Outbound Collective logo

Ouray, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Ouray

  • Ouray, Colorado

    Lower Cascade Falls

    3.0
    0.5 mi
    Located within the picturesque town of Ouray, Colorado, Cascade Falls is what most city parks strive to be. This park and amazing waterfall are located on the edge of town along the longer 5+ mile Perimeter Trail and provides a place for picnics, relaxing, and further days hikes through connector...
    Read more
  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Explore Yankee Boy Basin and the San Juan Mountains

    5.0
    While its nickname "The Switzerland of America" may have been invented by some overzealous marketers, Ouray, Colorado and the surrounding San Juan Mountains is a destination you won't want to skip. Expansive green valleys blanketed with wildflowers, distant snowcapped peaks, and hidden lakes will...
    Read more
  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Soak at Ouray Hot Springs

    4.0
    There are three different hot springs facilities to choose from in Ouray, notable for its proximity to the San Juan peaks. Orvis Hot Springs has seven pools, each ranging from between 98 and 112 degrees, with nice views to accompany your soak. Wiesbaden Hot Springs has a natural vaporcave, in add...
    Read more
  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Box Canyon Falls

    5.0
    0.57 mi / 243 ft gain
    Box Canyon Falls is located on the outskirts of Ouray, Colorado less than five minutes from downtown. The nearly 300 foot waterfall crashes through the canyon down to the town's hot springs. The park also features a bridge overlooking the waterfall, river, and the town of Ouray. To get to Box Ca...
    Read more
  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Ice Climb the Ouray Ice Park

    5.0
    Over a mile of the Uncompahgre Gorge is farmed for ice every year and they have gotten very good at it!! The ice park begins at the southern edge of town and continues south through the gorge for approximately 1 mile. The ice park is typically open from mid December-late March.If you enjoy gettin...
    Read more
  • Ouray, Colorado

    Backpack to Dragon's Back via Horsethief Trail

    5.0
    16 mi / 3520 ft gain
    The Uncompahgre Wilderness stretches out through the mountains and forests of southwestern Colorado, with worn trails lingering beside abandoned 19th-century mines and crossing old alpine sheep pastures. Dragon's Back is the unofficial name for Point 12,968', a small but beautiful summit at the b...
    Read more
  • Ouray, Colorado

    Mineral Creek OHV Trail

    14.04 mi / 3307 ft gain
    Mineral Creek OHV Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Ouray, Colorado.
    Read more
  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Explore Twin Falls in Yankee Boy Basin

    While small, Twin Falls sits in the extremely photogenic backdrop of Yankee Boy Basin. To reach the falls 7.5 miles outside of Ouray follow Camp Bird road for 4.7 miles before taking a right onto Yankee Boy Basin Road. After 2.8 miles you'll reach one of several small parking areas on the left ...
    Read more
  • Ouray, Colorado

    Drive Engineer Pass

    5.0
    This pass is closed December through May but when opened, does not fall short of views. I drove it on opening weekend and the snow was piled high all around (pictured above) but the views were just as amazing as driving it in late summer.  Starting in Silverton, drive east on Colorado 2 through t...
    Read more
  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Running to Grizzly Bear Mine

    Bear Creek Trail, which leads to Grizzly Mine, is located just 2 miles outside of Ouray, Colorado on Highway 550 immediately following the first tunnel. There's two parking lots, a large one and a small one, the trail leads from the small parking lot over the tunnel and highway. There are no bath...
    Read more
  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Explore Corckscrew Gulch

    Corkscrew Gulch is named for the narrow and winding switchbacks that "corkscrewes" up Red Mountain Two. It is hard to miss this area of the San Juan Mountains, because the deep reds, oranges, and yellows blanket all three of the named "Red Mountains". The red color in the mountains is caused by o...
    Read more
  • Ouray County, Colorado

    Mount Sneffels via Yankee Boy Basin

    5.0
    1.94 mi / 1581 ft gain
    The most common route, sometimes called the standard route or the Lavender Col route, begins at or near the top of Yankee Boy Basin, just outside of Ouray. Take the Camp Bird Road as far as you can, though be warned that the last few miles of the road are extremely rough and should only be attem...
    Read more
  • Ouray County, Colorado

    Climb Mt. Sneffels via the Southwest Ridge

    4.5
    3 mi / 1800 ft gain
    There is a great description of this trailhead here: Hike Mount SneffelsThe SW Ridge route of Mt Sneffels is a Class III scramble in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness area of the San Juan Range located between Ouray and Telluride, Colorado. This route is 3 miles RT with 1,800 feet of elevation gain ...
    Read more
  • Telluride, Colorado

    Blue Lakes Trail

    5.0
    8.81 mi / 2635 ft gain
    Your adventure begins at the Blue Lakes Trailhead, elevation 9400’, in Uncompahgre National Forest. Take CO-62 from Ridgway toward Telluride, turn left onto Ouray County Road 7, and follow it into the national forest to the end of the road. Just past the trailhead, the trail splits; be sure to ...
    Read more
  • Silverton, Colorado

    Drive to California Pass

    California Pass’s summit is a jaw dropping 12,960 feet above sea level. A long way from the valley floor, California Gulch, but, as drivers start their trek, the valley floor starts to shrink and gives way to steep climbs and switchbacks. Off road vehicles are needed to reach the top, and drivers...
    Read more
  • Silverton, Colorado

    Explore Hurricane Pass and Lake Como

    Spending much of the trek above tree line, Hurricane Pass is situated at 12,730 feet above sea level and offers up views of Poughkeepsie Gulch (a more extreme off-road trail) and sapphire blue mountain lakes, such as Lake Como. One of the most beautiful roads in the lower 48 states, Hurricane Pas...
    Read more

Camping and Lodging in Ouray

Ouray KOA Holiday
Ridgway, Colorado

Ouray KOA Holiday

Jackson Guard Station
Gunnison, Colorado

Jackson Guard Station

Matterhorn
San Miguel County, Colorado

Matterhorn

Alpine Ranger Station
County Road 868

Alpine Ranger Station

Cayton Campground
Rico, Colorado

Cayton Campground

The Gate Campground
Powderhorn, Colorado

The Gate Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Ouray

Ouray, Colorado: A Tiny Town With a Giant History of Ice Climbing

Ouray, Colorado: A Tiny Town With a Giant History of Ice Climbing

Connor Charles

My Final Backpacking Trip of the Year: Blue Lakes, Colorado

My Final Backpacking Trip of the Year: Blue Lakes, Colorado

Sonja Saxe

​72 Hours in Telluride: Summer & Fall Edition

​72 Hours in Telluride: Summer & Fall Edition

Josiah Roe

The Quietest Ski Town: Silverton, Colorado

The Quietest Ski Town: Silverton, Colorado

Holly Mandarich