Each place checked against its official site in November 2026
Hot springs
Ouray Hot Springs Pool
The city's pool with five pools from a 75 to 83 F lap pool to a 102 to 106 F adults-only Overlook Pool. The water is described as sulfur-free. Public hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with members-only time from 10 to 11. Adult admission is listed at $30.
- Best for:
- A first soak in town, in any season
- When:
- The water slides and Shallow Pool are summer only, and the Activity Pool runs as a cold plunge in winter.
- Where:
- 1220 Main Street, Ouray
Wiesbaden Vapor Cave
A geothermal vapor cave kept at 108 F in the mountainside, with a cascading spring in the first chamber and a soaking pool in the main cave. Day visitors can reserve two-hour soaks. The private Lorelei pool, which is clothing optional, needs its own reservation.
- Best for:
- Visitors who want a steam cave instead of a pool
- Where:
- 625 5th Street, Ouray
Orvis Hot Springs
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Clothing is optional for adults 18 and over, and guests 17 and under wear swimsuits. All-day soaking is $35 for adults and $12 for children 4 to 12.
- Best for:
- Adults who want a quieter soak north of town
- When:
- Pools are cleaned on a posted schedule, so check before you drive.
- Where:
- 1585 County Road 3, Ridgway
Ice and climbing
Ouray Ice Park
A free public park in the Uncompahgre Gorge with more than 150 named ice and mixed climbs across almost 2 miles. A nonprofit runs it with the City of Ouray. Guides and gear rentals are available in town.
- Best for:
- Climbers, and anyone who wants to watch ice climbing
- When:
- The park's site lists the 2025-26 season as closed and has not posted 2026-27 dates. Visit Ouray gives mid-December through mid-March as the usual season. Check ourayicepark.com/conditions.
Ouray Ice Festival
The park's annual festival, listed as the 32nd, runs January 28 to 31, 2027. Lodging fills early, and some lodges exclude those dates from promotions.
- Best for:
- Climbers who want clinics and the crowd
- When:
- January 28 to 31, 2027.
Ouray Via Ferrata
A free public via ferrata in the Uncompahgre Gorge beside the ice park, about 1.25 km long, with a downstream route for beginner to intermediate climbers and an upstream route for intermediate to advanced. You must check in with the ranger, own or rent a harness, helmet and energy-absorbing lanyard, and be at least 16 or with an adult. Guide services run trips.
- Best for:
- Adventurous visitors who want exposure with a cable to clip into
- When:
- Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, May through October, weather dependent. It is closed now and reopens in May.
Hikes and falls
Box Canyon Falls Park
A 285 foot waterfall dropping into a narrow quartzite canyon, with an easy Falls Trail, a half mile High Bridge Trail and a visitor center. A Black Swift colony typically arrives in early June and leaves around early September. Adults 18 to 62 pay $8. Dogs are not allowed.
- Best for:
- A short walk with a big payoff
- When:
- Closed November through April. Fall hours were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 2, 2026, and summer hours run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where:
- Box Canyon Road off County Road 361, Ouray
Perimeter Trail
The loop around town is about 5.7 miles with about 1,600 feet of gain and takes 3 to 5 hours. It starts across US 550 from the Visitor Center. Some rock sections are not well marked, so follow the white Perimeter Trail logos. An easier version covers 1.5 to 3 miles from the marked entry off 8th Avenue.
- Best for:
- A day on foot without a car
- When:
- Sections can be wet or icy early and late in the season.
Lower Cascade Falls
About 0.8 miles one way and 500 feet of climbing to a viewpoint, starting at the Perimeter Trail entrance across US 550 from the Visitor Center. A short connector to 8th Street lets you loop back.
- Best for:
- A short hike you can fit before dinner
- When:
- Slick when wet, with short exposed sections near the top of the falls.
Bear Creek Trail
The lower section is 2.6 miles round trip with about 850 feet of gain, starting from a signed trailhead 2.4 miles south on US 550. It has cliffside sections with some exposure. The full trail is about 8.5 miles round trip with about 2,700 feet of gain and is rated very difficult.
