Written and Photographed by Jennifer Skinnell
Between Montrose and Silverton Highway 550 sits the small town of Ouray, Colorado. Known to many as “Little Switzerland” because of the epic views of the San Juan Mountains, it’s also known as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado.” This quaint town is the perfect base camp for hiking, jeeping, kayaking and winter ice climbing.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Ouray, Colorado by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Jennifer talk about Ouray on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Visit Mouse’s Chocolate & Coffee—You might as well start with a walk into town for your morning coffee. Mouse’s opened in 1997 and specializes in Belgian chocolates and fresh-brewed coffees. They roast their beans in an antique coffee roaster and offer various flavors. Their handmade chocolates selection is also vast and varied. Mouse’s is the perfect place to have a coffee while enjoying the scenery.
9. Visit Cascade Falls Park—Cascade Falls Park lies at the base of Cascade Falls. You can access it by walking or driving east up 8th Avenue to the parking lot. A short quarter-mile walk takes you to the base of the falls. However, this is a relatively steep hike, so plan accordingly. There’s a nice sitting area before the hike; you can see the falls from there. Cascade Falls is one of the four waterfalls of the Perimeter Trail. Visible from downtown Ouray, this waterfall is spectacular in the spring after the snow melts.
8. Have a Beer at Ouray Brewery’s Rooftop Beer Garden—In the heart of Ouray sits Ouray Brewery. Open since 2009, this brewery offers a great selection of food made from fresh ingredients, only made better by their selection of house-made beers. Ouray Brewery uses locally sourced ingredients unique to the region and Ouray. Perhaps the best part is the location and view from the rooftop deck. You can view downtown and the beginning of the Million Dollar Highway to the south.
7. Visit Box Cañon Falls Park & Nature Center—Box Cañon Falls is at the south end of Ouray and home to the thundering waterfalls. This is where Canyon Creek descends into the Uncompahgre River, and you can hear the roar from the parking lot. There is an easy pathway to the metal walkway, where you can go to the base of the falls. After enjoying the falls, hike up 200 feet in a half-mile round trip to the High Bridge Trail. The views from this bridge of the falls and the town beyond are spectacular. Finish your visit by taking a short stroll on the Native Plant Loop. No steps or climbing here. Simply enjoy the sounds of the rushing water while you learn about the plants native to this area.
6. Have Dinner at True Grit Cafe in Ridgeway—Ouray and Ridgeway, its neighbor to the north, are where John Wayne’s movie, True Grit, was filmed. Full of John Wayne memorabilia, True Grit Cafe opened in 1985 and is an authentic “Ranch-to-Fork” eatery. This is also where the locals go, so you know it’s good. After enjoying a great burger, walk around the small town of Ridgeway, and you’ll see markers on the buildings used in the film.
5. Hike the Perimeter Trail—This 5.6-mile hike winds up into the mountains surrounding Ouray, thus its name. It boasts terrain ranging from flat to very hilly, has impressive scenery, passes four waterfalls and goes over six bridges. This hike is not a walk in the woods or nature, so be prepared with plenty of water and hiking gear. However, if you want a Sound of Music moment, hike the south portion east of the Million Dollar Highway.
4. Explore the Quaint Town of Ouray—While Ouray is known for its outdoor sports, it’s worth the trip. Within the many buildings dating back to the silver mining days are shops filled with items sold by local artisans, painters and crafters. Clothing, leather goods, jewelry and souvenirs are plentiful. If cooking is your thing, there’s a fully stocked culinary store. Be sure to head to Ouray Grocery, a.k.a. Duckett’s Market, the only grocery in town to get your provisions. Then go to Ouray Meat & Cheese Market for the freshest steaks, sausage, hamburgers and bison burgers. And if you need outdoor sports supplies, Ouray Mountain Sports has you covered.
3. Drive the Million Dollar Highway—The Million Dollar Highway is about 25 miles long and runs from Ouray to Silverton. This road goes up and over three mountain passes, but the first 12 miles are not for the faint of heart. If you’re on the passenger side, you’ll find yourself leaning toward the driver as the road winds through the Uncompahgre Gorge. There are no guardrails, and the cliffs make for an uncomfortable feeling. We saw semis and RVs driving this road, but we wouldn’t recommend it if you’re uncomfortable with narrow lanes and cliffs. However, the views are pretty amazing.
2. Visit Silverton—At the south end of the Million Dollar Highway is the mining town of Silverton, Colorado. This is another old mining town with saloons, shops, restaurants and even dirt roads if you go one block east of Main Street. We grabbed a cup of coffee—more to calm our nerves from the drive on the Million Dollar Highway—and went exploring. They’ve kept many buildings intact; you get the mining town vibe when walking around. Be sure to take the time to read all the historical plaques to learn about this vital part of our nation’s mining history.
1. Enjoy the Beautiful Scenery From Ouray Riverside Resort—We stayed there for most of May and experienced all four seasons. The owners had been full-time RVers for two years before settling down and purchasing this resort. They have turned it into a destination location with RV sites, cabins, a restaurant, jeep rentals and more. The area of Riverside makes it our favorite place to visit. Nestled at the north end of Ouray along the Uncompahgre River, the views are spectacular. Park your rig and walk into town for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or stay at your site with a cup of coffee and enjoy the views.
Whether exploring historical sites, shopping in quaint shops, dining with the locals or enjoying the outdoors, Ouray has much to offer.
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