DAY TRIPS

Heart of the San Juan Skyway

Ouray is located in the heart of "The San Juan Skyway". This All-American Road has been designated as one of the most scenic drives in America. We offer you the perfect location for your stay as you explore the joys and romance of our majestic mountains, spectacular scenery, historic adventure and exceptional recreational opportunities. We welcome you to Base Camp Ouray!

Check out the San Juan Sky Way Map here!

SILVERTON

(Hwy 550. Distance one way: 23 miles/1 hour)

Make sure you have your camera for this incredible 23-mile drive to Silverton. There are plenty of "photo ops" along the way so take extra rolls of film.

The Million Dollar Highway was a toll road built in the 1880's by Otto Mears. His tollgate was situated just beyond the Bear Creek Falls pullout three miles south of Ouray.

Throughout this drive you will find the mountainsides pocked 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 Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Take time to explore this historic mining town and enjoy a bite of lunch.

If you have an interest in exploring one of our area's ghost towns, follow Silverton's Main Street (Hwy 110) through town to the old townsite of Animas Forks. To get there, pass Silverton's Courthouse and Museum on the left and then follow the right fork of Hwy 110, leaving Silverton, for approximately 11.5 miles. Hwy 110 becomes a gravel road about two miles outside of Silverton but the entire distance to Animas Forks can be driven in a regular passenger car.

DURANGO-SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE TRAIN

Many of Ouray's guests take advantage of a one-way option now available. Operating from mid June through late August, the railroad provides a bus which leaves Silverton at 7:45 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.
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DURANGOSILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD
888.train-07
www.durangotrain.com
479 Main Ave. Durango.
Ride this historic railroad through the majestic mountains of Southwest Colorado and take a step back in time and history. Call or visit our web site for special events and excursions throughout the year.
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BLACK CANYON NATIONAL PARK

(US Highway 50 east & CO Hwy 347. Distance one way: 42 miles/1 hour)

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

RIDGWAY ~ TRY A ROUND OF CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

(Hwys 550 & 62)

Located just fifteen minutes north of Ouray, the small community of Ridgway is a cowboy's paradise. Ridgway hosts the Annual Ouray County Fair & Rodeo each Labor Day weekend and a large arts and crafts show in August. They have a beautiful town park where scenes from True Grit were filmed, with a variety of restaurants and shops on the Town Square.

You can also enjoy a world-class round of golf at Fairway Pines Golf and Country Club located on the mesa above Ridgway. This natural-terrain course offers an 18-hole championship challenge at an elevation of 8,000 feet.

The Links at Cobble Creek is the area's newest golf course. Open year round, this nine-hole course is located south of Montrose.

RIDGWAY STATE PARK

(Hwy 550 north of Ridgway. Distance one way: 12 miles/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, and lots more.

OWL CREEK PASS

(Hwy 550 to CR 10. One way time: 1-1/2 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 directing you through ranch lands, along side 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 home, watch the movie True Grit. You might recognize several locations throughout the movie which were filmed along this drive.

SAN JUAN SKYWAY

(Hwys 550, 62, 145 & 160. Round trip miles: 236 /Time: 6-7 hours)

This nationally designated All-American Road offers 236 miles of state-maintained highway, looping through some of the most spectacular scenery in America.

Your day will be spent traveling throughout the San Juan Mountains, covering vastly changing terrain which includes five distinct ecosystems, five million acres of national forest, national parks, wilderness areas and state parks. From deserts, alpine forests and over tall mountain passes, you will experience the journey of a lifetime.

You will see several of Colorado's 14,000-ft mountain peaks, experience the Million Dollar Highway and drive over mountain passes exceeding 11,000 feet. Learn of early mining & railroad history in the towns of Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Durango and Silverton.

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK

Midway between Cortez and Durango on Hwy 145. One way time: 3 hours)

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: 2 hours)

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

You will enjoy the 7-mile Rim Rock Drive, viewing brilliantly colored masses of naturally-sculpted rock throughout a 32-square mile area. There are several overlooks, picnic areas and short hiking trails along this 7-miles drive.

HOW ABOUT A DAY OF FISHING?

No matter what type of fishing you prefer, the lakes and streams in OurayÕs surrounding mountains offer it all.

If you didn't bring your fishing equipment along, basic fly-fishing gear can be either rented or purchased from Cimarron Creek in Montrose, Dallas Country Store (Conoco service station) in Ridgway, or 7 Flies Outfitters in Ouray. A 1-day fishing license ($5.25) or a 5-day license ($18.25) can be purchased at the Dallas Country Store in Ridgway.

For those that enjoy lake fishing, Ridgway Reservoir (20 minutes away), in the beautiful Cimarron Mountains, is great for catching Rainbow Trout and Kokanae Salmon. Brown Trout reproduce naturally in the lake and many near-state-record Browns have been caught from this particular reservoir.

A variety of mountain streams can also be reached without 4-wheel drive for great fly-fishing. There are many small streams holding Brook Trout and Rainbows but the two most popular places to go are the Uncompahgre River, below the Ridgway Reservoir Dam (Pa-Co-Chu-Puck) and the "Forks" across from the Silver Jack Reservoir. The Uncompahgre River are catch-and-release waters and artificial bait must be used (fly or lures). At the "Forks", native Cutthroat can be caught.

The Ouray Chamber Resort Association produces a small fishing flier. Stop by the Visitor Center by the Hot Springs Pool and ask for one if you need more detailed information.

TELLURIDE

(Hwy 550 to Hwy 62, then Hwy 62 to Hwy 145. One way time: 55 minutes)

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 55-minute drive. Movie stars, among them ~ Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, Daryl Hannah, Sylvester Stallone andChristie Brinkley ~ have built homes in Telluride.

On your drive to Telluride, via 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.

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