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Million Dollar Highway, Ouray, CO

Photo: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorFreeOutdoor AdventureIconic

Million Dollar Highway

US-550 between Ouray and Silverton · Ouray, CO

Why you should go…

The Million Dollar Highway is the stretch of U.S. 550 that runs about 25 miles between Ouray and Silverton in the San Juan Mountains. The drive climbs through the Uncompahgre Gorge on narrow lanes with steep cliffs and no guardrails, then tops out at Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet. Along the way you pass headframes and ghost town remains from the Red Mountain Mining District. It is part of the 236-mile San Juan Skyway, and it pays to check winter road conditions before you go.

  • #scenic drive
  • #mountain pass
  • #san juan mountains
  • #ghost towns
  • #road trip

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Million Dollar Highway, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Stay
    Outdoor Adventure

    Red Mountain Motel & RV Park

    Under $25

    A family-run motel, cabins, and RV park in Silverton catering to off-road and winter recreation visitors.

    6.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Stay
    Outdoor Adventure

    Silver Summit RV Park & Jeep Rentals

    $50+

    Full-hookup RV park beside the Animas River and the narrow gauge tracks in Silverton, with on-site Jeep rentals for the San Juan backcountry.

    6.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Telluride Ski Resort

    $50+

    Ski and snowboard more than 2,000 acres of San Juan terrain in winter, then ride the free gondola to bike, hike and zipline in summer.

    7.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Stay
    Iconic

    The Peaks Resort & Spa

    $50+

    Ski-in/ski-out mountain resort in Mountain Village near Telluride with Colorado's largest spa.

    8.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Soaring Tree Top Adventures

    $50+

    A zipline canopy tour near Durango reached only by historic train, with 27 spans across the San Juan Mountains.

    23 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa

    $50+

    A natural mineral hot springs resort in the Animas Valley north of Durango, with more than 30 soaking pools.

    41 mi awayMore like this