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Ouray, the "Switzerland of America" has been a destination of world travelers for more than 100 years. The entire
town is listed on the National Register of Historic Districts. Ouray is nestled in the San Juan Mountains, the "Shining
Mountains" of the Ute Indians--their sacred hunting grounds. The San Juans are the youngest and most rugged mountains
in the Rockies. Ouray is a year round paradise. . . come spend time with us and let your heart soar to new heights in the
crystal air.
Ouray - Then and Now
Ouray was founded in 1876. The first non-Indians in the valley were looking for gold and silver. They found it and settled
here. Within ten years, Ouray had more than 1,200 inhabitants. The town had a school, several churches, a hospital, a four-star
hotel, several restaurants, dozens of saloons and brothels, and the usual array of hardware, clothing, and mining supply stores.
Most of Ouray's more permanent buildings were built between 1880 and 1900, and virtually all of them are still standing. Today
Ouray looks like it did 100 years ago. Come take our Historic Walking Tour and visit our heralded museum and step back a century
in time.
For more info on Ouray, click here.
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Facts About Ouray
Ouray was incorporated in 1876. Many of its buildings were built between 1880 and 1900. It has been designated a National
Historic District.
Location
Ouray is located in southwestern Colorado on US Highway 550, approximately
80 miles north of Durango and 35 miles south of Montrose. The portion of Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton, 24 miles
to the south, has been named The Million Dollar Highway and is part of the San Juan Skyway, one of the most scenic and spectacular
mountain drives in North America.
Physical and Climate
Elevation: 7,760 feet
Topography: Surrounded
by the San Juan Range, the youngest and steepest range of the Rocky Mountains, peaks surrounding the town rise to 13,000'
- 14,000'.
Population: 800 year-round
Size of Town: 9 blocks long, 6 blocks wide
Climate: 285 sunny days per
year.
Summer: A typical summer day is sunny, in the 70's and 80's with evening temperatures in the 50's. The humidity
is very low with brief afternoon showers typical in July.
Winter: 140" average snowfall. A typical winter day is
sunny and bright, with highs averaging in the 40's and lows in the high teens. Snowstorms are sometimes heavy. Although not
necessary, it is advisable to have four-wheel drive, snow tires or chains.
Distances
Durango: 80 miles
(2 hours)
Telluride: 47 miles (40 minutes)
Montrose: 34 miles (40 minutes)
Silverton: 23 miles (40 minutes)
Cortez: 125 miles (3 hours via Telluride)
Grand Junction: 96 miles (2 hours)
Mesa Verde: 110 miles (3 hours)
Moab: 133 miles (3 hours)
Colorado Springs: 267 miles (5 hours)
Denver: 300 miles (5 hours)
Albuquerque:
300 miles (6 hours)
Transportation
Ouray can be reached by automobile or by flying into one of several nearby
locations. Air service is available into Montrose, Telluride, Grand Junction, or Durango.. Taxi & limo transportation
services are available to and from Ouray and Montrose with car rentals available at all surrounding airports. There is bus
service through Ouray
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