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Top Adventures in Silverton
Fly Fish the Animas River
While the Animas River runs for miles in the San Juan National Forest, a beautiful (and accessible) stretch runs right through Silverton, CO. Here, you can fish, hike, or chill.
The river is fast with very few pockets for the trout to hide; howeve...
Photograph Moose of the Animas River
Between the city of Silverton and prior to reaching the ghost town of Animas Forks a wonderful area of alpine beaver ponds that are teaming with trout, many species of ducks, beavers, and moose.
Along the forest road in the early morning and even...
Camp at Little Molas Lake
Little Molas Lake Campground is about 1 mile off of US Highway 550 on Molas Pass just North of and on the other side of the highway from the Molas Overlook. Pro-tip: there is also another campground nearby called Molas Lake Park & Campground, ...
1 miles
40 ft gain
Hike the Colorado Trail: Little Molas Lake to Lime Creek
To hike this section of the Colorado Trail, you'll begin from the Little Molas Lake Campground at around 10,895-ft. Little Molas Lake Campground is about 1 mile off of US Highway 550 on Molas Pass just North of and on the other side of the highway...
10 miles
755 ft gain
Hike to Upper Ice Lake
From the Ice Lakes trailhead begin hiking through a meadow that quickly enters the forest and begins to climb. The trail will climb ~1,600 feet in the next two miles. As the trail climbs there is a scenic waterfall just over .5 miles, it is worth ...
7.5 miles
2430 ft gain
Backpack to Island Lake
From the Ice Lakes basin Trailhead, this 8 mile round trip trail with 3000 feet of elevation gain will bring you to the Ice Lakes Basin with an abundance of beautiful lakes, especially Island Lake and Ice Lake. We camped on a little shelf above Is...
8 miles
3000 ft gain
Backpack the Ice Lakes Trail
Just north of Silverton, CO, lies the South Mineral Valley which is reachable down a well maintained, and paved dirt road and ends in the South Mineral Campground.The hike starts out with a sweat generating 1500+ feet of gain over its first two mi...
8.4 miles
3200 ft gain
Climb Fuller Peak
Begin by hiking the Ice Lakes Trail for 3.5 miles, which will take you to Ice Lake. From here, you can identify the obvious, delta-shaped mountain to climber's left, known as Fuller Peak (13,761ft). Hike cross country, directly toward the base of ...
Camp at South Mineral Campground
Some general notes: South Mineral Campground does not take reservations - all sites are first come first served. There are an assortment of designated areas along South Mineral Road where dispersed camping is allowed so there is plenty of campin...
Backpack to Crater Lake in San Juan National Forest
Reaching this trailhead actually begins off of Andrews Lake - you will see signs for Andrews Lake off HWY 550. I will provide directions from both Durango and Silverton at the end. The trailhead is extremely well marked the entire way. The mileage...
11 miles
870 ft gain
Drive Black Bear Pass & the Ingram Basin
Black Bear Pass (el. 12,840’), officially known as Forest Service Road 648, is an infamous 4WD road that runs between U.S. Highway 550 (between Silverton & Ouray) and Telluride, CO. From the pass downhill through the Ingram Basin to Telluride,...
12 miles
3000 ft gain
Explore Clear Lake
The road to Clear Lake offers wonderful views of the South Fork Mineral Creek, and the San Juan Mountains. Some people make the 9-mile round-trip hike with 2,600 feet of elevation gain, others drive as far as their vehicle will allow and hike from...
Inspire Your Fall Aspen Trip!
Autumn days in Aspen are filled with sunshine and nights with crisp cool air. Watch the mountains and valleys turn gold with the changing Aspen trees. Take in the scenery while enjoying scenic drives, hiking through forests, road biking, and exploring our IMBA Gold Level Ride Center recognized mountain bike trails.
Nearby camping, hotels, and more
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San Miguel County, Colorado
Matterhorn
Overview Matterhorn Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145), near the quaint town of Telluride, at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its beautif... -
Rico, Colorado
Cayton Campground
Overview Cayton Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145) and the Dolores River. Visitors enjoy the area for its great fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities.... -
Durango, Colorado
Haviland Lake Campground
Overview Haviland Lake Campground is situated on its beautiful namesake within the San Juan National Forest, 18 miles north of Durango. Visitors enjoy the area for its canoeing, fishing and hiking ... -
Creede, Colorado
Thirty Mile
Overview Thirty Mile Campground is nestled on the banks of the Rio Grande River, just a short mile from the Rio Grande Reservoir. The location is perfect for anyone who loves to spend time fishing,... -
Creede, Colorado
River Hill
Overview River Hill is a popular campground on the banks of the Rio Grande River. Situated in a meadow surrounded by willows, campers come here to fish for trout, hunt and take in the beautiful vie...
