Ouray ColoradoOuray Colorado

A T V

The San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado have some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Miners and prospectors built hundreds of miles of wagon roads into and over these mountains in the late 1800's and early 1900's. These old roads give access to this awesome scenery as well as ghost towns and mines that have a lot of history. Jeeping and ATV's are the best ways to view this magnificent mountain range.

For the ATV enthusiast: The Alpine Loop Back Country Byway system is sixty five miles of road carved through the breathtaking San Juan Mountains connecting the towns of Lake City, Ouray and Silverton. The area is dotted with the remains of ghost towns, mines, mills, aerial trams, and railroads as prominent reminders of the region's extensive mining history

Five ATV staging areas are provided for your convenience, one each at Eureka, Hensen Creek near Lake City, Canyon Creek, .5 miles southwest of Lake San Cristobal, and on Hwy 550 south of Ouray at Engineer Pass turnoff.

Although vehicles must stay on established roads for camping, picnicking and driving, you may park immediately adjacent to a road where such use will not damage the environment. Signs are posted where parking is not permitted.

Regulations:

  • Colorado Law requires unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs to display an annual OHV permit. For out-of-state visitors, this permit may be purchased at Ridgway State Park, located about 20 minutes north of Ouray on Hwy 550.
  • All unlicensed motorcycle and ATV operators must possess a valid drivers license or vehicle operators license.
  • Licensed Vehicles can travel on all roads that are legally established routes.
  • Unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs are required to stay on roads identified on the Alpine Loop Map.
  • All vehicle operators must observe authorized barriers, closed signs, and other obstacles meant to restrict vehicle travel or access.
  • Liability insurance is required for all unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs in San Juan and Ouray Counties.

This information was taken from the brochure ALPINE LOOP: ATV's and Unlicensed Motorcycles Summer Travel Routes. For the complete brochure please visit the Ouray Chamber at the Ouray Visitors Center.

ATV Rentals

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Sample Product ATV Rentals-Ride-N • 920 Main St, Ouray • (435) 310-0300
New Polaris ATV rentals. A NEW business to Ouray, which many are claiming this to be the "Highlight of their vacation!" Guide Service Available. We Drive, You Ride!

Out of town

Silverton Molas Pass Snowmobile Tours & Guide sevi • 694 Green Street, Silverton • (970) 387-5512
Come and explore the mines and ghost towns and the breathtaking views of the San Juans. Atv in the summer and snowmobile in the winter! We can take you there!

Additional regulations are as follows:
An ATV can not be driven on the State Highway (550). Main St in Ouray is also known as Highway 550, so riding on Main St is prohibited. It can be driven on side streets if they are licensed as described below, by the person who made the inquiry. They have to follow the same rules as cars including speed limits. An ATV can not be driven on Hwy. 550 to County Rd. 361 to go up into the high country because it would have to be driven on the highway. If a person from Colorado wanted to drive a ATV in town it would be illegal because Colorado does not license ATV’s and we have an ordinance #14-9 that prohibits use on City Streets.

14-9 Off-Highway-Vehicle Operation Prohibited:

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an off-highway vehicle on any City street, alley or other city-owned property except in the following cases:

1. When crossing streets or when crossing roads, highways or railroad tracks in the manner provided in C.R.S. 33-14-112;

2. When crossing a bridge or culvert;

3. During special off-highway vehicle events lawfully conducted pursuant to authority granted by the City Council;

4. During emergency conditions declared by the City;

5. Upon off-highway vehicle routes designated by City Council resolution or ordinance;

6. When using an off-highway vehicle for agricultural purposes.

B. For the purposes of this Section, off-highway vehicles shall be defined in C.R.S. 33-14-14.5-101(3)

(Source: Ordinance No. 7, 1993)

Additionally, you have to be motorcycle endorsed on their driver’s license from their home state.