At a Glance
- Avg High: 65°F / 18°C
- Avg Low: 38°F / 3°C
- Aspens: Peak color mid-September
- Crowds: Dropping sharply
- 4WD Roads: Open through September
- Rates: Below peak
The San Juans in Gold
No event in the Colorado mountains rivals the aspen color change for visual drama. The San Juans, which have more aspen coverage than most other Colorado ranges, go fully golden across thousands of acres in mid-September. The contrast between the white and grey canyon walls of Ouray, the deep green of the spruce and fir forests, and the blazing gold and orange of the aspens is a combination that draws photographers, painters, and ordinary travelers from across the country.
Ouray is one of the best places in Colorado to experience the fall color, because the topography puts the aspens at multiple elevations simultaneously. From certain viewpoints, you can see gold at mid-elevation, green lower down, and grey rock above — all in a single frame.
September Is Often the Best Month
Experienced Colorado mountain travelers often name September as their preferred month, and Ouray regulars consistently agree. The crowds from July and August are gone. The 4WD roads and hiking trails are still fully open — sometimes until late October. The weather is stable and cool but not yet cold. The light is the warmest of the year.
Rates at The Lumberyard drop below the July-August peak in September. Availability opens up. Restaurants are less crowded. If you have flexibility, September in Ouray is one of the genuine travel bargains in Colorado.
Fall Activities in Ouray
Jeeping in September captures the fall color from the high passes — seeing the San Juan color change from 12,000-foot vantage points is a fundamentally different experience than seeing it from the valley floor. Hiking is excellent: the trails are dry, the temperatures are ideal for exertion, and the colors make every route more beautiful.
The hot springs transition back into their natural element in September — cooler air makes the warm water more inviting, and the pool is less crowded than summer. Fly fishing on the Uncompahgre is excellent in fall as water levels drop and fish concentrate.