At a Glance
- Distance: 25 miles to Silverton
- Elevation Gain: ~3,000 ft
- Best Season: June–Oct
- Passes: Red Mountain, Molas
What Makes It a Million-Dollar Drive
The name is disputed — some say it refers to the gold ore value of the roadbed fill, others to early construction costs. Either way, the highway earns its reputation from the moment you leave Ouray heading south on US-550.
Within two miles the road clings to sheer cliff faces with vertical drops of hundreds of feet. There are no guardrails on the most dramatic sections — local drivers treat this as normal, but first-time visitors often stop in the pullouts just to steady their nerves.
Red Mountain Pass and the Old Mine Country
The route climbs over Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet, surrounded by rust-colored peaks stained by iron oxide from centuries of mineralization. The ruins of old processing mills and mine shafts dot the hillsides — the area produced millions in silver and gold during the late 1800s.
Silverton, the southern terminus, is a National Historic Landmark town worth exploring for an hour or a full day. The drive back north toward Ouray is equally dramatic — the views actually differ significantly depending on direction of travel.
Planning Your Drive from Ouray
Allow two to three hours round-trip if you stop at pullouts; a full day if you explore Silverton. The road is open year-round but can close for avalanche control in winter — check CDOT's website before heading out in January or February.
The Lumberyard Condos are at the north end of town, about a mile from where US-550 begins its southward climb. Most guests fit the drive into a morning, then return for a soak at the hot springs. Book direct at ouraycondos.com.