"America's Little Switzerland" Top 5 Page for this destination Ouray by goingsolo

Ouray Travel Guide: 66 reviews and 98 photos

The town of Ouray is located at the base of the San Juan mountains which appear in the photo. It began as a mining town in the19th century. Hwy 550, the million dollar highway, runs through Red Mountain Pass which connects Ouray to the once mining towns of Ironton and Silverton.
Ouray is referred to as Little Switzerland due to the mountains and its turn of the century architecture. The entire downtown is registered as a National Historic District. It is also known for the over 300 hotsprings in the area, ice climbing in Box Canyon Falls and parkas well as biking and hiking.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Charming small town rich in history and nestled at the base of the mountains
  • Cons:An out of the way location
  • In a nutshell:A great place to stop or at least drive through
  • Last visit to Ouray: Nov 2003
  • Intro Updated Oct 12, 2004
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Reviews (41)

Comments (6)

  • Jul 2, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    Closed

  • basstbn's Profile Photo
    Feb 13, 2006 at 10:15 AM

    Lots of helpful information. Thanks. May be headed there this summer.

  • Siddha3th's Profile Photo
    May 5, 2005 at 8:41 AM

    Unique, as always. All the very best to you L., as you go swinging along onto your next adventure :) "The only people for me, are the mad ones..."

  • Jan 24, 2005 at 9:01 AM

    nice Ouray page.... i had a great time here!!! :-)

  • Easty's Profile Photo
    Jun 14, 2004 at 7:43 PM

    Excellent Ouray page!!! Lots of great detailed information. I remember this town from a trip we took when I was 9 years old. I was in nearby Silverton 2 weeks ago.

  • MarvintheMartian's Profile Photo
    Apr 25, 2004 at 8:47 AM

    Wow - Red Mountain Pass and Box Canyon look fantastic.

goingsolo

“"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life."”

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