Known as the Swiss Alps of America, there's no shortage of incredible things to do in Ouray, Colorado. Here's where to get started.
Planning a trip to Ouray, Colorado soon? Here are the top ten 10 things to do in the "Switzerland of America".
A quick guide to spending a long weekend in the gorgeous town of Ouray, Colorado in the San Juan Mountains. Where to eat, stay and where to hot spring!
If you are traveling to Colorado in the summer, make sure to visit Ouray, a beautiful town called the Switzerland of America for good reason
Discover best things to do in Ouray, Colorado including Box Canyon Falls, Cascade Falls, Perimeter Trail, mine tour & Million Dollar Highway.
Lace up your hiking boots and explore the stunning mountains surrounding Ouray. So many great trails to choose from, there's an adventure for everyone. Ouray, Colorado offers so much in the way of fantastic hikes, hot springs, off-roading trails, camping spots, and outdoor recreation pursuits — you
Visit Colorful Colorado and partake in activities, such as chasing fall foliage in Colorado and driving through best colorful autumn drives!
Discover best things to do in Ouray, Colorado including Box Canyon Falls, Cascade Falls, Perimeter Trail, mine tour & Million Dollar Highway.
There are so many fun and adventurous things to do in Ouray Colorado in the summer! Here is a list of great things to do in Ouray!
A full list of the best things to do in Ouray, Colorado including hikes, fishing, shopping, via ferrata, and more!
Known as the Swiss Alps of America, there's no shortage of incredible things to do in Ouray, Colorado. Here's where to get started.
The Western Slope is my favorite part of Colorado…and that’s saying something because I really do love Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park!! The western slope is home to some of the prettiest scenery in Colorado, as well as several cute towns such as Pagosa Springs, Durango, Silverton, Telluride, and of course – Ouray. Ouray (pronounced your-ay) is similar in a lot of ways to my beloved Telluride. They’re both nestled in a box canyon, they both have gorgeous views of the San Juans, they both have the cutest little Main St. you’ve ever seen, and they both have rushing rivers going through them. While I love Telluride, I feel like Ouray is a bit more of a “best-kept secret” than Telluride is. Most natives of Colorado claim they like Ouray better than Telluride because it’s less touristy and less crowded. I’ve only ever been to Telluride while there are Festivals going on, so I can’t really say that I can give it a fair comparison as far as crowds go, but I would say that most people seem to know more about Telluride than Ouray. Whatever your opinion is on the two, Ouray is definitely worth exploring all in its own right! Ouray is known as the “Switzerland of America”, and lies at the end of the aptly named “Million Dollar Highway” that starts in Durango. Ouray is heaven for those seeking outdoor activities and natural beauty, and I can’t recommend visiting it enough! There are not a lot of hotel options in this little town, so I suggest using VRBO when looking for accommodations. Check out my Resource page to see why I love partnering with VRBO!) So, with those of you who want to visit in mind, today’s post is highlighting all the top things to do in Ouray! So in no particular order, here goes: (Disclosure: Some of the links in my post are affiliate links. This means that when you click on the link to buy a certain product, I will receive a small commission off the sale. It doesn’t affect the price that you pay, and the commission I receive doesn’t have any bearing on my recommendation! Regardless, I hope that you like the products and give them a try whether you use my links or not, cause I truly suggest only what I use and love!) 1. Box Canon Falls & Park Chances are if you’re a Pinterest addict like me, you’ve probably seen pictures of the Box Canon Falls. This waterfall and Park are located on the outskirts of town and are an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. It’s not often you get to watch waterfalls rush through such a tight space, but you can here in Ouray! The waterfall can be viewed from several different vantage points, and the Park’s trails intersect with other popular hiking trails such as the Perimeter Trail. If you climb to the top of the Park, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the town and its surrounding mountains. The park does have an entrance fee, but the admission price is well worth it! Box Canon Falls is definitely a Must-See of Ouray. 