Attractions

Whether you call it hiking, trekking, going on a walkabout or rambling, putting your feet into motion and heading into the hills is a wonderful way to experience Ouray. Many of the trails begin in the foothills around town. All of these trails provide you with postcard perfect backdrops and awe-inspiring views. There is nothing quite like discovering tiny tundra blossoms clinging to the bottom of a rock or unearthing a quartz crystal or even gold in quartz in the trailings of an old mine. The Ouray Trails Group a local non-profit, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, has developed and maintains over 76 spectacular hiking trails in the area. The region provides trails for all experience levels, ranging from easy, shorter hikes to longer and more challenging ones. 

For more information about hiking around Ouray

The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is nestled within a narrow valley surrounded by 13,000 foot snowcapped peaks.  Off the beaten path from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, one can find immediate peace among the towering mountains we call home.

In operation since 1927, the Ouray Hot Springs is a 750,000 gallon sulfur free mineral pool open year round.  From busy energetic summers, to calm and relaxing winters, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is an affordable option for families looking to have fun without spending an arm and a leg.

The professional and friendly staff is dedicated to creating a safe and memorable experience.

Unwind at the Ouray Hot Springs, you won't be disappointed!

When you're staying in Ouray during any of its magnificent seasons, there's always a variety of great dining experiences available. Whatever you're craving, from burritos to beef Wellington-- our local restaurants aim to please. Check them out here.

For Ouray County Restaurant Inspection Reports from Montrose County Health & Human Services, click here.

For a complete list of restaurants, click here.

Add some glamour and luxury to your mountain visit! There are several salon/spa's in Ouray where you can get a massage, facial or a haircut.  Salon Envy is a full service salon, specializing in hair, make-up and bridal parties. Manicures, Pedicures and Nail enhancements. Elevate Day Spa specializes in massages and customized facial treatments using non-invasive modalities and Sanitas Skincare line. The Beaumont Hotel has a spa and offers massages, pedicure, manicures and private hot tub and sauna. 

Massage Therapist in Ouray:

ViaSana Massage and Bodywork Studio

Elevate Wellness Spa

Sage Spa at Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs

The Spa at The Beaumont Hotel

Ouray Hot Springs Massage

Hair Salons in Ouray:

Salon Envy

Ouray is ranked as one of the most popular locations for ice climbing in the world. Not only do the surrounding mountains provide numerous spectacular ice-climbing routes, Ouray has the only ice park where over a mile of farmed ice is available to climbers right in the city limits, easily accessible and free to all who enjoy this exciting sport. With the accessibility of the Ouray Ice Park, more Ouray visitors are walking to the park and watching the climbers from the bridges and also from the stands built for this purpose along the top of the Uncompahgre Gorge. Climbers are usually in the park throughout the day but typically start early.

For more information on Ice Climbing

Book San Juan Mountain Guides Here

The San Juan mountains are known for their deep powder, extreme terrain and varied levels of adventurous trails. Whether you're interested in skiing high mountain areas accessible only by helicopter, enjoying fresh powdery slopes of new snow, or just wanting to learn on the beginner slopes, Ouray is your gateway to it all. Telluride Ski Resort offers exciting runs for skiers of all levels. With over 2,000 skiable acres, 125 trails, and 18 lifts you'll find the adventure you're looking for. 

For advanced and expert skiers, make a reservation at Silverton Mountain, where a single lift deposits you at the top of 1,819 skiable, un-groomed acres of deep powder snow and extreme terrain that you can traverse alone or with a guide. 

For extreme skiers, Backcountry Skiing in the San Juans will give you the thrill of a lifetime. 

For a much milder ride, that the whole family will enjoy; hit Ouray's own ski hill; Lee's Ski Hill (it even has a free towrope) or take a ride down the nearby sledding hill. 

Ouray County offers something for every history buff, from easy access to ghost towns, to scenic ranches and world-class museums. Prior to the mining era of the 1860s-1950s, Ouray was Ute Indian Country. As mining grew, so did the ranching and railroad industries that supported it. Today, Ouray County celebrates its unique Western heritage with museums dedicated to mining, railroading, ranching and the Utes, as well as private collections and a beautiful historic fairgrounds that hosts the annual Labor Day Ouray County Fair & Rodeo.

For more information click here.

Box Cañon Falls, Ouray's own wonder of the world, is the culmination of Canyon Creek narrowing and spilling thousands of gallons a minute of water over the falls. At this most spectacular geological formation, the 285 foot waterfall plummets into a narrow quartzite canyon. The narrow rock walls tower over the falls by nearly 100 feet! 

For more information click here.

Year-round opportunities to experience and participate in arts events await visitors to the Ouray area. A wide selection of arts events, along with the numerous art galleries lining Main Street, are increasingly bringing people to our unique and beautiful mountain town.

