Photo by Bede735Ouray (🇨🇭 of America)
1-2h
Iconic
2 expert tips“The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is free and open year-round — it's most magical in winter when steam rises against snow-covered canyon walls.”
Roman, Fyno expert“Rent a Jeep for half a day to access the Alpine Loop, a stunning high-clearance route connecting Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City via 13,000-foot passes.”
Roman, Fyno expert
Alpine townsQuaint churchesArchitectureHistoric
Curated byRomanUpdated I’d go to Ouray (🇨🇭 of America) for a look at the architecture.
More about this place
Ouray, known as the Switzerland of America, is a tiny Victorian mining town of 1,000 people set at 7,800 feet in a box canyon so dramatically framed by 14,000-foot peaks that it looks almost like a stage set. It's one of Colorado's most photogenic small towns and a year-round destination — famous for its hot springs, world-class ice climbing, and access to the stunning Uncompahgre Gorge and jeep roads of the San Juan Mountains.
The Ouray Hot Springs Pool sits at the north end of Main Street and offers soaking in natural geothermal waters with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding cliffs. The Box Canyon Falls — a waterfall thundering through a narrow slot canyon just five minutes from downtown — is one of the most impressive short walks in Colorado.
In winter, Ouray Ice Park transforms the canyon walls into a massive artificial ice climbing venue, drawing climbers from around the world to what is widely considered the finest ice climbing venue in North America.
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