Explore Ridgway, Colorado

Snuggled into the Uncompahgre Valley in western Colorado, the postcard-perfect little town of Ridgway is home to around 1,000 residents and is one of the sweetest getaways in the entire state.

The scenery begs for superlatives, with the San Juan mountain range to the south jutting into the bluest of skies and the Cimarron peaks commanding a Standing O. Hill and vale, are covered with pine and aspen, and cottonwoods dot the stream banks in the lower regions. And it’s all illuminated by an average of 300 sunshiny days each year.

Ridgway Culture

Ridgway is downright beautiful. It’s more than what meets the eye, with a community that supports ranchers, farmers, and other land stewards and artists of all stripes. Studios and galleries provide outlets for painters, sculptors, artisans, potters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, photographers, and weavers—if it’s beautiful, you’ll find it in here.

There’s also an energetic musical force in town, with a popular concert series. Sherbino Theater also offers music, film showings, and other cultural fare. Shopping is just as varied, with one-of-a-kind treasures and souvenirs ready to go home with you.

Historical Significance

For history buffs, Ridgway has a colorful past. It was founded in the last decade of the 19th century as headquarters for the Rio Grand Southern Narrow Gauge Railroad, which services the area’s gold and silver mines and farmers and ranchers. A museum holds relics of those bygone glory days. The area’s incredibly idyllic setting made it the perfect backdrop for 1969’s True Grit, for which John Wayne won the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn.

Ridgway Food & Lodging

While you’re soaking up the atmosphere, consider sampling some of Ridgway’s food and drink. Numerous renowned restaurants, as well as a local brewery and distillery, are located in the town.

Accommodations to fit every budget and need are available in Ridgway and nearby Ouray, and the area is a great place to pitch a tent and get to know Mother Nature on a first-name basis.

Recreation

The four seasons present endless possibilities for outdoor recreation.

• A favorite recreation area is Ridgway State Park, which has a 1,000-acre reservoir just a couple of miles from town. The Uncompahgre River offers great fishing, and the reservoir park is also ideal for camping, boating, waterskiing, windsurfing, picnicking, hiking, and biking.
• If a good soaking sounds good, Orvis Hot Springs offers several pools outside and one indoors.
• Mountain biking, gravel riding, and road biking are popular in and around Ridgway. There are plenty of trails, backroads, and challenging pavement to satisfy all cycling enthusiasts. Check out the San Juan Hut Systems, which has fully stocked huts strategically located on dirt roads and single-track trails from high alpine areas to Canyon Country; learn more.
• You can go off-road via Jeep, Buggy, or RAZR, or you can pick the type of off-road vehicle.
• For horse lovers, saddle up and sign up for a horseback riding adventure.
• Mountaineering guided services are offered via Skyward Mountaineering.

There’s also rodeo, golf, motorcycle and off-road tours, rafting, kayaking, hunting, birding, skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, scenic drives… Oh, the things you’ll do in Ridgway!