- Best for:
- Hikers comfortable with heights
- When:
- Snow lingers early; Visit Ouray recommends mid-summer through fall. The full trail has long exposed sections, rockfall and loose gravel.
Blaine Basin Trail
A 4.2 mile round trip with about 900 feet of gain, reached by CO 62 and County Road 7 from Ridgway, near the Blue Lakes main lot. Allow 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
- Best for:
- A moderate alpine day out of Ridgway
- When:
- Stream crossings depend on the melt season, and afternoon thunderstorms can move in fast.
Roads and jeep country
Million Dollar Highway
US 550 between Ouray and Silverton, about 25 miles over Red Mountain Pass at more than 11,000 feet. Lanes are narrow with hairpin turns, steep drop-offs and no guardrails, and campers and trucks with trailers use it often. CDOT commonly closes it for safety. Check maps.cotrip.org before you go.
- Best for:
- Drivers who want the classic San Juan road, in good weather
- When:
- Winter and spring avalanches are common, with evidence of more than 60 avalanches, and CDOT closures can happen. Check current conditions before every drive.
Yankee Boy Basin
A Class 3 four-wheel-drive route up Camp Bird Road to a peak elevation of 12,400 feet, about 1.5 hours from Ouray. Visit Ouray advises high-clearance 4WD. OHVs are not allowed inside the city, and a staging area is just south of town.
- Best for:
- High-clearance drivers or anyone booking a guided tour
- When:
- A high alpine road with no posted opening date. Visit Ouray's road conditions page was still in development, so ask a local outfitter, the Visitor Center or the Sheriff's Office.
Imogene Pass
A Class 4 route reached by following Camp Bird Road, peaking at 13,114 feet and connecting to Telluride. Telluride's guide rates it Difficult, with a steep climb to the pass, loose rock and several forks on the Ouray side, so carry a map.
- Best for:
- Experienced 4x4 drivers heading to Telluride
- When:
- There is no set opening date. Check San Miguel County road conditions before you go.
San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours
Group and private jeep tours, plus jeep rentals, booked through FareHarbor. Private tours use Jeep Gladiators and hybrid 4xe Wranglers. Visit Ouray lists several other tour and rental outfits.
- Best for:
- Visitors who want a driver on the high roads
- When:
- The site said it was open for fall tours and gave no season dates. Call 970-325-0089 about winter.
- Where:
- 920 Main Street, Ouray
Town and history
Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour
A guided tour 1,500 feet into Gold Mountain to the Syracuse Level, where it is always 52 F. Adults pay $25, seniors 60 and over $22, ages 5 to 15 $14 and ages 4 and under are free. Guided gold panning is offered, and the Miner's Cafe serves breakfast Friday to Sunday.
- Best for:
- Families and history fans
- When:
- The site says tours run 7 days a week and links a summer booking page with no dates. Call 970-325-0220 before a winter visit.
- Where:
- 95 Gold Mountain Trail, Ouray
Ouray County Museum
The county historical society's museum. Admission prices are not listed on its site.
- Best for:
- A rainy-day hour on local history
- When:
- Closed November through April. In 2026 it ran Thursday to Saturday in spring and fall and daily in summer.
- Where:
- 420 6th Avenue, Ouray
The Wright Opera House
An 1888 hall that opened December 4, 1888 and hosts live theater, concerts, films, classes and community events. Its calendar lists movies, music and a free art show reception in November. Guided history tours are by appointment.
- Best for:
- An evening out in the off season
- Where:
- 472 Main Street, Ouray
Day trips
Ridgway State Park
A reservoir park with paddling, boating, fishing and 15.6 miles of trails. It has about 282 campsites in three campgrounds and three year-round yurts. The park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a daily vehicle pass is $10 to $12 with Colorado plates or $15 to $17 out of state.
- Best for:
- Campers and paddlers staying around Ridgway
- When:
- Open year-round. The Dutch Charlie Swim Beach is closed for the season and swimming there is prohibited.
- Where:
- 28555 Highway 550, Ridgway
Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Also see where to stay in Ouray and what's on.