High Adventure Along Colorado s Million Dollar Highway Durango If you re looking for a multi-day trip of Jaw-dropping adventure in the Colorado mountains look no further! This guide outlays 4 days through 4 spectacular mountain towns along the magnificent section of road known as The Million Dollar Highway. Views aren t the only thing that will take your breath away, the thousand foot cliffs and narrow roads with no guardrails will have your heart racing! You re adventure begins in the Boom-Town of Durango. Surrounded by mountains and parted by the Animas River Durango is a great destination for outdoor play. Durango Whitewater Park The Animas River flows south through town and is a popular class II-III whitewater run. On the south side of town the river runs through the Durango Whitewater Park where it becomes solid class III+ action with big holes and waves full of fun. Durango Whitewater Park 107 Camino del Rio Durango, CO 81301
View of Hogback Ridge from Twin Buttes There are several different trail systems around Durango but signage has a little to be desired. Horseshoe Gulch seems to be the most popular but the Over End trail system has Star Wars, a quick steep descent down a bermed gulch of fast flowing fun-ness! Twin Buttes is right next to Over End and has some cool bridges, log rides and jumps. Lee riding the big ramp bridge at Twin Buttes John Robinette with Durango Mountain Bike Tours will make sure you have the Best Ride possible. As a local expert he can pick the right trail for your skill level and desires. He knows the trails like the back of his hand so you won t be riding the wrong way up hills or end up lost in the woods. John also provides great pictures of your ride and is partnered up with some of Durango s top picks like Ska Brewing and Zia Taqueria. If you re lucky he might have some Free Samples to pass out. Durango Mountain Bike Tours 970-749-5328 info@mountainbikedurango.com The Secret Tunnel Click HERE for 5 Reason to take a Durango Mountain Bike Tour
After a long day of adventure what better way to relax than to grab some good food and better beer! SKA BREWING is the only choice in town. With a huge variety of beer and quick and easy food you ll come back over and over. Ska Brewing Company 225 girard street durango, colorado 81303 970-247-5792 Beer to Go Awesome Food See our full review HERE Molas Lake Colorado s Most Scenic Campground This campground is just Awesome! It s peaceful, the way a campground should be, and the views are unbeatable. Each site come with a table and fire ring. Showers, firewood, paddleboats, fishing supplies and more are all available at the camp store. Molas Lake Campground 65560 HWY 550 N. Silverton, Colorado 970-387-4022 See our full review HERE
Durango Resources BLM Camping Tres Rios Field Office 29211 Highway 184 Dolores, CO 81323 (970) 882-7296 There are several small free & pay campsites in La Plata Canyon. Contact the BLM office to get up to date information. Directions: La Plata Canyon is very popular in the summer. From Durango, go 12 miles west on U.S. Highway 160. Turn north on County Rd. 124 at Hesperus (which has a convenience store/gas station and a post office, as well as a restaurant) and go 5 miles. The paved road turns to gravel at the National Forest boundary. Access to campgrounds is by 2WD gravel road, but, soon thereafter, the road becomes rugged 4WD. Water & RV Dump A water and an RV dump station are available at the Whitewater Park. Both these are FREE. Durango Whitewater Park 107 Camino del Rio Durango, CO 81301 Water is available from a spicket on the red building face the river next to the door. Showers Durango Rec Center 2700 Main Ave Durango, CO 81301 (970) 375-7300 $6 gets you a day pass Silverton The next stop on your adventure is the small town of Silverton at 9,300. The population here is just over 600. Don t let the small population fool you, Silverton is home to Big Adventure. The Alpine Loop is a trail network that crosses several mountain passes connecting small towns like Lake City, Telluride, Ouray and Silverton. The Alpine loop can be accessed by mountain bike or off-road vehicle. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad still operates connecting the two towns like it did when it opened over 125 years ago.
