The Tiny Mountain Town at the End of the Million Dollar Highway

With mountains on three sides and a walkable Main Street characterized by European-inspired architecture, Ouray, Colorado almost doesn’t look real. This Hallmark-movie town could nearly pass for a snow globe. In recent years, it’s garnered international attention as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with hiking trails, offroading routes, and via ferratas accessible right from town. But when the snow starts falling it’s just as beautiful, with just as many adventures to be had. And, it’s a lot quieter.

The city boasts the world’s largest man-made, public ice climbing park, as well as a selection of guide services ready to help new climbers navigate it safely. Near town, there’s also snowshoeing and nordic skiing trails for those who like to keep their feet on the ground. However if bliss, culture, and relaxation is more your speed, Ouray still has much to offer. It’s also home to a handful of naturally fed hot springs, local businesses offering high-end wellness treatments, and a wide array of local restaurants, shops, and lodging options suitable for all tastes.

Whether you’re flying in for a weekend or zipping down from Denver, you can pack plenty of activities into two days in Ouray. And, if you’ve got the right winter jacket, you can probably walk to many of them from your hotel- which, as a bonus, may offer a big winter discount.

5 hours, 30 minutes from Denver

With plenty of snow days and stunning views on all sides, Ouray is a great place to get outdoors in the winter. Guests can access multiple cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails from town, and right on Main Street Ouray Mountain Sports offers gear rentals to make getting out there easy.

Just north of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, The North Corridor trail is a relatively flat, two-mile Nordic ski loop close to town that follows along the Uncompahgre River. South of Ouray, the Ironton Park Cross Country Ski Area provides several miles of beginner and intermediate trails that wind through a historic mining ghost town. The area is just around 10 miles south of Ouray on Highway 550, but be aware this winding road can be a tricky drive in inclement weather and a downright terrifying one for anyone with a fear of heights.

Both these areas also provide great views and exercise for snowshoers, and for dogs who can handle a little chill.

If you’re a seasoned ice climber, Ouray may be your Winter Wonderland. If, like perhaps most people, you’ve never stepped into crampons, it’s the perfect place to learn.
Nestled in the Uncompahgre Gorge on the edge of town, the Ouray Ice Park is the largest of its kind in the world—and it's free, if you have your own gear and the right knowledge.

The park is generally open from mid-December to late March, weather dependent, and offers around three miles of climbable vertical terrain. Some routes are served by fixed anchors, while others are lead-only, and there are climbs suitable for all skill levels and even kids. Outside of the park, Ouray boasts multiple backcountry ice climbing hot spots, which are also guided by local companies.

As intimidating as the sport might seem, there’s plenty of nearby services to offer instruction and gear rentals, and getting on the wall can truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience—or maybe a new hobby. Based right in town, Basecamp Ouray, San Juan Mountain Guides, Mountain Trip, and Cirque all offer different group and private guiding options, and some rent gear to the public as well.

If you’re just looking to watch, or your crew has a healthy fear of heights, there are plenty of viewing areas atop the gorge that welcome non-climbers and furry friends on a leash.

If you still have Christmas shopping left to do, you can check off everyone on your nice list in Ouray. You can see the bottom of Main Street from the top of it, and it’s easy to kill half a day just popping in and out of local shops and bars. We couldn’t possibly name all of them, so you’ll have to see for yourself. If you’re looking for unique dubs to fit the “Rhinestone Cowboy” aesthetic, pop over to Rockin P Ranch. The Blue Pear promises a more modern, curated collection of fragrances, candles, accessories and more, while Chief Ouray Trading Post has all sorts of Native American-made goods from jewelry to art and blankets. Some shops welcome your pups, while others will ask that you leave them outside while you browse.

At the bottom of Main Street, the whole family can hang out at Fellin Park, which boasts a playground, baseball field, skatepark, and plenty of space to hang out and have a picnic. As a bonus, the koi pond at the park’s northern tip beside the hot springs is a great spot for a family picture to end your stroll. Nearby, the Ouray Dog Park has lots of fun obstacles for your pets to enjoy, while you enjoy views of the mountains.

Whether you’re looking to relax after a day of adventure, or you’re just looking to relax, nothing hits like a top-notch beauty treatment or a good soak in one of Ouray’s naturally fed hot springs. You’ll likely need a pet sitter for these activities, though some hot springs resorts (check out our lodging recommendations) welcome your furry friends in the rooms and certain areas.

If you’re looking for solitude, the Wiesbaden's underground vapor cave provides an intimate soaking experience in waters the Ute Indians once looked to for healing properties. Above ground, the hotel and spa’s outdoor hot spring pool provides a scenic and social experience, while the even-more-secluded Lorelei tub can be accessed by reservation only.

