Overview
Ouray is a small town in Southwestern Colorado, magnificently situated in the San Juan Mountains and nicknamed "The Switzerland of America" for its scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 5 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ouray
Ouray County Historical Museum
originally St. Joseph’s Miners’ Hospital built in 1886, and experience the incredible history of this intimate mountain community. This museum offers an impressive mineral collection, Ute Indian artifacts, mine exhibits,…
Ouray Hot Springs
Box Canyon Falls
Box Canyon Falls is a 285 foot waterfall that plummets into a narrow, quartite canyon with walls overhanging the falls by nearly 100 feet. The falls are reached via a short and easy 500-foot hike.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 13°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Mar. (climate data from nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TEX Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride — 14 mi away. Directions
- MTJ Montrose Regional Airport, Montrose — 36 mi away. Directions
- COS City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs — 170 mi away (major hub). Directions
Ouray is at the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway, a famously scenic stretch of road (US highway 550) through the San Juan Mountains with its southern terminus at Silverton (Colorado) | If you're arriving from Durango, plan to take an hour and a half on the road, which has many tight hairpin turns over high passes and deep valleys and is not for the faint of heart (Million Dollar Highway from Silverton to Ouray). The northern approach on US 550 from Montrose is less dramatic. There is no air service to Ouray, but Montrose (35 miles N)& Durango (72 miles S) has commuter air service linking to Denver and other major cities.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $85–$180 a night (typical $125), from 6 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $25 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$210, comfortable ~$370.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ouray County Historical Museum, Ouray Hot Springs
- Lunch Backstreet Bistro
- Afternoon Box Canyon Falls
- Dinner Bon Ton Restaurant
- Evening Ouray Brewery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Ouray is at the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway, a famously scenic stretch of road (US highway 550) through the San Juan Mountains with its southern terminus at Silverton (Colorado) | If you're arriving from Durango, plan to take an hour and a half on the road, which has many tight hairpin turns over high passes and deep valleys and is not for the faint of heart (Million Dollar Highway from Silverton to Ouray). The northern approach on US 550 from Montrose is less dramatic. There is no air service to Ouray, but Montrose (35 miles N)& Durango (72 miles S) has commuter air service linking to Denver and other major cities.
See
See Box Canyon Falls
Box Canyon Falls is a 285 foot waterfall that plummets into a narrow, quartite canyon with walls overhanging the falls by nearly 100 feet. The falls are reached via a short and easy 500-foot hike.
See Ouray County Historical Museum
originally St. Joseph’s Miners’ Hospital built in 1886, and experience the incredible history of this intimate mountain community. This museum offers an impressive mineral collection, Ute Indian artifacts, mine exhibits, an operating suite and patient room, Victorian era displays, historical exhibits of all kinds, photographs, and books— just for starters! The museum is child-friendly with an activity finder book and exhibits for little visitors. In addition, while you’re out on foot, be sure to make time for the Historical Walking Tour. Amazingly, almost all of Ouray’s permanent buildings built between 1880 –1900 are still standing and have been skillfully restored. Visitors can experience the same spectacular beauty of towering snow capped peaks, rushing rivers, healing springs, ravenous canyons, and majestic waterfalls that once inspired so many of the valley’s earliest inhabitants.
Do
Buy
Shop AGO Gallery
Featuring Internationally and Nationally recognized artist Romagean Personne (National Museum of Women in the Arts) and a selection of Colorado's top artists.
Shop The Blue Pear
Home accessories, body care, and curiosities. Browse a microcosm of eclectic and scrumptious goods: Santos statues, candles, hand-forged scissors, throws, aprons.
Shop Buckskin Booksellers
A full-service bookstore with modern best sellers, local guidebooks & maps for hiking & 4-wheeling, Colorado history, geology, women of the west and other books. Also cards, posters, newspapers, magazines & gifts.
Shop Ivory's Trading Post
Handcrafted jewelry by artists Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Tommy Jackson, Rocki Gorman. Bronzes, paintings, handmade Navajo Rugs, Indian pottery, baskets, etc.
Shop North Moon Gallery
Fine art and craft galleries, featuring one-of-a-kind jewelry, paintings and Colorado landscape photography by Kathleen Norris Cook.
