Are There Easy Walks Or Hikes In Ouray Colorado?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Easy, hugely scenic, weirdly named, and located just outside of town, the

Baby Bathtubs Trail

is short hike with water features like small pools and waterfalls that will keep you entertained for hours in the summer and early fall.

Is Ouray Colorado worth visiting?

However,

Ouray is gorgeous and totally worth visiting any time of the year

. We first visited Ouray 6 years ago on our very first trip to Colorado and instantly, I fell in love with its quaint small town feel and how tightly it’s nestled between the mountains.

How long is the perimeter trail in Ouray CO?

Roundtrip Length:

4.4 Miles
Trailhead Elevation: 7753 Feet Total Elevation Gain: 1150 Feet Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: 523 Feet Highest Elevation: 8557 Feet

Is Ouray Colorado beautiful?

Known as the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray, Colorado is

a beautiful mountain town

surrounded by rugged canyons and the unparalleled beauty of the San Juan Mountains. Located in Southwestern Colorado, Ouray is famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities, and its historic charming downtown.

Which is better Telluride or Ouray?

As towns,

Telluride is more upscale than Ouray

. Classier restaurants, night life, etc. Ouray is still a “real town” despite its location (probably because no ski resort). Don’t miss the free gondola to Telluride Mountain Village.

Is Imogene Pass difficult?

Imogene Pass is a 17.1-mile trail connecting Telluride and Ouray. This trail is

rated as moderate and is doable in any high clearance 4×4

. The pass reaches a height of 13,114ft which is the second highest driveable pass in Colorado and the highest in the San Juan Mountain region.

What mountains surround Ouray?

Boxed in by the majestic

San Juan Mountains

, Ouray (elevation 7810 ft) sits at the bottom of a glacially carved valley. Prospectors established the town in the 1870s, but larger mining companies quickly came in and took over the gold mines, extracting over one million ounces of gold from the surrounding area.

What is there to do in Ouray in winter?

Winter Activities in Ouray’s Parks


The Ouray Ice Park is an ice climbing venue within the city limits

, just a short walk from Main Street, that attracts beginners and experts alike to its 200+ ice and mixed climbs. And our sulphur-free Ouray Hot Springs Pool is a popular spot to warm up after a day out in the snow.

What is it like living in Ouray CO?

Ouray is in Ouray County and is one of the best places to live in Colorado. Living in Ouray offers residents a

sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes

. Many young professionals and retirees live in Ouray and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Ouray are highly rated.

What elevation is Ouray?

7,792′

Where does the Ouray Perimeter Trail start?

Driving Directions from Ouray: The official beginning of the Ouray Perimeter Trail is at the

Ouray Visitor Center, 1230 Main Street (Highway 550)

. The Visitor Center is located at the north end of town along the west side of Highway 550 and shares a parking lot with the Ouray Hot Springs.

Where does the Perimeter Trail start?

Starting from

the southern end of the Bobbin Head picnic area

, you will enjoy great views of Cockle Creek from the bridge, then meander along the boardwalk through the mangroves.

How do you pronounce the name Ouray?

Is Ouray open?

Rain, snow, or shine, the Ouray Hot Springs are

open year-round

for public use. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center houses five pools, three of which are geothermally heated.

Where do you fly into for Ouray?

Directions to Ouray, Colorado

The closest airports to Ouray are

Montrose Airport (MTJ, 45 miles away; Grand Junction and Durango Airports

, regional airports that are 2-hour driving distances from Ouray.

Is there a gondola from Ouray to Telluride?

The town, at 8,750 feet, and upscale Mountain Village at 9,545 feet, are linked together by

a free gondola that runs from 7 a.m. to midnight every day

, and connects the two towns with a 13-minute ride.

Is the million dollar highway open in the winter?


The road is kept open year-round

. Summer temperatures can range from 70–90 °F highs at the ends of the highway to 50–70 °F in the mountain passes. The snow season starts in October, and snow will often close the road in winter.

Whats it like to live in Telluride?

Living in Telluride offers residents an

urban suburban mix feel

and most residents rent their homes. In Telluride there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Many young professionals live in Telluride and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Telluride are highly rated.

Where does Imogene Pass start in Ouray?

It is seven miles to Imogene Pass (at 13,114 feet, it’s a 4,350 elevation gain). If you continue east on Tomboy Road, the Town of Ouray is another ten miles down.

Start in town at the north end of Oak Street

and turn right on the dirt road (Tomboy Road).

What is the steepest mountain pass in the US?


Slumgullion Pass

is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.514m (11,530ft) above the sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in southwestern Colorado, USA. It claims the steepest grades of any fully paved and maintained road in Colorado.

Can a full size truck do Imogene Pass?


It’s definitely doable

. They take tour rigs with 1 ton pickups that have bench seating instead of a bed all the time up there. There are a few spots where you might need to make a 47 point turn but it’s doable for sure.

Why is Ouray called the Switzerland of America?

Ouray is known as the “Switzerland of America”

because of the high mountains rising on three and a half sides of town

. It sits at 7,792 feet in the heart of the San Juan Mountains off of Highway 550. The town of 1,034 people was named after Chief Ouray of the Ute Indians, a native tribe to the area.

What does the name Ouray?

The name Ouray is primarily a gender-neutral name of Native American – Ute origin that

means Arrow

.

How did Ouray get its name?

Ouray (1833–80), whose name

means “Arrow” in the Ute language

, was a leader of the Tabeguache (Uncompahgre) band of Ute Indians in Colorado during the late nineteenth century.

What state is Red Mountain Pass in?

Red Mountain Pass Location Ouray / San Juan counties,

Colorado

, U.S.
Range San Juan Mountains Coordinates 37°53′56′′N 107°42′43′′WCoordinates: 37°53′56′′N 107°42′43′′W
Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.