Best Gravel Routes in Colorado: From Steamboat to Moab

Colorado is one of the great gravel riding destinations in the world. The combination of high-altitude forest roads, dramatic mountain terrain, and a dry riding season that stretches from June through October makes it a bucket-list destination for serious gravel cyclists everywhere. These are the best gravel routes in Colorado — from the accessible to the genuinely remote.

What Makes Colorado Gravel Unique

The defining characteristic of Colorado gravel is altitude. Most of the best routes in the state spend time above 9,000 feet, and many cross passes above 11,000 feet. The physiological impact is real — expect to be slower, breathe harder, and fatigue faster than you would at sea level. If you’re traveling from lower elevation, plan at least 2–3 days of acclimatization before attempting your hardest rides. The payoff is riding through landscapes that most cyclists only see in race footage.

1. Steamboat Gravel (SBT GRVL Course Roads) — Steamboat Springs

The roads around Steamboat Springs that host SBT GRVL are rideable year-round (weather permitting) and give you the experience of racing a professional gravel event without the entry fee. The Buff Pass climb is the marquee feature — 18 miles of sustained climbing to over 10,000 feet with sweeping views in every direction. A full loop using SBT course roads runs 80–120 miles depending on route selection. The roads are well-graded and fast on the descent. Use this route as a preview before entering the race or as a standalone bucket-list ride.

2. Kebler Pass — Crested Butte Area

Kebler Pass is one of Colorado’s most famous autumn rides — the road climbs through the largest aspen grove in North America, and in September/October the golden color is extraordinary. The pass tops out at 10,007 feet on a well-maintained dirt road. The classic loop runs from Crested Butte west over Kebler and back via Ohio Pass for 55–70 miles with 6,000+ feet of climbing. Best July through early October; the road is typically closed November through May.

3. Waunita Hot Springs Road — Gunnison Area

The Gunnison area has some of the most rideable gravel in the state, and the Waunita Hot Springs Road is the crown jewel. The route climbs from Parlin through open high-desert terrain before entering the San Isabel National Forest. The full out-and-back from Gunnison covers 70–80 miles. The road quality is generally excellent, the traffic is nearly nonexistent, and the reward at the top is a working hot springs complex where you can soak tired legs before the ride back.

4. Independence Pass Road — Aspen Area

Independence Pass is paved at the top but the approach roads on both sides have substantial gravel sections, and the experience of climbing a 12,095-foot pass on a gravel bike is unique in North American cycling. The loop from Twin Lakes over Independence Pass and back through the Roaring Fork Valley covers 70–90 miles depending on your route. The east side climb from Twin Lakes is particularly scenic. Open late May through early November.

5. The Crusher in the Tushar Course Roads — Beaver Area

The Crusher in the Tushar is technically in Utah, but the roads it uses extend into southwestern Colorado and are worth including here. The climb to the ridgeline above Beaver, Utah uses Forest Service roads that reach above 11,000 feet with views of the Tushar Mountains. Rideable from Beaver or from the Highway 89 corridor. The roads are rougher than Steamboat or Crested Butte — expect loose rock and some hike-a-bike potential — but the views are exceptional. This route rewards riders with mountain bike handling experience.

6. Poncha Pass and Marshall Pass — Salida Area

Salida has emerged as one of the top gravel riding towns in Colorado, and the combination of Poncha Pass and Marshall Pass gives you two back-to-back high passes on dirt. Marshall Pass crests at 10,846 feet on an old railroad grade that makes for a consistent, sustained climb without punishing grades. A loop from Salida over both passes runs 80–100 miles with 8,000+ feet of climbing. The Salida area also has excellent food and lodging for multi-day gravel trips.

Planning Your Colorado Gravel Trip

The Colorado gravel season peaks between July and September. Afternoon thunderstorms are a daily occurrence in the mountains during summer — plan your rides to be off exposed ridgelines by 1–2pm. Carry rain gear regardless of the morning forecast. Cell service is limited or nonexistent on most routes; download offline maps and tell someone your planned route before heading out.

For Colorado’s major gravel race events, including SBT GRVL and the Crusher in the Tushar, check our full race calendar. And if you’re building toward your first big mountain event, start with our guide at thegravelriders.com/start-here/.