20 minutes south of Denver and flows right into Pike National Forest. The BMW G 310 R is a light, single-cylinder motorcycle that is well suited to this type of trip. It offers a low seat height and easy handling, however it is a tad underpowered for high-speed riding, but for casual highway cruising, it gets the job done. 

This forest is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Along the roads, you’ll find visitors engaged in all sorts of outdoor activities—fishing, camping, and hunting among them. Grab your camera and check out Perkins Central Garden Trail, an easy 1.5 mile path in the heart of the park, to get views of the highest rock formations in the area. 

3. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Get ready for an all-day ride down to Great Sand Dunes National Park. This nearly four hour cruise travels 236 miles across I-25 South. Due to its distance, you’ll want a heavyweight sport-touring bike like the BMW K 1200 RS. Make sure you bring a sleeping bag, because this ride is best experienced as an overnight trip. Luckily, this touring bike has space for your stuff.

This is the only place in the country where you’ll see 750-foot-tall sand dunes rise out of the base of the Rocky Mountains. Try sandboarding down the hills (similar to snowboarding, but on sand). Camp out under the inky-black night skies and stargaze to your heart’s content. Who knows, you might even see a shooting star.

4. Colorado Hot Springs

Ride through the Rocky Mountains as you head over I-70 West for nearly three hours. This 157-mile trip takes you through the twists and turns of classic Colorado mountain roads. Glenwood Hot Springs is the world's largest mineral hot springs pool, but you’ll also want to head to Iron Mountain Springs for easy access to the spring. Bring a swimsuit and get ready to warm up and relax as you take in the picturesque scenery of the Colorado River.

Improve your mountain riding experience with the BMW R 1250 RT sport-touring bike. This motorcycle is built for traveling long miles and features a Twin-cylinder Boxer engine. Ride along any road with complete precision thanks to this bike’s “ShiftCam,” a feature uniquely-positioned for greater torque across the entire powerband.

5. Castlewood Canyon

Head south via I-25 South and CO-83 South/North State Highway 83 toward Castlewood Canyon State Park. Ride across straight roads and past rolling grasslands. Check out the Castlewood Canyon Falls Trail for a 1.1-mile loop that will lead you to a waterfall. Nine additional trails are in the area and each is less than a three mile hike.

For a lightweight ride with high performance, look no further than the mighty BMW S 1000 RR. The S 1000 RR is one of the fastest, most high-performance road bikes. With over 200 horsepower beneath you, you better hang on tight.