A collection of welcoming accommodations
Seeking to provide our readers with a pleasurable and unique riding experience, Thunder Press has assembled several biker-friendly places of lodging. And while often “biker friendly” actually translates into “motorcycle tolerant,” we believe these establishments have proven themselves to be businesses where you can truly enjoy the chance to plant both your kickstand and your body. Often owned and operated by riders, these lodgings were selected either through personal experience of the Thunder Press staff or the recommendations of other riders.
We have divided the U.S. into four sections that roughly correspond to North America’s time zones. First up was the Eastern Zone followed by the Central. This time we cover the Mountain Zone from Canada to the southern border.
Enjoy your stay!
Beartooth Hideaway Inn & Cabins, Red Lodge, Montana
Noted as some of most iconic motorcycle passages in America are Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass. Fifteen minutes south of Red Lodge you hit the pass at 11,000 feet. Two hours later you can head into Yellowstone or ride the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. The Beartooth Hideaway Inn is ideal area lodging for several reasons with pricing ranking it high on the biker list. And while the rooms may be a bit dated, it also has an indoor pool and several hot tubs that help in easing those muscles after a long day in the saddle. Free WiFi and breakfast are included. One of the best bargains for accommodations in Red Lodge. www.beartoothhideaway.com
Lava Mountain Lodge, Dubois, Wyoming
Lava Mountain makes for an excellent base of operations when exploring nearby Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons, Cody and Jackson Hole. Located on the picturesque Togwotee Pass in the Shoshone National Forest, Lava Mountain Lodge offers rooms in the lodge as well as RV and tent camping. As an economical alternative to soft-sided tent camping, they also have their four-season Grizzly Camping Cabins that sleep up tofour people and feature two twin bunks with mattress pads, a dining nook table, heat and electricity. (You will need to provide your own sleeping bags, pillows and towels.) Also on site are the Wilderness Boundary Restaurant, the Between The Peaks liquor store, and a convenience store with gasoline and diesel. Dang, why ever leave? https://lavamountainlodge.com
Galaxy of Hatch Diner & Motel, Hatch, Utah
There is biker friendly and then there is biker crazy-friendly. Galaxy of Hatch is owned and operated by a biker with amenities that include motorcycle themed rooms, reasonably priced grub in the Galaxy Diner (including hand-dipped ice cream) and even a selection of riding gear (jackets, gloves, T-shirts) and motorcycle accessories (chain lube, motor oil, etc.) in the Galaxy Cycle Shop. And they are conveniently located near some of the most prime riding real estate in Utah: Bryce Canyon, the Grand Staircase Escalante, Zion and Canyonlands National Parks, and Lake Powell. Galaxy of Hatch even offers seasonal motorcycle rentals. www.galaxyofhatch.com
Black Canyon Motel, Montrose, Colorado
Montrose is in the heart of the Grand Valley of Colorado, surrounded by high passes and great motorcycle roads. Riding south you can take Lizard Head Pass to Telluride or the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton. The Black Canyon Motel offers 49 rooms, which includes suites and Jacuzzi suites. A complimentary breakfast is part of the package as are the motel-supplied towels for cleaning your bike. Rooms are very reasonably broke-biker priced. www.blackcanyonmotel.com
Golden Eagle Lodge, Red River, New Mexico
Cradled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (the southernmost sub-range of the Rockies), Red River provides an excellent home base for exploring the famed Enchanted Circle. And the motorcycle-friendly Golden Eagle provides excellent lodging at the end of a day’s ride. The owners are “people” persons and will gladly work with you to accommodate reunions and group gatherings. The location is ideal for rides to Taos, the Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge, Santa Fe, and the Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Monument. Even though you are in town, the views from Golden Eagle Lodge are some of the best in the state. http://goldeneaglelodgeredriver.com
While this is in no way a comprehensive listing, it does represent some of the best biker-friendly lodging currently available. As is standard with any travel, always check in advance for availability and rates. If you have suggestions or comments about these or other places of lodging you’d recommend, don’t be shy!
The Galaxy of Hatch Diner & Motel, Hatch, Utah is one of our favorite place to stay. We were so impressed with Diner and Hotel. The Diner is decorated from the 50’s & 60’s and the food was very good. There is 7 or 8 rooms and every one is decorated with Harley Davidson themes. We have been there twice and will be back !!! Another place we were impressed with is the Alpine Inn in Red Lodge, Montana. They were very biker friendly and they cook all meals right there so that you don’t have to go elsewhere to eat. They even have a spot to wash your motorcycle. !!!