Don t Miss this Amazing Alpine Adventure Take a full or half day tour and explore the Alpine Loop around Silverton on an ATV, Side by Side or Jeep. You won t believe the views as you crest mountain passes on your way from one ghost town and old mill to the next. This area is rich in history as well as adventure. One of the Ghost Towns on a San Juan Backcountry Off-road Tour. Click HERE to see our full coverage of this amazing adventure San Juan Backcountry 1119 Greene St Silverton, CO 81433 (970) 387-5565
BBQ - Featured on Dinners, Drive-ins and Dives I couldn t decide on what I wanted so I went with the 3 Meat Dinner. Wow that s a ton of food. I would go with a Lite Eaters portion as you get the Amazing cornbread and one side. Order another side of cornbread if you want more! Thee Pitts Again 1157 Greene St. Silverton, CO 81433 (970) 387-5027 The Million Dollar Highway The stretch of highway from Durango to Silverton is beautiful to say the least, but the section from Silverton to Ouray is aweinspiring and will demand your full attention. With no guard rails or shoulders in some sections drivers need to adhere to the 25mph speed limit and keep their eyes on the road as 1,000 cliffs are just inches away! Waterfalls, forgotten mines and snow capped peaks are just a few of the treasures along this drive. Rock Tunnel Hot Spring bubbling along side of road
Ouray Your 3rd stop on this amazing adventure is the small town of Ouray.(pronounced Yer -A ) Known as America s Little Switzerland this quaint town is set in a storybook setting. It is surrounded by colorful mountains and waterfalls, many visible from downtown. Ouray Perimeter Hike There s no better way to see Ouray than to take this Perimeter hike around the town. There are several access points along the 6 mile loop so you can either park at the Welcome Center or one of the highlight spots, including Amphitheater Campground. Cascade Falls The Perimeter Trail gives access to the lower falls but don t get to close or you ll get soaked just from the spray!
The Baby Bathtubs This mini-gorge is a series of small pools and waterfalls making its way towards Ouray. This makes a great lunch spot. Box Canyon Falls The falls here are quite unique as they fall 285 into a narrow slot or cave like formation. Only part of the waterfall is visible as it falls through the cave but its a deafening experience. The Falls are in a Fee Area but definitely worth it. The cost is $4. The Perimeter Trail goes through a small rock tunnel before it crosses over a bridge above Box Canyon falls giving yet another fantastic view upstream through a narrow gorge. Read more about the Ouray Perimeter Hike HERE.
Amphitheater Campground This is a great campground right on the Perimeter Trail along Ouray. There is potable water and vault toilets. The campground will hold small RV s and tents. The campground only has 35 sites and sees heavy use so call for reservations. 877-444-6777 Draft Beer & Taco Bar 2 Rascals has a new location at the North end of Main st. in downtown Silverton.
Relax in Ridgeway There s no better way to end an epic adventure than to relax in the inviting natural hot springs of Ridgeway. There is a large outdoor main pool, 3 smaller outdoor pools an indoor pool and a few smaller indoor private pools. Orvis also allows tent and vehicle camping for those that wish to soak by moonlight. The hot springs close to the public at 10pm but are open to guests all night long. Orvis Hot Springs 1585 County Rd. 3, Ridgway, CO 81432 970.626.5324 Orvis Hot Springs are Clothing Optional Need to Know Information With this entire adventure taking place over 6,500 be sure to pack appropriately. It can be scorching hot while peddling and paddling in Durango and the next day it can be in the 30 s when you take the Silverton Off-road Adventure Tour at 13,000! Packing List Riding gear Paddling gear Swimsuit Hat Gloves Jacket Camping gear Cold weather sleeping bag Groceries There are two City Market locations in Durango. Buy groceries for the entire trip here. Alcohol If you want real beer, wine or liquor in Colorado you have to go to a liquor store NOT a grocery store. You can also hit up SKA BREWING and get BEER TO GO!
Temperatures by Month Itinerary Day 1 Check in Molas Lake Campground, Silverton Durango Mountain Bike Tour or Whitewater Adventure Ska Brewery Day 2 Durango Mountain Bike Tour or Whitewater Adventure Zia Taqueria Fish Tacos, quick and yummy Day 3 Check out of Molas Lake Campground Silverton Off-Road Adventure Three Pitts Again BBQ Check into Amphitheater Campground, Ouray Day 4 Ouray Perimeter Hike Orvis Hot Springs Stay at Amphitheater Campground or move camp to Orvis Hot Springs IMPORTANT The desired times to go are between Memorial Day and Labor Day as things don t open due to snow in Silverton until then (or later), check with San Juan backcountry in advance. Stay away from the 4th of July weekend! Silverton s population of 600 goes to 15,000 and the town and everything near it sells out almost a year in advance.