San Juan County, Colorado

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 ...

This hike, a local favorite is less than five miles from downtown Durango. The entire hike offers beautiful views especially once your reach the top of Gudy's Rest. The trail starts off with a gradual uphill along Junction Creek. On this section of the trail, you will likely run into locals proba...

The mountain peak that turns blue when Coors and Coors Light bottles and cans are ice cold is real. No, it is not called Coors Peak. But it is in Colorado, where Coors was born. The snow-capped mountain in the Coors logo is really Wilson Peak near Telluride, Colorado.If you want to crack a Coo...

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...

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 ...

The Animas Mountain Trail is a 6 mile loop trail, easily accessible from town, and best used from March until October. In the early spring and late fall, it is advised to bring YakTrax or similar in case there are icy patches on the trail. This trail is located in the San Juan National Forest nea...

The Dalla Park shares a trailhead and parking lot with the Animas Mountain trail, frequently used for hiking and trail running. There is plenty of room in this lot, as well as several picnic tables. Immediately after crossing through the gate, the trail divides. The bike park takes up the south a...

From the western end of the town of Mancos, follow CR 42 north until it enters the national forest and becomes FR 561. Go right on FR 350 and keep right at any junctions (there are two of them) until you reach the signed Sharkstooth Trailhead about 19 miles from Mancos.  Enjoy your drive through ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

About a 45 minute drive east of Durango, sits the trailhead for the Piedra River Hot Springs. This free use, natural hot spring on the Piedra River has several 100 degree pools. The springs are accessible via a 3 mile roundtrip hike, often with wildlife sightings along the way. The hike to the ho...