2. “Switzerland of America” Look Out You cannot go to Ouray without stopping to take a picture with the iconic “Switzerland of America” sign!! This photo spot is located driving south on HWY-550/Million Dollar Highway toward Silverton right outside of Ouray. The turn off is easy to spot and will be on your right side if you are coming from Ouray. This activity doesn’t take up much time and is actually on the way to some of the others on this list! Make sure you bring a handy-dandy tripod so you can capture a frameable family/group photo! Below on the left is the one I like to use. It works with several different types of cameras and comes with an adapter to set your phone up as well. For those of you who roll with phones only, the one on the right is the one I use for when I’m traveling light: 3. Bear Creek Falls Bear Creek Falls is an impressive waterfall that’s easy to miss near the end of the Million Dollar Highway! Multiple sources place this waterfall at approximately 200 ft in height, and it’s definitely something you should see if you’re moseying around Ouray! If you are driving up 550 from Ouray (south), the pull-off is the first one past the trailhead parking for Bear Creek Trail (you won’t see signs for the waterfall, but you will see signs for Bear Creek Trail & parking). This pull-off has breathtaking 360-degree views, and the waterfall is the icing on the cake! Bear Creek Falls is only a short drive from town, and you will pass the “Switzerland of America” on the way…so basically you are knocking two birds out with one stone! There really is no reason not to see it! 4. Drive the Million Dollar Highway Ahhhh, the Million Dollar Highway. Truly, this is a “Colorado Bucket List” Item right here! The Million Dollar Highway follows HWY 550 from outside of Durango and ends at Ouray. There’s some incredibly scenic vistas as well as the oh-so-cute mountain town of Silverton, CO. Ideally, you will travel from Durango with your destination at the end, because you probably won’t want to do a “there and back” trip on this road – so plan your trip accordingly! I’ve only ever driven from Durango to Ouray, and I highly suggest doing it this way. In my opinion, the scenery gets better the closer you get to Ouray, so by driving this route, you are saving the best for last! 5. Hike the Perimeter Trail The Perimeter Trail is definitely a Ouray Bucket List item! Coming in at 6 miles, it’s what I would rank as definitely going to take some time but not totally unachievable. Just like its name suggests, this trail completely encircles the town of Ouray, passing by several waterfalls and delivering amazing views at every turn! The best access point is across the street from the Ouray Visitor Center on the east side of 550. Check out this link for a very thorough trail description and a map! 6. Cascade Falls Cascade Falls is a waterfall close to the center of town. It’s located a couple of blocks right off the Main St and is a popular place to check out! The walk to the falls from the trailhead is so short I wouldn’t even consider it a hike at all! There is definitely some incline involved, especially if you are walking all the way from Main St! Even though it’s short, be prepared for putting a little effort into it if you aren’t used to the elevation. I definitely suggest making time to see this waterfall while visiting Ouray! Check out my post on Cascade Falls to learn all about it! 7. Shop, Dine, and Stroll Down Main Street Ouray’s Main St is one of the most picturesque Main Street’s I’ve ever seen – right up there with Telluride! The buildings are all historic but well kept, and every direction you look you see mountains towering over you. There are lots of shops to stroll around in and lots of restaurants with outdoor seating so you don’t miss a minute of those views! If you ever find yourself in Ouray, make sure you take time to enjoy this treasure of a mountain town! I loved so many of the pictures I took here, so I’m just gonna let them speak for themselves: Centennial Park is a nice little spot to feel some grass under your feet right off Main Street, so don’t forget to make a pit-stop! See what I mean? Now I know you can’t wait to visit here! 8. Unwind at Ouray’s Fellin Park Fellin Park is a little gem of a spot right behind the Hot Springs! It’s got a large grassy field, a playground, and a picnic area, all with gorgeous views of the surrounding San Juans. This is a great place to stretch your legs and take a break if you are driving through, and an even better spot to spend the golden hour of the early evening in. Fellin Park is located along HWY 550 leaving Ouray towards Montrose. As stated previously, it’s right behind the Hot Springs – you can’t miss it! 9. Experience Ouray’s Hot Springs Pool & Fitness Center For all of you Hot Springs lovers, Ouray’s got you covered with the Ouray Hot Springs Park! This park houses a variety of pools including adults-only soaking area, activity pools, a workout pool, and a playing pool! It even has water slides, an obstacle course, and a climbing wall for the kiddos. Whatever age group your party is comprised of will find enjoyment at this stop! Check out their website for the most up to date prices! 