Embedded Files
OFFLINE MAPS
OFFLINE MAPS
Before going on a remote hike or drive, please download offline maps! Get COTREX, the official Colorado mapping app, which labels trails and roads not on Google Maps.
Once installed, tap the downward arrow on the bottom right to download map tiles.
BE PREPARED
BE PREPARED
Remember that afternoon lightning storms hit usually around 2 pm but can be earlier. Return below treeline by then. Use OpenSnow for mountain weather & don't fully trust the forecast. There may not be cell reception. Know the signs of altitude sickness. Set a turnaround time. See SURVIVING THE MOUNTAINS for more info
Activity packing checklist:
Comfortable athletic clothing
Athletic shoes
Sun screen/ sun hoodie & bug spray
Hat & sunglasses
Rain jacket
Midlayer as appropriate
Water
Snacks
Headlamp (emergency)
Chapstick (dry air)
Basic medications (ibuprofen, tums, imodium, etc)
A bag to hold the above
See WHAT TO BRING for other stuff you should have on the trip
OURAY
OURAY
OURAY VIA FERRATA
OURAY VIA FERRATA
Please see the VIA FERRATA INFO page for more details
CAMP BIRD ROAD
CAMP BIRD ROAD
A scenic dirt road from Ouray with some of the richest mining history in the state. Note that due to rockfall, this road was closed at the 3.5 mile marker as of May 2025.
If it is reopened, the road as shown ends at camp bird mine, taking a left fork. You can continue onto Yankee Boy Basin road on the right fork, but note you should have a 4WD/AWD to do this, along with some off-roading experience.
OURAY HOT SPRINGS
OURAY HOT SPRINGS
Natural hot springs: link for more info. Note that Ouray is much warmer than Silverton, so check the weather first.
OURAY BREWERY
OURAY BREWERY
Nice rooftop where you can watch the jeeps roll along main street.
BOX CANYON FALLS
BOX CANYON FALLS
Spectacular falls in a narrow gorge, short 500 foot walk. There is an upper and lower falls. $6-7 entry fee: link
SILVER MINE TOUR
SILVER MINE TOUR
Get a tour of the Bachelor Syracus Mine, $18-22. Link for more info. Don't miss the Gold Mine tour near Silverton below as well.
HIKING
HIKING
Unfortunately there are not a ton of remote spectacular hikes or drives nearby. For more of that, look to Silverton area activities.
Some good Ouray hiking opportunities include:
There are more spectacular hikes at the end of Yankee Boy Basin road but these are not recommended without a Jeep.
OTHER ACTIVITIES & MAP
OTHER ACTIVITIES & MAP
For all other activities & POI (including those mentioned above), see the map below. Click the icon in the upper left to see the categories. Tap an item to see our guide/description. Hit the 4 corners box on the upper right to open in Google Maps app.
NEARBY
NEARBY
These have been curated for you. Most of these can make great Sunday morning activities. Note most of these are more remote so downloading maps with COTREX is recommended.
SILVERTON TOWN
SILVERTON TOWN
See THE TOWN for more info.
GOLD MINE TOUR
GOLD MINE TOUR
The Old Hundred Gold Mine is between Eureka Lodge and Silverton. $30 tickets, check it out! No reservations needed, just show up to the mine.
EASY SEDAN-FRIENDLY ROADS
EASY SEDAN-FRIENDLY ROADS
STATE HIGHWAY 110
STATE HIGHWAY 110
This is the 2nd dirt road coming right out of Silverton, this one going straight north. It's a scenic drive through a narrow valley, passing by Silverton Mountain Ski Area, several abandoned mines, and ghost town. Note there is a lot of private property surrounding this road. Keep going straight onto County Road 10 for an easy extra scenic drive on a wide shelf road, or turn onto Velocity Basin for a pretty lake and Minehaha Basin for sweeping high altitude views. Note these are all 4WD/AWD & high clearance extensions
SOUTH MINERAL
SOUTH MINERAL
Another road leaving Silverton, this one straight west. It's easy for the first 4.5 miles, after which requires a Jeep (not even a Subaru would make it).
MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY
MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY
Drive to Ouray, this in itself is a destination drive. Pass by ghost towns, mines, and a sketchy shelf road.
