Ouray County, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Ouray County

Ridgway, Colorado
Photograph Dallas Divide

Along with Maroon Lake and Crystal Mill, Dallas Divide is one of Colorado's iconic photography locations. It's proximity to the rugged San Juan mountains makes it an ideal location to capture some of Colorado's most incredible scenery in one picture frame. Start your adventure by grabbing your t...
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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...
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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 ...
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Lake City, Colorado
Backpack to Wetterhorn Basin

13 mi / 3000 ft gain

This trip is for the lover of solitude and the appreciator of the unscathed backcountry. Wetterhorn Basin is in the heart of the beautiful San Juan Mountain range in Southwestern Colorado.With a 4WD high clearance vehicle start at the West Cimarron Trailhead at 10,750 feet (38.1117N -107.5533W),...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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.
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Telluride, Colorado
Hike the Jud Wiebe Trail

5.0

3.1 mi / 1300 ft gain

The Jud Wiebe can be accessed from two trailheads: 1) The top of North Aspen St (opposite direction of the Gondola) and across the bridge on the left (where this adventure starts) 2) North Oak St - hike up Tomboy Road and head to the left at the sign for the Jud Wiebe trail Street parking is ava...
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Telluride, Colorado
Hike to Cornet Creek Falls

4.0

Only 5 minutes from the center of Telluride, Cornet Creek Falls is the perfect hike for those seeking a serene mountain escape without having to go far away from the center of all the action.From town, head up North Aspen Street towards the Jud Wiebe Trailhead. Once arrived, continue straight up ...
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Telluride, Colorado
Fat Bike In Telluride

5.0

There are great fat bike trails leaving directly from the town of Telluride, CO with picture-perfect views of the San Juan Mountains. You can leave directly from where the main gondola takes off and go towards Bridal Veil, to the Valley Floor, or combine both for a perfect day of adventure. If yo...
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