America The Beautiful: Ouray, Colorado

Feb 13, 2025 | 0 comments

The picturesque mountain town of Ouray, Colorado, the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado,” is a popular destination in Southwestern Colorado. It’s ideal for those who enjoy pairing their camping trips with outdoor fun anytime of year, and especially in the wintertime.

Driving into Ouray from Silverton along the 25-mile Million Dollar Highway, it’s easy to see why Ouray has been nicknamed the “Switzerland of America.” Ouray is tucked into a box canyon at 7,800 feet in elevation. The town is framed by peaks of the San Juan Mountains that soar another 12,000 to 13,000 feet into the sky. Covered in snow at this time of year, it’s truly a winter wonderland.

Ice Climbing – one of the most popular winter activities!

One of the most popular winter activities in Ouray is ice climbing, whether you’re a novice or experienced climber. In fact, climbing enthusiasts from around the world travel to Ouray to take on the challenging ice walls and frozen waterfalls. Just outside of town, Ouray Ice Park, the largest public ice climbing park in the world, opens each December and is an ice climber’s playground.

More than 150 named ice and mixed climbs span more than two miles in the Uncompahgre Gorge, including School Room, where ice climbing lessons are oftentimes held; moderate climbs at New Funtier; and more advanced climbs at Lead Only and Between the Bridges. There’s even a Kids’ Wall for smaller and less-experienced climbers. Free for anyone to use, Ouray Ice Park is maintained by a group of volunteers who create the park each winter.

A number of local outfitters offer ice climbing lessons in Ouray Ice Park, including Mountain Trip, Moxie Mountain Guides and San Juan Mountain Guides. Or, get inspired by experienced climbers at the 29th Annual Ouray Ice Festival & Competition, slated for January 18 through 21, 2024.

Box Canyon Falls

If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, walk about a half-mile from downtown Ouray to Box Cañon Falls Park, where you will trek another 500 feet to an impressive waterfall. When the water is flowing through the gorge, thousands of gallons a minute thunder over the falls. The falls are equally impressive when winter temperatures take hold to create a frozen waterfall.

Myriad ghost towns are dotted throughout the San Juan Mountains surrounding Ouray. Some of these which were small mining towns with few residents, while others once thrived with thousands of people living within. Whatever reason was behind abandoning these towns, they make for terrific snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and even snow biking destinations.

If you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent your gear in town. You can thenset out for ghost towns accessible by car, like Camp Bird Mine (40 minutes. This was once considered one of the richest mines in the world, raking in more than $26 million in gold between 1896 and 1910. Red Mountain Town was once home to 10,000 people in its heyday in the late-1800s. Closer to town, Ironton Park and the Uncompahgre River trail boast terrific snowshoeing and cross-country skiing terrain.

Check out the Hot Springs

All of the outdoor fun can easily leave adventurers with weary muscles. Fortunately, Ouray has many natural hot springs perfect for soaking and recharging after a day of winter fun. Some hot springs belong to lodging properties, but Ouray Hot Springs Pool is open to everyone. This family-friendly, sulfur-free pool complex has five pools. Temperatures range from the 74–80°F Activity Pool to the 102–106°F Overlook Pool.

About 10 minutes further down the road is Orvis Hot Springs, a clothing-optional soaking spot in Ridgway. Water temperatures in Orvis’ 10 pools and ponds range from 65 to 112 degrees, and its natural lithium water is never heated nor treated in any way. In addition to hot springs, there’s plenty of culture and history to soak up in Ouray, too.

See finished works of art in the town’s galleries. Meet artists in maker spaces like Mountain Dog Arts and Ouray Glassworks & Pottery. Visit the Ouray Alchemist Museum, Colorado’s largest pharmacy museum, with artifacts dating back to 350 BCE. The Ouray County Historical Museum offers a terrific look at the region’s history. Down the street, the Wright Opera House has entertained locals and visitors since 1888. Today, it hosts music, movies, lectures, and classes.

However you choose to spend your time in Ouray, chances are you’ll be planning a return visit to experience more of this incredible destination, either again in the wintertime, or perhaps spring, summer, or fall or even all four!