Shop Ouray Glassworks and Pottery
Watch Sam demonstrate the ancient art of glassblowing and enjoy Di's pottery made in Ouray. Made-in-Ouray artwork.
Shop Skol Studio Gallery
Skol Studio Gallery displays works of fine art by local and regional artists. Works include furniture, sculpture, paintings, and blown glass. Custom work is available by Jeff Skoloda.
Eat
Eat Backstreet Bistro
Open 365 days a year at 7AM, Full Breakfast, Bagels, Subs, Ice Cream, Pies, Cheesecakes, Pastries, Espresso, Beer, Wine, Smoothies.
Eat Bon Ton Restaurant
Upscale, casual dining experience with an Italian flair featuring fresh seafood, steaks, chops and pasta.
Eat Buen Tiempo
Southwest Mexican fare in a festive atmosphere. Ten different margaritas and microbrews on tap. Great food at great prices.
Eat Outlaw Restaurant
Best steak and seafood in the area. The Outlaw provides a Western feel and Western music to complete the experience.
Eat The Coachlight Restaurant
A family owned and operated restaurant, since 1968. Serving steaks, seafood, chicken, pasta, fish and ribs.
Drink
Sleep
Stay Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs
The Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs is where you relax and rejuvenate after a day playing in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Situated peacefully in the southwest corner of Ouray, the lodge offers extremely clean, attractively decorated rooms; from standard rooms with queen, king or two queen beds, to a beautifully designed honeymoon suite and larger two-room suites with or without kitchens and fireplaces. Guests especially enjoy the mineral springs hot tubs terraced on the mountainside, both during the daytime, with 360-degree views of the mountains, and into the evening under a blanket of stars. Revitalizing in the mineral springs is popular year-round.
Stay Christmas House Bed and Breakfast Inn
Five luxury suites with private 2 person jacuzzis, private 2 person steam saunas, private fireplaces, Queen Beds, Private Baths, Sat TV/VCR/DVD, Free Movies, Free USA Long Distance Calls, Coffeemakers, CD Stereos, Microwaves, Refrigerators, Gourmet Menu Breakfasts served at your private table at your chosen time.
Stay Spangler House B&B
A B&B located on a quiet street one block from Main Street that offers one luxurious suite and five charming guest rooms. All are individually and beautifully decorated. Each room features a unique iron bed that takes you back in time to the turn of the century. All rooms have either relaxing glider rockers or wing back chairs, private bath rooms, ceiling fans, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi and in-room coffee or tea. Breakfast features fresh ground coffee, juice, a bowl of seasonal fruit and home baked muffins or coffeecake to whet your appetite for the hot delicious main dish. Offers a front room, den or sitting room to read, work on a puzzle or just sit back and enjoy the spectacular mountain views, as well as a pellet stove, redwood deck and hot tub.
Stay Black Bear Manor B&B
This country inn is the perfect oasis for rest, relaxation and reflection. Choose one tastefully decorated room, or take all nine including suites. The Black Bear Manor is perfect for Workshops, Retreats, Wedding groups and Family Reunions to gather and celebrate on the large decks beneath the Mountain Peaks. Sit back, leave the cares of the outside world behind as you enjoy our rural Colorado countryside. You can sleep in and awaken to the smell of fresh baked goods wafting into your dreams.
- Beaumont Hotel -
Go next
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Only 1 hour north
- Ridgway State Park - Large reservoir for boating and fishing and swimming 20 minutes north of Ouray
- Silverton - Drive the Million Dollar Highway to this other scenic mining town
- Telluride - One hour scenic drive along the San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway
- Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway - Beautiful drive along the San Miguel and Dolores River passed the Hanging Flume
Nearby
Telluride
City / town · 17 listings · 10 mi away
Silverton
City / town · 11 listings · 15 mi away
Montrose
City / town · 30 listings · 33 mi away
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Park · 1 listings · 35 mi away
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Park · 5 listings · 38 mi away
Creede
City / town · 9 listings · 42 mi away
Durango
City / town · 38 listings · 53 mi away
Hotchkiss
City / town · 41 listings · 54 mi away
My experience
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