4WD/AWD & HIGH CLEARANCE ROADS
4WD/AWD & HIGH CLEARANCE ROADS
Some of these have been graded out of 3 in terms of challenge by Mo, but note all are rated as "Easy" in Trails Offroad. All would be doable in a Subaru as a minimum, but 3/3 may require a more skilled driver. Note sagging suspension - a Subaru with 2 passengers will do well but fully loaded with 5 would scrape.
Remember - you are responsible for your own safety! Don't push what you're comfortable with. Air down your tires if you have a pump to air back up, and if it's a rental your tires probably suck. Very possible to get a flat tire
VELOCITY BASIN (2/3) ⭐ - RECOMMENDED
VELOCITY BASIN (2/3) ⭐ - RECOMMENDED
Drive right up to a beautiful alpine lake. Hiking opportunity from here on the South Fork trail, or just have a casual walk around the lake
MINEHAHA BASIN (3/3)
MINEHAHA BASIN (3/3)
Absolutely gorgeous and sweeping views, climbing to over 12k feet. Recommended to air down tires; at the moderately steep grade and this altitude, be aware that your car may have trouble climbing due to lack of oxygen especially if it's got more than 2 passengers.
Passes by a high altitude neighborhood and mine ruins, including Lead Carbonate MIll and Galena Queen Mine
COUNTY ROAD 10 (1/3)
COUNTY ROAD 10 (1/3)
Continue straight from State Highway 110 after the water treatment plant. Climbs uphill from here on an easy graded wide shelf road.
COUNTY ROAD 2
COUNTY ROAD 2
This is the road Eureka Lodge is on. It's sedan friendly until the lodge. Keep going north and it becomes more challenging. You can't loop it without a Jeep, must do out & back.
CUNNINGHAM GULCH (1/3 -> 2/3)
CUNNINGHAM GULCH (1/3 -> 2/3)
This is a more popular road which leads to many hiking opportunities like the Highland Mary Lake trail. Near Eureka Lodge.
OTHER ROADS:
OTHER ROADS:
See the map below for 3 other gulches, all accessed near Eureka Lodge. There are several hiking opportunities at the end of Minnie & Maggie gulches that enter the national forest including access to the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), not listed on AllTrails. Use COTREX for the map.
Minnie Gulch - Not high traffic. Fairly narrow, with a side road to see Kitticat Mine
Maggie Gulch - This one climbs much higher than Minnie Gulch with possibly better hiking
Eureka Gulch - Climbs to a dry lakebed, to the collapse & drainage of Lake Emma, one of the most disastrous mining accidents ever to happen. There are remains along the route. Plenty of passing sections, but includes a narrow shelf road
HIKING
HIKING
Most hikes will require a 4WD/AWD car via one of the above listed roads to access. Remember to return below treeline by about 2pm to avoid getting struck by lightning.
MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY SOUTH
MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY SOUTH
There are tons of easy short trails right off the highway just south of Silverton.
Lakes just off the highway, don't even need to hike
Little Molas Lake
More challenging hikes:
A bright blue high alpine lake, access from the Million Dollar Highway. A hidden gem, overshadowed by the more popular ice lake.
A bit too long but listing due to popularity. Another bright blue lake. Can also access Fuller lake from this trail to make it extra long, if you want. Accessed from the South Mineral road.
Like a domestic version of the "Rainbow Mountain" in Peru. This link is for the upper trailhead which requires a high clearance vehicle. Lower trailhead will add a mile. Also off the Million Dollar Highway
Another beautiful high alpine lake. Accessible from the Cunningham Gulch road, so can serve double duty seeing a pretty road. Enters the Weminuche Wilderness. Note the linked AllTrails only goes to the main lake, but if you keep going there are more!
OTHER HIKING
OTHER HIKING
As mentioned, there are trails at the end of Minnie & Maggie Gulch. Additionally there is a trail at Velocity Basin. Use COTREX, these trails won't show on Google Maps.
MAP
MAP
This map includes everything listed above and other POI for Silverton Town. Click the icon in the upper left to see the categories. Tap an item to see our guide/description. Hit the 4 corners box on the upper right to open in Google Maps app.
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