Hip-hip-Ouray in the San Juan Mountains
Known as the Switzerland of America, Ouray is a Victorian mining village set under the towering peaks of the Rockies. The area is a world-class ice-climbing destination but you don't need to pack a pick for a weekend in the mountains. You can bathe in hot springs, hike to Box Canyon Falls, or visit the Ouray County Museum and take an old mine tour, while thrill-seekers can try white-water rafting on the Uncompahgre River. Movie buffs will recognize the river as the backdrop to Clint Eastwood's "True Grit." After dark, venture out for dinner and drinks in Ouray's lively downtown.
Activities and attractions in Ouray
Are you hoping to find top things to see and do in the city? Although it can be tempting to stay in your comfortable vacation rental, you'll want to experience everything that makes Ouray a fun spot to vacation. Here are some of the most popular attractions to explore, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Ouray Hot Springs Pool (0.4 mi / 0.7 km)
- Orvis Hot Springs (8.4 mi / 13.5 km)
- Silverton Mountain Ski Resort (9.8 mi / 15.7 km)
- Telluride Trail (10.4 mi / 16.8 km)
- Telluride Ski Resort (11.2 mi / 18 km)
- The Peaks (11.3 mi / 18.1 km)
A mountain Mecca for thrill-seekers
An outdoor enthusiast's dream, Ouray is not a place for relaxing. As the ice-climbing capital of the US, winter draws crowds of ice climbers who come to conquer the region's frozen waterfalls. Visit in summer and you'll find it's a thrill-seekers Mecca, with mountain biking and hiking trails, and hair-raising off-road SUV expeditions. There is one way to relax, however. Visit one of the natural hot springs which surround the town, take your boots off and soothe your aching bones in the bubbling thermal waters.
Winter in the Rockies is ice, ice baby
Tucked away in the San Juan Mountains in the Rockies, this small town experiences all seasons, often in one day. Summers are generally warm, but cool at night and with the chance of rain and thunderstorms in July and August. Fall is when temperatures drop dramatically, but the sun still shines. Book a Ouray vacation rental in winter, and you could experience freezing temperatures and extreme snowfall, so pack for the Arctic. Spring is the nicest time to visit, with mild temperatures, a glimpse of sun, and rarely any rain.
There's an Ouray of wildlife in the Colorado mountains
Ouray is a small mining town surrounded by the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains, part of the Colorado Rockies. Moments from the main drag is the entrance to Box Canyon Falls Park, home to a 285-foot waterfall. There is an entrance fee between May and November, but the rest of the year it's free to enjoy. Birders come to spot the rare black swift, which migrates here each summer. Further afield you'll find the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests. The arid plains is where you'll find large herds of elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep.
How to get to and around Ouray
The nearest airport is in Telluride, CO (TEX-Telluride Regional), located 13.4 mi (21.5 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could also fly into Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), which is 35.2 mi (56.7 km) away.
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