28 guides covering ouray attractions — written for guests staying at The Lumberyard Condos, two blocks from the Ouray Ice Park.
- Ouray Hot Springs PoolA natural geothermal pool cradled in a box canyon — the perfect end to a day in the San Juan Mountains.
- Box Canyon Falls, OurayCanyon Creek thunders through a 20-foot-wide slot canyon, dropping 285 feet in a deafening cascade you can walk right up to.
- Ouray Ice ParkThe world's first artificially augmented public ice climbing park draws climbers from every continent to a narrow gorge just south of downtown.
- The Million Dollar HighwayUS-550 south of Ouray is 25 miles of hairpin turns, no guardrails, and views that stop traffic — literally one of the most photographed roads in America.
- The Alpine LoopSixty-five miles of high-alpine four-wheel-drive track connecting three historic mining towns across some of the most rugged terrain in the lower 48.
- Ouray Perimeter TrailA 6-mile loop that climbs the canyon walls above Ouray and looks straight down into the Switzerland of America from every angle.
- Cascade Falls, OurayA family-friendly one-mile trail north of downtown leads to a 110-foot waterfall framed by spruce forest and canyon walls.
- Bear Creek Trail, OurayOne of Ouray's most dramatic trails follows Bear Creek through a steep gorge with multiple waterfalls, ending at the ruins of the Yellow Jacket Mine.
- Ouray Amphitheater CampgroundPerched on a natural rock amphitheater above Ouray, this city-run campground offers canyon-rim sites that are among the most scenic in Colorado.
- Yankee Boy BasinA high-alpine bowl above Ouray that explodes with wildflowers in late July — accessible by 4WD road and famous as one of Colorado's most photographed mountain landscapes.
- Portland Trail, OurayA moderate out-and-back trail that climbs from the canyon floor to the ruins of the Portland Mine, with big views of the Amphitheater cliffs along the way.
- Upper Cascade Falls, OurayBeyond the lower falls, the Cascade Trail continues into wilder terrain, climbing to an upper waterfall that most visitors never reach.
- Ouray County MuseumHoused in a historic hospital building from 1887, the Ouray County Museum traces the town's mining boom through artifacts, photographs, and reconstructed period rooms.
- The Beaumont Hotel, OurayBuilt in 1887 and restored to its Victorian grandeur, the Beaumont Hotel is Ouray's most iconic building — a must-visit for its bar, architecture, and history.
- Ouray Victorian InnOne of Ouray's most visited inns, the Victorian Inn anchors the north end of Main Street — and The Lumberyard Condos are just a short walk away for groups wanting more space.
- The Ouray Water WheelA restored wooden water wheel on the banks of the Uncompahgre River, one of the most photographed roadside stops on the drive south from Ouray toward Silverton.
- Baby Bathtubs, OuraySmooth granite pools carved by centuries of river flow make the Uncompahgre south of Ouray a favorite summer wading and sunbathing spot.
- Weehawken Trail, OurayA short, steep, and dramatic trail that puts you on a narrow cliff ledge 500 feet directly above Ouray — the best bird's-eye view in town.
- Ouray Swimming HoleA tree-shaded bend in the Uncompahgre River just north of town where locals and visitors wade, swim, and cool off on summer afternoons.
- Ouray Christmas LightsEach holiday season the citizens of Ouray drape the Victorian storefronts and canyon cliffs in thousands of lights — creating one of Colorado's most magical small-town winter scenes.
- Ouray 4th of July FireworksFireworks fired from the canyon walls above Ouray explode at eye level with the surrounding peaks — an experience that makes city fireworks shows seem flat in comparison.
- Ouray Music FestivalSummer in Ouray means live music drifting through the canyon on warm evenings — from bluegrass on the park lawn to chamber concerts in the historic opera house.
- Hang Gliding & Paragliding Near OurayThe thermal columns rising from the Ouray box canyon create exceptional conditions for hang gliding and paragliding — with a bird's-eye view of the Switzerland of America below.
- Mountain Biking in and Around OurayFrom casual paved routes along the Uncompahgre to technical alpine singletrack on the canyon rim, Ouray offers mountain biking at every skill level.
- Via Ferrata in OurayFixed iron rungs, cables, and ladders bolted directly into the canyon walls allow non-technical climbers to access vertical terrain that would otherwise require ropes and training.
- Fishing the Uncompahgre River at OurayThe Uncompahgre flows directly through Ouray — a freestone mountain river holding cutthroat and brown trout in clear, cold water beneath canyon walls.
- Horseback Riding Near OurayGuided horseback trail rides operate from ranches and outfitters near Ouray, putting riders into alpine meadows and historic mine country on horseback.
- Scenic Drives from Ouray, ColoradoOuray sits at the intersection of some of the most dramatic driving roads in the American West — within an hour you can be on a 13,000-foot pass or in a red-rock canyon.