Perhaps the most well-known in town, the Ouray Hot Springs Pool is run by the city and perfect for families, with outdoor pools ranging in temperature to choose from.

For coffee or breakfast: Erin and Trevor Lotta have owned Artisan Bakery and Cafe for nearly 20 years. They offer coffee, pastries, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches named after guests who have frequented the establishment over the years. Specialty breads, pastries, and quiches are constantly changing, and they’re so good Artisan sells them wholesale around the region. Most are baked European-style, with hard crusts, no preservatives and little sweetener.

Just a few blocks away, 1886 Coffee on Main Street within the luxurious Beaumont has a selection of espresso drinks, specialty brews, seasonal flavors, teas and even cocktails that can be sipped to-go or enjoyed in a cozy sitting room.

For a midday bite: If all your adventuring leaves you craving some red meat, Maggie’s Kitchen is a great place to grab a big old hamburger with all the fixings. We’re talking mushrooms, onions, serrano, green chiles, lots of cheese, and more. You can opt for elk, beef, or even bean burgers, and feel free to take your meal outside to the shop's covered porch. As a bonus, Maggie’s shares a building and porch with Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing, which brews up the perfect beer to accompany your burger. Hutch, the grump owner and brewer in question, makes all the nano-batches of beer himself, grinding the grain by hand and stirring the mash with a broken kayak paddle. Or so he says.

For something special, stop by the Ouray Meat and Cheese Market around 11:30 am and hope for the best. The shop makes one kind of specialty sandwich per day that you can carry out, like pulled pork or brisket, and when they sell out, they’re gone. But, it’s also a great place to grab some charcuterie to bring back to the hotel room and enjoy with a local wine.

For dinner: Dimmed lights and wood paneling set the mood at the intimate Brickhouse 737, which also boasts a handful of outdoor tables when the weather allows. It’s best to make a reservation for this high-end joint, which specializes in contemporary cuisine featuring fresh and local ingredients. There really isn’t anything bad on the menu, which often includes some delectable specials, but elk bolognese, fried brussels sprouts and braised short rib are a few dishes you can’t go wrong with.

For something a little less fancy, but still totally classy, Goldbelt Bar and Grill offers indoor and outdoor seating, craft cocktails and designer pizzas you can share with the whole table.

For a sweet treat: Whether cookies, truffles, ice cream or something else is your sweet treat of choice, Mouse’s Chocolates and Coffee has you covered. The shop boasts all kinds of confections, from chocolate-covered strawberries and nut clusters to themed and seasonal treats. Scrap cookies, one of their best creations, combine them, as the bakers simply toss the truffle scraps into the batter and produce a unique cookie every time.

All over town, guests can find Brown Chicken Brown Cow Ice Cream. Hand-churned in small batches by local ice climber Dawn Glanc, it’s truly a hidden gem that you can only find in Ouray and surrounding towns. Glanc is constantly coming up with new and seasonal flavors, like Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream, Chai Latte, Strawberry Nerds and Pumpkin Pie.

For a nightcap: If you’re looking for a cozy place to end the evening, The Gray Tavern is the place to go. Nestled upstairs in a log cabin-esque building on the south side of town, the cool little cocktail bar has a wraparound deck with views of the city, dog beers available for furry friends and even a curated collection of thrifted items patterns can browse while the drink.

For on-site hot springs: Nothing says “Vacation” like strolling out of your hotel room at night, kicking off your shoes and soaking in a hot spring. At Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs, you can take your pick of geothermal pools, with multiple different soaking tubs and a vapor cave to choose from. The facility is open to the public daily, but from 7 to 10 pm it’s reserved just for hotel guests. Its rooms are simple but clean, and the hotel offers a 24-hour gym, free parking and a breakfast buffet. Right next door, Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs has rustic rooms and semi-private soaking facilities, with hot spring-fed barrel tubs on site just for hotel guests.

For a little Western flair: The Western Hotel and Spa reopened in 2023 after a multi-year renovation effort, and boasts 16 rooms and suites characterized by dark wood, leather and old-timey decor. Refurbished from old boarding houses, the rooms feature amenities like kitchenettes, fireplaces and, of course, mountain views. Downstairs, the hotel boasts the Grill, Kitchen and Chef’s Table where guests or the public can reserve seats (or just stroll in) to get some fresh food made with local ingredients, or wood-fired right on site.

For the basics: Sometimes, all you need is a clean room and a good view. Quality Inn is just a few blocks from Main Street, and offers a hot tub, complimentary breakfast, and a fitness studio. Just a block from Main Street, the cozy Ouray Inn is locally owned and features log cabin-style decor, basic rooms, and generally affordable rates.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.