Telluride–Ouray
Around Telluride–Ouray
Photo: NatalieZavaleta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Colorado · 13k people
Telluride–Ouray
Locals say San Juans · “Switzerland of America”
High peaks, hot springs, and starry nights.
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Welcome to the San Juans, where the mountains are big and the towns are small. Whether you're here for the powder, the ice, or the wildflowers, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors. Come for a visit, stay for the views.
Clubs for Telluride–Ouray
No clubs for Telluride–Ouray yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Telluride–Ouray. 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 Telluride–Ouray. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Telluride Ski Resort World-class skiing and summer activities, with a historic town below.
- Ouray Hot Springs Pool Geothermal pools with mountain views, open year-round.
- Box Canyon Falls A 285-foot waterfall in a narrow canyon, a short walk from Ouray.
- Bridal Veil Falls Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall, visible from Telluride.
- Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Historic steam train running between Durango and Silverton.
- Red Mountain Pass Dramatic mountain pass on the Million Dollar Highway.
- Outdoors Hike the Blue Lakes Trail
- Outdoors Ski Telluride's slopes
- With kids Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- With kids Swim at Ouray Hot Springs Pool
- Evenings Après-ski at Telluride's bars
- Evenings Live music at the Sheridan Opera House
- Locals love Hot springs
- Locals love Ski slopes
Through the year
- Telluride Film Festival September Prestigious film festival over Labor Day weekend, drawing cinephiles worldwide.
- Telluride Bluegrass Festival June Four days of bluegrass and roots music in Telluride Town Park.
- Ouray Ice Festival January Ice climbing competitions, clinics, and gear demos in the Ouray Ice Park.
- Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run July A brutal 100-mile ultramarathon through the San Juan Mountains starting and ending in Silverton.
- Ridgway Rendezvous August Arts and music festival in Ridgway with local and regional performers.
High alpine climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, sunny summers. Best times are summer for hiking and winter for skiing. Spring can be muddy, fall is crisp and colorful. Best: Summer (June–September) for hiking and wildflowers, winter (December–March) for skiing.
Talk like a local
- “The San Juans”
- The San Juan Mountains, the range that defines the region.
- “The Box”
- Box Canyon in Ouray, a narrow gorge with a waterfall.
- “The Ice Park”
- Ouray Ice Park, a free ice climbing venue.
- “Million Dollar Highway”
- The scenic stretch of US 550 with dramatic drop-offs.
Getaways
- Durango Historic railroad, Mesa Verde, and lively downtown.
- Montrose Gateway to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and local shops.
- Gunnison Valley Crested Butte's wildflower meadows and mountain biking.
- Pagosa Springs Hot springs and the San Juan River, a relaxing escape.
Local flavour
Rooting for Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Buffaloes
Eat and drink
- trout from the San Miguel and Uncompahgre rivers
- elk game meat, often grilled or in stews
- green chili Colorado staple, often served over burritos or smothered
- craft beer local breweries in Telluride and Ouray
- huckleberry wild berries used in pies and jams
- miner's pasty Cornish heritage from mining days
Where people go
- hot springs Ouray is famous for its geothermal pools
- ski resorts Telluride Ski Resort is a major draw
- historic mining towns Silverton and Ouray preserve the mining heritage
- alpine lakes numerous glacial lakes in the high country
- waterfalls Box Canyon Falls in Ouray, Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride
- ghost towns abandoned mining camps like Alta and Sneffels
- ice climbing parks Ouray Ice Park is a world-class venue
- scenic byways San Juan Skyway and the Million Dollar Highway
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaMontroseColoradoMountain towns, hot springs, and endless sky.DurangoColoradoWhere the San Juans touch the skyDelta CountyColoradoWhere the mountains meet the orchards.CortezColoradoWhere the desert sky meets ancient stonePagosa SpringsColoradoWarm waters, wild mountains.Gunnison ValleyColoradoThe heart of the high countryFarmingtonNew MexicoWhere the desert meets the riverGrand JunctionColoradoWhere the river meets the red rocks, and peaches taste like sunshine.
San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan counties, 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.