Ouray County Performing Arts Guild offers opportunities to hear live music ranging from free summer concerts in the city park to performances by world-class classical chamber musicians. From ballet to African dance, from Shakespeare to contemporary poetry, OCPAG continues to expand its palette of arts offerings for the community. Its popular Salon Series allows participants to get "up close and personal" with arts performers in private homes while enjoying gourmet meals. The Ouray County Chorus and Ouray County Players also practice and perform locally.

Weehawken Creative Arts provides high quality arts and cultural education for both the community and visitors. A selection of classes is offered year round in the fields of photography, fine arts, horticulture, fiber arts, children's classes, creative writing, culinary arts, craftsman arts and performing arts.

Ouray County Arts Association sponsors two major art shows each year. Alpine Artists' Holiday, a juried show held each summer, is one of the oldest art shows in Colorado. The Winter Art and Craft Fest, a non-juried show, features local and area artists.

Ouray County Historical Museum administers the Ouray Museum, which offers visitors a chance to experience the former mining town's exciting past through its memorable and well-mounted displays. The Museum also sponsors a series of historical lectures on wide-ranging topics as well as annual quilt and photography shows.

Experienced riders and inexperienced first-time riders all have an opportunity to enjoy Ouray's mountains on horseback. Both the San Juan Mountains and adjacent Cimarron Mountains have back-country trails that offer spectacular scenery. Custom rides and group rides are all available on well-trained horses familiar with mountain terrain.

Check out Action Adventure Trails Rides for a horseback ride you won't forget! 

For all the quietude of Ouray, there’s a whole lot of exhilaration here, too. These tranquil alpine lakes and meandering streams give way to fast-moving waters in a heartbeat. Kayakers, rafters and canoeists, see the adventure in the white-caps of the area’s rushing rivers. Book a raft trip down the rapid-filled Gunnison River Gorge and marvel at the pristine wilderness, world-class fishing and stunning geology. Spend a lazy day tubing down the mellow waters of the Uncompahgre River from Ridgway to the State Park. Rent a boat on Ridgway Reservoir so the kids can waterski or tube in the shadow of Mount Sneffels and the Cimarron Range. Or, take it easy by enjoying a quiet summer sunset on the lake on a paddleboard. The healing waters around Ouray certainly extend far beyond the famous hot springs.

For more information about water fun please contact one of Ouray's local guide companies, you can find their information here.

The City of Ouray has several parks in town that visitors and locals can use. 
 

For more information click here.

Ouray is blessed to be the home of many outstanding artists, craftsmen and innovative shop owners. Inspired by the majestic mountains and unparalleled scenery surrounding Ouray, painters, stained glass craftsmen, woodworkers, silversmiths, photographers and other artists of all mediums create magnificent and unique works of art. Unlike the sameness of items found at your neighborhood mall chain stores, shops in Ouray offer distinctive and exclusive gifts. Strolling through our shops and galleries, you’ll find high-quality items that could never be found elsewhere.

For a list of local shops, click here.

Although Ouray is known for ice-climbing in the winter, the warmer months offer many uncrowded rocky adventures in the San Juan Mountains. The mountains surrounding Ouray are home to some of the finest alpine mountaineering and rock climbing routes in all of Colorado, some of it right in town! The San Juans also boast the highest concentration of 14'ers (14,000-foot peaks) in the state of Colorado, and many of our 13,000-foot peaks are equally spectacular. A summit photo from the top of Mount Sneffels, Uncompahgre or Vestal Peak is a treasured souvenir and reminder of the adventure, good company and incredible beauty of our mountains.

If you’ve never thought a climbing adventure is for you, we hope that you reconsider. Check in with one of our local guide services and let them teach you the ropes and advise you on the best conditions. If you’ve already caught the climbing bug and need more resources, check in with our bookstore and outdoor shops for the latest editions of the local maps and guidebooks.

When you’re packing for Ouray, don’t forget your bike!

Road cyclists across Colorado already know of the challenge and beauty that waits for you on our scenic mountain passes and county roads. Wide, gentle valleys give way to switchbacks and high summits with new views and fast descents on the other side. Dirt county roads offer less-traveled scenic alternatives for nubbier tires and often come with the added benefit of bucolic ranches with cows, sheep, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, llamas and even yaks! 

Cradled by an amphitheater on the east, the majesty of Mt. Abrams and Red Mountain Pass to the south and Box Cañon Falls to the west, Ouray has many watery treasures. Sparkling rivers, glittering streams and shimmering alpine lakes wink at you as soon as you arrive in Ouray and beckon you to play. Most every trail or Jeep road you follow will lead you to a crystal clear body of water, and waterfalls abound almost everywhere you look during the snowmelt season in June.

Set aside some time to play in our beautiful waters; our local guides are always ready to show you their favorite secret falls and fishing holes and always have the best tips on water levels and hatches.