Thunder Valley Motocross Park
Thunder Valley Motocross Park at a glance
- Location
- Lakewood, Colorado
- Type
- motocross
- Surface
- natural terrain
- Opened
- 1999
- Owner
- David Clabaugh
- Address
- 701 S Rooney Rd
- Phone
- +1 303-988-3889
- Website
- tvmx.net
Track map and layout
Thunder Valley sits in a bowl of foothills between Denver and the Rocky Mountains, and its defining characteristic isn't a single jump or corner but the elevation itself: at roughly 6,128 feet above sea level, it is widely cited as the highest-elevation track on the Pro Motocross calendar. The thin mountain air robs horsepower from every bike on the gate and leaves riders and mechanics adjusting jetting and suspension setups specifically for altitude, a variable most other national tracks don't have to account for. The layout itself uses the natural terrain of the valley, with rolling elevation changes across the property that add to the physical demands of racing at altitude. Because Thunder Valley typically runs early in the Pro Motocross season, June conditions in Colorado can also swing between hot, dry days and sudden mountain weather, adding another layer of unpredictability.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| National track | — | Used for the Thunder Valley National |
Events and race weekends
Thunder Valley's marquee event is the Thunder Valley National, a round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship held every June and typically one of the season's earliest rounds, drawing crowds of nearly 30,000 fans. The track also made history in 2010 when it hosted the 64th running of the Motocross of Nations, the first time the event had been held in Colorado, and it remains a regular stop for the WMX women's motocross series alongside the Pro Motocross National.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Valley National | Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship | June | One of the earliest rounds of the Pro Motocross season |
Getting there and parking
Thunder Valley is in Lakewood, on Denver's western edge close to the foothills, making Denver International Airport the natural fly-in gateway despite being a longer drive across the metro area than a more central venue.
- Denver International Airport (DEN) · about 50 min drive
Visitors flying in and unaccustomed to Colorado's altitude should plan for the thin air affecting both bike performance and personal exertion, not just for race weekend but for any time spent walking the hillside viewing areas.
Hotels and camping near Thunder Valley Motocross Park
Given its location on the edge of the Denver metro area, most out-of-town fans stay in hotels in Lakewood, Golden, or greater Denver rather than camping, though on-site camping is also offered for National weekend.
Where to look
Lakewood and Golden, Colorado, are closest to the track, with the wider Denver metro area offering extensive additional hotel options within roughly 30-45 minutes.
Camping
On-site camping is available during National weekend for those who prefer to stay at the track.
RV
RV camping is offered on-site; visitors planning an RV trip are advised to account for Colorado's altitude and mountain-adjacent terrain when routing their travel.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Thunder Valley operates as a working race facility built primarily around club racing and the Pro Motocross National rather than as a daily public pay-to-ride park; riding access outside race events is arranged through the track's own schedule rather than a standing public track-day program.
Spectator guide
Thunder Valley's valley-bowl setting gives spectators natural hillside sightlines across much of the circuit, and the high altitude that challenges riders also means intense Colorado sun with limited shade, so sun protection matters even on a mild-temperature day. June race weekend can also bring sudden Front Range weather swings, from hot and dry to fast-moving afternoon storms.
Seating
General-admission hillside viewing predominates around the natural terrain bowl.
Weather
- Jun: generally warm and dry at altitude, but afternoon thunderstorms are common along Colorado's Front Range; highs typically in the low-to-mid 80s°F
History of Thunder Valley Motocross Park
A high-altitude proving ground
Thunder Valley Motocross Park was developed in the Denver foothills by promoter David Clabaugh, with the track's origins dating to the late 1990s before it grew into a regular stop on the national motocross calendar. What set the facility apart from the start was its elevation: sitting at roughly 6,128 feet above sea level, Thunder Valley is widely regarded as the highest-elevation track used for professional motocross anywhere in the world, a defining trait that shapes everything from bike setup to rider conditioning.
Joining the Pro Motocross calendar
Under Clabaugh's ownership, Thunder Valley's Pro Motocross round has run uninterrupted since 2005, quickly becoming known among riders and teams for the unique demands of racing in thin mountain air, where every bike loses power relative to sea-level tracks and riders fatigue faster during long motos. The track's reputation for a fair but physically punishing test of both machine and rider grew steadily through the following years.
Motocross of Nations and present day
Thunder Valley's standing in the sport was cemented in 2010, when it hosted the 64th running of the FIM Motocross of Nations, bringing international teams and a global spotlight to Colorado for the first time in the event's history. Today Thunder Valley continues to host an early-season round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship every June, typically drawing crowds approaching 30,000, along with rounds of the WMX women's motocross series, maintaining its identity as the circuit's singular high-altitude test.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Thunder Valley Motocross Park located?+
At 701 S Rooney Rd in Lakewood, Colorado, on the western edge of the Denver metro area near the foothills.
Why is Thunder Valley's altitude significant?+
The track sits at roughly 6,128 feet above sea level, making it widely regarded as the highest-elevation venue on the Pro Motocross calendar; the thin air reduces engine power and increases physical demands on riders.
Has Thunder Valley hosted the Motocross of Nations?+
Yes, Thunder Valley hosted the 64th Motocross of Nations in 2010, the event's first appearance in Colorado.
When is the Thunder Valley National held?+
The Thunder Valley National, a round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, is held every June and is typically one of the season's earlier rounds.
How many fans attend the Thunder Valley National?+
The event draws crowds of nearly 30,000 fans on race day.
Can you camp at Thunder Valley during National weekend?+
Yes, on-site camping is available during National weekend, though many out-of-town visitors also stay in nearby Lakewood, Golden, or greater Denver hotels.
Other tracks nearby
- High Plains Raceway · 69 mi · road course
- La Junta Raceway · 148 mi · road course
- Utah Motorsports Campus · 384 mi · road course
- Heartland Motorsports Park · 511 mi · road course & oval
- Hallett Motor Racing Circuit · 526 mi · road course
- Arroyo Seco Raceway · 530 mi · road course
Facts checked against 5 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-09.