Montrose
Around Montrose
Photo: CMontrose · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Colorado · 44k people
Montrose
Locals say Uncompahgre Valley
Mountain towns, hot springs, and endless sky.
Deep Mountain BluePine GreenAspen Gold
Welcome to the Uncompahgre Valley, where the San Juan Mountains meet the high desert. Whether you're here for the sweet corn, the hot springs, or the endless trails, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors. Take a deep breath of that mountain air and make yourself at home.
Clubs for Montrose
No clubs for Montrose yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Montrose. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Montrose. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Dramatic steep-walled canyon with hiking, fishing, and scenic overlooks.
- Ouray Hot Springs Pool Historic geothermal pool in the 'Switzerland of America'.
- Telluride Ski Resort Famous for extreme terrain and the Telluride Film Festival.
- Telluride Historic District Victorian mining town with preserved architecture and festivals.
- Ouray Ice Park World-class ice climbing venue in a narrow canyon.
- Ridgway State Park Reservoir with boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing.
- Outdoors Hike the Black Canyon rim trails
- Outdoors Soak at Ouray Hot Springs
- With kids Ride the free Telluride gondola
- With kids Swim at Ouray Hot Springs Pool
- Evenings Listen to live music at Telluride's Sheridan Opera House
- Evenings Après-ski at Telluride Mountain Village
- Locals love Hot springs
- Locals love Ski resorts
Through the year
- Telluride Bluegrass Festival June June
- Telluride Film Festival September Labor Day weekend
- Ouray Ice Festival January January
- Montrose County Fair July-August July/August
- Olathe Sweet Corn Festival August August
The Uncompahgre Valley has a high-desert climate with four distinct seasons: cold, snowy winters; mild, blooming springs; warm, dry summers with occasional afternoon thunderstorms; and crisp, colorful autumns. Best time to be out is late spring through early fall for hiking and festivals, with winter for skiing and ice climbing. Best: late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “Ouray”
- Pronounced 'you-ray'
- “Uncompahgre”
- Pronounced 'un-cum-pah-gray'
- “The valley”
- The Uncompahgre Valley
- “San Juans”
- The San Juan Mountains
Getaways
- Grand Junction Wineries and Colorado National Monument
- Durango Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Edwards Vail ski resort and summer concerts
- Breckenridge Historic ski town with year-round activities
Local flavour
Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Olathe Sweet Corn Grown in the nearby town of Olathe, this sweet corn is a regional summer staple.
- Rocky Mountain Trout Fresh trout from local rivers and lakes, often grilled or pan-fried.
- Colorado Lamb Lamb from the Western Slope is known for its quality and is featured on many local menus.
Where people go
- Hot springs Natural geothermal pools in Ouray and Ridgway, often set against dramatic mountain backdrops.
- Ski resorts Telluride Ski Resort is a premier destination, while smaller local hills serve the community.
- Mountain passes and box canyons Dramatic geography like the Uncompahgre Gorge and passes like Red Mountain Pass define the area.
- Orchards and vineyards
Heritage and traditions
Locals are proud of the Uncompahgre Valley's blend of mining and farming heritage, set against the dramatic San Juan Mountains, with a strong sense of community and a love for the outdoors.
Say it like a local: “The Uncompahgre” — The Uncompahgre Valley or River
Festivals
- Telluride Jazz Celebration June A weekend of jazz and funk in the mountains.
- Telluride Blues & Brews Festival September Blues and craft beer at the base of the ski area.
- Telluride Mountainfilm May A documentary film festival with a focus on adventure and the environment.
- Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo June A classic Western rodeo in Montrose with mutton bustin' and barrel racing.
- Telluride Mushroom Festival August Celebrates wild mushrooms with forays, talks, and tastings.
Landmarks with a story
- Ute Indian Museum Tells the story of the Ute people, the original inhabitants of the valley.
- Telluride Historical Museum Housed in the old hospital, it covers mining and the town's history.
- Ouray County Museum Exhibits on mining, ranching, and the Ute era in a Victorian building.
- Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour Guided tours into a working gold mine with a train ride.
- Sheridan Opera House A 1913 opera house still hosting performances and films.
- Wright Opera House A restored 1888 theater with events and tours.
Food traditions
- Paonia cherry pies Cherry orchards in Paonia produce sweet cherries, and locals bake pies for summer gatherings.
- Huckleberry jam Wild huckleberries are foraged in the high country, and locals make jam and pancakes.
- Green chili A Colorado staple, made with pork and green chiles, served over burritos or with eggs.
- Bison burgers Local ranches raise bison, and burgers are a hearty meal after a day outdoors.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and jam band scene Telluride is a hub for bluegrass and jam music, with festivals and intimate venues.
- Telluride arts district Galleries and studios line the streets, featuring local and national artists.
- Ute beadwork and crafts Traditional Ute beadwork and crafts are preserved and sold at cultural events.
- Mountain folk music Folk and singer-songwriter traditions thrive in the mountain towns.
A little history
- 1881 Ute removal
- 1870s-1890s San Juan mining boom
- 1891 Ames Hydroelectric Plant
- 1882 Montrose founded
- 1933 Black Canyon National Monument
- Game day Ice climbing at the Ouray Ice Park
- Game day Telluride skiing
- Outdoors Driving the Million Dollar Highway
- Outdoors Hiking to Blue Lakes
- With kids Visiting the Ute Indian Museum
- With kids Attending the Montrose County Fair
People speak with a neutral Western American accent, but you'll hear local place names like 'the San Juans' and 'the Uncompahgre'. They often say 'high country' for the mountains and 'mud season' for spring.
Only here
- The Ouray Ice Park is the world's first artificial ice climbing park.
- The Ames Hydroelectric Plant was the first commercial AC power plant.
- The Million Dollar Highway offers some of the most dramatic mountain driving in the US.
- The Hanging Flume, a historic water flume, clings to canyon walls near Uravan.
New here? A few tips
- Drink plenty of water to acclimate to the altitude (around 5,000-9,000 feet).
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes; pack layers even in summer.
- Learn to say 'Uncompahgre' (un-kum-PAH-gray) and 'Ouray' (YOU-ray).
- Try the sweet corn in August and the cherries from Paonia.
- Take the free gondola in Telluride for the best views.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaDelta CountyColoradoWhere the mountains meet the orchards.Telluride–OurayColoradoHigh peaks, hot springs, and starry nights.Gunnison ValleyColoradoThe heart of the high countryGrand JunctionColoradoWhere the river meets the red rocks, and peaches taste like sunshine.RifleColoradoWhere the mountains meet the river.DurangoColoradoWhere the San Juans touch the skyEdwardsColoradoWhere the peaks meet your soul.BreckenridgeColoradoWhere the peaks touch the sky and the town feels like home.
Montrose, CO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.