At a Glance
- Total Length: 236 miles
- Drive Time: Full day minimum
- Elevation: Multiple passes above 10,000 ft
- Season: Year-round (winter restrictions)
- Ouray Section: Most dramatic stretch
- Designation: National Scenic Byway
Colorado's Greatest Drive
The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile National Scenic Byway that loops through some of the most dramatic mountain terrain in North America, connecting Ouray, Silverton, Durango, Cortez, Telluride, and back to Ouray on a circuit of paved two-lane mountain highway. The route crosses multiple passes above 10,000 feet, passes through historic mining towns, and offers views of the San Juan, La Plata, and San Miguel ranges.
Ouray sits at the northern apex of the most dramatic stretch — the segment between Ouray and Durango that includes the Million Dollar Highway over Red Mountain Pass and the route through Silverton. Staying at The Lumberyard puts you at the starting line of the finest section of the drive.
Using the Skyway from Ouray
Most Ouray visitors drive the full Skyway as a one-day or two-day excursion. The classic full day goes: south to Silverton (lunch), south to Durango (fuel and browse), west to Cortez (Mesa Verde option), north to Dolores and Telluride, then east back to Ouray via the Dallas Divide. This is a long, full day — allow 12+ hours.
Breaking the Skyway into two days — one night in Telluride or Durango — is often a better strategy for first-timers who want to actually explore rather than just drive through.