Million Dollar Highway 6-Day Loop

A six-day motorcycle loop from Gillette through Ten Sleep Canyon, Wind River Canyon, Flaming Gorge, CO‑141, Mesa Verde, the Million Dollar Highway, Monarch Pass, Granby, North Park, Saratoga, and home.

6 Days

~2,000 Miles

Type: Multi-Day

Area: WY / UT / CO

Main Event: US‑550

Static Overview Map

Color-coded daily route overview. Towns are placed roughly where they belong geographically. Use the Google Maps buttons for actual navigation.

Scenic Highways Used

Road	Scenic Section
US‑16 / WY‑16	Ten Sleep Canyon
WY‑789 + US‑20/26	Wind River Canyon
UT‑44	Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway
CO‑141	Unaweep / Tabeguache Scenic Byway
US‑550	Million Dollar Highway
US‑50	Monarch Pass
CO‑125	Willow Creek Pass / North Park

Day 1 — Gillette to Lander

~330–360 mi

Overnight: Lander, WY

Route: Gillette → Buffalo → Ten Sleep → Worland → Thermopolis → Wind River Canyon → Riverton → Lander

Open Day 1 in Google Maps

Highlights

Ten Sleep Canyon
Hot Springs State Park
Wind River Canyon
Optional Sinks Canyon if you still have energy

Fuel / Reset
Buffalo, Worland, Thermopolis, Riverton/Lander

Ride note
This is the Wyoming canyon warm-up day. It gives you Ten Sleep Canyon and Wind River Canyon before stopping in Lander.

Day 2 — Lander to Meeker via Flaming Gorge

~360–400 mi

Overnight: Meeker, CO

Route: Lander → Farson → Manila → Red Canyon Overlook → Flaming Gorge Dam → Vernal → Meeker

Open Day 2 in Google Maps

Highlights

Farson Mercantile
Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway
Red Canyon Overlook
Flaming Gorge Dam

Fuel / Reset
Lander, Farson, Manila/Dutch John area, Vernal, Meeker

Ride note
Big open Wyoming into Utah canyon country. Red Canyon Overlook is the photo stop.

Day 3 — Meeker to Cortez via CO‑141

~330–380 mi

Overnight: Cortez, CO

Route: Meeker → Rifle → Grand Junction → Gateway → Naturita → Dolores → Cortez

Open Day 3 in Google Maps

Highlights

CO‑141 Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic Byway
Gateway canyon riding
Red rock walls and sweepers

Fuel / Reset
Meeker, Rifle/Grand Junction, Gateway/Naturita, Cortez

Ride note
This is the red-rock canyon day. Watch for sand or gravel in corners, especially after weather.

Day 4 — Mesa Verde + Million Dollar Highway

~180–240 mi

Overnight: Ouray, CO

Route: Cortez → Mesa Verde → Durango → Silverton → Red Mountain Pass → Ouray

Open Day 4 in Google Maps

Highlights

Mesa Verde
Durango lunch
Silverton
Million Dollar Highway
Red Mountain Pass
Ouray

Fuel / Reset
Cortez, Durango, Silverton/Ouray

Ride note
Shorter mileage on purpose. This is the main event day. Take your time on US‑550.

Day 5 — Ouray to Granby via Monarch Pass

~330–370 mi

Overnight: Granby, CO

Route: Ouray → Montrose → Gunnison → Monarch Pass → Fairplay → Granby

Open Day 5 in Google Maps

Highlights

Black Canyon area optional
Gunnison
Monarch Pass
South Park / Fairplay
Granby

Fuel / Reset
Ouray/Montrose, Gunnison, Salida area, Fairplay, Granby

Ride note
High country crossing day. Monarch Pass is the forced scenic waypoint.

Day 6 — Granby to Gillette via North Park / Saratoga

~430–470 mi

Overnight: Home

Route: Granby → Willow Creek Pass → Walden → Saratoga → Casper → Gillette

Open Day 6 in Google Maps

Highlights

Willow Creek Pass
North Park valley
Saratoga hot springs option
Wyoming push home

Fuel / Reset
Granby, Walden, Saratoga/Rawlins area, Casper, Gillette

Ride note
Longest return day. Start early and keep the Saratoga soak optional depending on weather and energy.

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