Ouray is best known as the city at the
northern end
of the Million Dollar Highway, the scenic section of Rt. 550 that
winds up through the San Juan Mountains. Now there’s a road trip you should
make time for! The road heads through the mountain passes and skirts some steep
drops, and there aren't even guardrails. It can be an unnerving, and yet
exciting drive.
Ouray is a fine town to stay in during
your vacation, but you'll find most of the attractions are outside of town. Not
far from Ouray is the Uncompahgre Gorge, Box Canyon Falls and Yankee Boy Basin;
all amazing natural sites that you shouldn't miss.
When you're planning your vacation
schedule, see if you can be in Ouray on the fourth of July. The local
firefighters get into action and stage a giant water fight right in the middle
of town. Plan on getting soaked even from two blocks away!
Thanks to the town's old mining
heritage, there are back roads and Jeep trails all through the local mountains.
If you enjoy a rough off-road trip, Ouray is the place to be and is right up
there with Moab in Utah. Let us know when you want to get off the beaten track,
and we'll hook you up with a great 4-wheel drive vehicle.
And when you're done for the day, take a
long soak in one of the natural hot spring pools. You can't get much more
relaxed than that!
Quick Facts:
--Ouray is nicknamed the
"Switzerland of America", because of its scenic beauty.
--Nearby Camp Bird Mine is actually still
in operation, and is the second largest gold mine in Colorado.
