Vacationing in Ouray, Colorado
Nestled high in the rugged San Juan range of the Rocky Mountains, the tiny Colorado town of Ouray is an excellent place to get away from it all. Ouray sits at an elevation of 8,000 feet and is the endpoint of the spectacular Million Dollar Highway. Founded during the gold and silver boom of the 1870s, the Ouray of today is a unique destination for people seeking relaxation, beautiful scenery and adventure.
Ouray is best known for its natural hot springs, which today feed the town’s historic pool. The pool has been open since 1927 and is listed on the National Historic Register. Visitors and locals alike visit the pool to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of swimming and soaking in the warm sulfur-free mineral water. The hot springs pool is open and enjoyable year round.
Ouray is beautiful anytime of year, whether you are looking for snow capped mountains or lush green valleys. Many visitors come to Ouray simply to unwind in the serene mountain beauty. The mountains and canyons around Ouray offer an incomparable backdrop for viewing waterfalls and mountain scenery during the warmer months. The aspens and other trees offer colorful fall foliage as well. With many affordable Ouray hotels, you can stay in town and be at the center of adventure.
For the more active visitor, Ouray’s mountains and canyons offer excellent hiking. In winter, the canyons around Ouray are a popular ice climbing destination. The surrounding San Juan mountains and old mining routes are popular with off-roaders, Jeep tours and backcountry hikers. Ouray also offers excellent mountain biking trails and backcountry skiing.
History buffs should tour the Bachelor-Syracuse mine and local history museum to learn more about Ouray’s mining past. Carriage and walking tours of the town can provide visitors with another chance to learn more about Ouray past and present. Many of the town’s original Victorian homes have been lovingly restored and are still lived in today.
Ouray is often called the Switzerland of America. The San Juan mountains are known for their high peaks and rugged landscape. The jaw dropping drive to reach Ouray can be a bit daunting for some, but take it slow and enjoy the journey. The portion of the scenic San Juan Skyway that runs between Silverton and Ouray, known as the Million Dollar Highway, offers 25 miles of unparalleled beauty. Once in Ouray, you will be rewarded with affordable accommodations and dining, spectacular scenery and a chance to relax and unwind. Ouray offers a true escape, and is a quieter change of pace from the glitzier ski towns of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