10. Take a Drive on HWY-62 Toward Telluride for Amazing Views of the San Juans Man, oh man, I gotta tell ya…I have seen little that compares to the snow-capped peaks of the San Juans, particularly on the drive between Montrose and Telluride/HWY-62. It’s actually really hard and unfair to be the driver on this highway – because all you want to do is stop and drink up the views! Even if you don’t have plans to stay in Telluride, I would still suggest driving down this road to see the mountains – especially if there’s still snow on the peaks! Fall would also be a time you don’t want to miss this drive because the closer you get to the turn off for Telluride, the more Aspen covers the hillside! You will also see a turn off for Last Dollar Road along this highway, which is a Colorado gold standard for fall colors! Make sure you don’t miss out! Honorable Mentions: I don’t usually add in honorable mentions, but I wanted to include these spots for the sake of being thorough! That way you have more options when planning your trip 🙂 Ouray Ice Park: This would be such a cool sight to see, but obviously, visiting in the summer makes this attraction a no go! According to the Ouray Hot Springs website, this park is: “the first man-made ice climbing park in the world with international ice climbing”. It would for sure be a place I’d check out if I was visiting in the winter! Yankee Boy Basin: Yankee Boy Basin is an incredibly scenic alpine basin located very close to Ouray. It’s accessed by harsh and some would say dangerous roads that require 4×4 clearance, which is the reason I have never gotten to experience it! It’s definitely on my “Need to See” list, but maybe you can visit it when you are in the area! Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour: This attraction seemed like it would have been a really interesting stop! We like to tour mines when we can, we just have never had the time while in Ouray. This place has it all in terms of attractions, including the mine tour, gold panning, a farm to table meal, and even horseback riding! Check out their website to see the most current prices! Ouray Alchemist Museum: I really wish I had known about this museum when I was passing through recently! This museum offers guided tours that take you back to how the pharmacy was run in the Wild West! I definitely will check this out the next time I visit. Here is a link to the website for those of you who are interested. Ouray Brewery: I, unfortunately, can’t eat gluten, which makes eating out a real bummer. BUT, if I COULD eat whatever I want, I would definitely have checked out the Ouray Brewery! They serve award-winning craft beer, great looking food, plus they have rooftop dining! It’s located right on Main Street so check it out while you visit! So there you have it, folks! The Top Things to do in Ouray list...
Looking for a family-friendly Colorado vacation? Explore the breathtaking scenery and endless activities for kids and adults alike.
Explore the beauty of Colorado with our guide to the 7 best summer things to do in Ouray. This sweet mountain town will have you swooning.
A quick guide to spending a long weekend in the gorgeous town of Ouray, Colorado in the San Juan Mountains. Where to eat, stay and where to hot spring!
Southern Colorado is more than a destination, it's an all inclusive outdoors experience! Plan a 5-day Telluride & Silverton Colorado Camping trip hiking and r..
The Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Ouray, is a road trip everyone must experience. Read our ultimate guide to driving the driving it!
The small mountain town of Ouray is sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of America” because of its stunning scenery and awesome outdoor recreation, especially if you love snow. Ouray is located in the southwestern part of the state and has a population of just a little over a thousand people. Yet, it’s still a […]
Ouray is located in Southwest Colorado and one of the most stunning towns in the area. Check out this guide for fun things to do in Ouray.
This guide will tell you how to hike the Ouray Perimeter Trail, what you'll see along the way, and tips for enjoying the hike!
A quick guide to spending a long weekend in the gorgeous town of Ouray, Colorado in the San Juan Mountains. Where to eat, stay and where to hot spring!