Ouray ColoradoOuray Colorado

Surrounding Areas

Download a list of scenic drives that are a great way to extend your visit to Ouray.

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Silverton

(Hwy 550 south, 45-minute drive over the spectacular Million Dollar Highway)

Before starting out from Ouray, be sure you have plenty of film in your camera for this incredible 23-mile drive. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

The Million Dollar Highway was a toll-road built in the 1880's by Otto Mears. His toll-gate was located out beyond the Bear Creek Falls pull-out three miles south of Ouray.

Throughout this drive you will find the mountainsides packed with old mine buildings. Be sure to stop and explore the buildings and take photographs, but leave the sites as you found them for others to enjoy.

Silverton is the northern terminus of the . Take time to explore this historic mining town and enjoy a bite of lunch.

Telluride

(Hwy 550 north of Ouray to Ridgway, west on Hwy 62 and south on Hwy 145. One-way time to Telluride is 1 hour.)

Although Telluride's history of gold and silver mining is much like Ouray's, throughout the years it has developed a completely different personality than Ouray. Telluride has become one of Colorado's most spectacular ski resorts and the views are worth the 1-hour drive. Movie stars, among them, Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, Daryl Hannah, Sylvester Stallone and Christie Brinkley, have had homes in Telluride.

On your drive to Telluride, just west of Ridgway on Hwy 62, you will pass the magnificent Sneffels Range on the south side of the highway. This has become one of the most photographed range of mountains in the Rockies. Make sure to take your camera to capture this beautiful site on film.

Throughout most of the year, the Telluride Ski Resort operates a free gondola, whisking passengers high above the city to the Mountain Village. Be sure to check that out while you're there.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train

Narrow Gauge Train (Hwy 550 south of Ouray to Silverton. One-way time to Silverton is 1 hour.)

Many of Ouray's guests take advantage of a one-way option now available. Operating only from mid-June through early August, the railroad provides a bus which leaves Silverton at 7:30 a.m. and takes you on a magnificent drive to Durango in time to catch the 9:45 a.m. train, departing Durango back to Silverton. The train arrives back in Silverton at 1:15 p.m.

Call the Durango Depot (970.247.2733 or 888.872.4607) for more information or to make reservations. Be sure to check, also, for possible changes in departure or arrival times.

Black Canyon National Park

(Hwy 550 north of Ouray and east of Montrose on Hwy 50. One-way time to reach the Park is 1 hour.)

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the newest National Parks in the U.S. The entrance to this spectacular National Park is only eight miles east of Montroe off Hwy 50. The canyon, one mile deep at its deepest point, and 1,150 feet across at its narrowest, was carved out over millions of years by the Gunnison River. This is a great half-day adventure.

Begin your visit in the park at the visitor center, where you can get information on current activities and accessible facilites. Exhibits explain the history,flora,fauna, and geology of the park.

The best way to see into the canyon is on foot. A variety of short trails lead to overlooks on the canyon rim. Although most are rated easy, remember that you are hiking at an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Owl Creek Pass

(Hwy 550 north of Ouray and east on CR 10 beyond Ridgway. One-way time to reach the top of the pass is 1.5 hours.)

Only 12 miles north of Ouray, turn east onto County Road 10. This adventurous day trip will take you into the heart of the magnificent Cimarron Mountains. Be sure to follow signs directng you through ranchlands, alongside creeks and over high country meadows to the pass at 10,114 feet.

The peaks of Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain will watch over you as you drive along this route which once was a cattle drive trail.

On returning to your home, watch the movie True Grit. You might recognize several locations throughout the movie which were filmed along this drive.

Ridgway State Park

(Hwy 550 north of Ridgway. One-way time to reach the Park is 20 minutes.)

Colorado's newest State Park, a year-round recreational paradise, stretches nearly five miles into the Uncompahgre River Valley. Plan on spending the day there - hiking or biking the 15 miles of developed trails, gold medal trout fishing, taking advantage of the boat rentals at the full-service marina, camping, swimming, boating, waterskiing and lots more.

Mesa Verde National Park

(Hwy 550 south of Ouray and Hwy 145 west of Durango. One-way time to reach Mesa Verde is 3 hours.)

Mesa Verde Recently named the most popular National Park in the U.S., the ruins at Mesa Verde National Park are worth the drive. You will be able to see why these ancient Indians felt protected by their surroundings.

We recommend arriving as early in the day as possible to avoid the afternoon heat and then spending at least three to four hours at the park. The park opens at 9:00 a.m. Try to take in the museum before actually visiting the various ruins, as this will make the viewing of the ruins more meaningful.

Colorado National Monument

(Immediately west of Grand Junction on Hwy 340. One-way time to reach the Monument is 2 hours.)

The magnificent Colorado National Monument was esablished in 1911 to preserve one of the grand landscapes of the American West.

The Rim Rock Drive offers 23 miles of breathtaking views. The road climbs from the Grand Valley of the Colorado River to the park's high country, then winds along the plateau rim. The drive is ideal for bicycling as well as motor tours. A guidebook is available at the visitor center.

You can park at several roadside overlooks along the way and enjoy panoramas of the park's great rock sculptures, canyons and distant valleys and mountains. There are also a variety of picnic areas. Hiking and rock climbing are also popular in the area.