As you can see on this page, the drive from Grand Junction to Ouray takes you through a diverse mix of landscapes and roads. I’ve also included here just a couple of photos from the Perimeter Trail looking down into Ouray. The rest of the pages will give you a much wider view of the area around Ouray.

Ouray, named after Chief Ouray (1833-1880), a Native American chief of the Tabeguache (Uncompahgre) band of the Ute tribe, is nestled among forests, towering cliffs, and a variety of wildlife, including deer, raccoons, bears, and large birds of prey. Once a bustling mining town with around 30 active mines at its peak, Ouray was incorporated in 1876 and grew to over 1,000 people by 1877.

Today, Ouray is a charming small mountain town with 898 official residents (2020 census). Back in 1890, it hit its largest population of 2,534 people. While much smaller than in 1890, today Ouray boasts numerous places to stay, from motels and bed-and-breakfast inns to resorts. You’ll also find a range of restaurants, a few museums, and, of course, a delightful collection of specialty shops. Plus, you can get a workout in or relax in the hot springs at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool or, if you’re lucky, at your resort.

Strolling through town, I didn’t find it quite as steeped in history as other famous mining towns such as Deadwood, South Dakota, or Leadville, Colorado. However, the stunning scenery, unique shops, and fantastic small restaurants (several with great patio dining) make it a wonderful place to explore on foot.

I’ve visited the Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs twice—once solo and once with family. As the name implies, it boasts several pools heated by hot springs water, each at a different, clearly marked temperature. Plus, there’s an underground ‘sauna’ area that also uses hot springs water. To book a room, make sure to choose the section near the pools instead of across the street. Adding to this, the lodge has an on-site restaurant (especially the cozy upstairs section). Now mix in the chance to spot deer or even a black bear in the forest in the forest around the lodge, and Twin Peaks Lodge is a fantastic base for your adventures!

If you’re looking to avoid driving, you can park your car and explore on foot the nearby Box Canyon, the Hot Springs Pool complex, or hike parts of the Perimeter Trail.

If you’re bringing a 4-wheel drive, just a heads-up: they can’t be driving in town. You’ll need to park them somewhere or keep them on a trailer and then drive to one of the many parking areas outside of town to unload and hit the road for your 4-wheeling fun.

If you don’t have a 4-wheeler but want to try it out or explore the more rugged areas, you can always rent one or join a 4-wheeling tour.

And get this: in the winter, there’s exciting ice climbing near town (plus downhill skiing a bit further out). If you’re up for it, you can even take an ice-climbing course! Or be a sane person and simply enjoy watching.