Ouray is the prettiest town in this part of Colorado, and getting there is half the show. A day trip from Durango is possible, but it asks for about four hours behind the wheel. If you can spare a night, stay. If you can't, leave at dawn, skip the long lunch and go straight for the water. Here's how a one-day Ouray trip works, and what to know before you try it in winter.
How far is Ouray from Durango, and is it doable in a day?
Yes, with an early start. The numbers:
- Distance: about 70 miles north on US-550.
- Drive time: about two hours without stops, per Colorado United.
- The hard part: the 24 miles from Silverton to Ouray, about 45 minutes of cliff-hugging road over Red Mountain Pass.
- The catch: a round trip is four hours of driving before you stop for anything.
Our Million Dollar Highway guide describes the drive in detail, and our day trips overview shows how Ouray stacks up against Silverton and Pagosa Springs. If you hate mountain roads after dark, treat the afternoon as your deadline.
What does a one-day Ouray plan look like?
| Time | Stop | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | Leave Durango | Fuel up first |
| 8:30 a.m. | Silverton | Coffee and a stretch |
| 9:45 a.m. | Box Cañon Falls | Opens at 8 a.m. in summer |
| 11:00 a.m. | Hot springs | Public hours start at 11 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and a stroll | Main Street |
| 3:00 p.m. | Head south | Aim to clear Red Mountain by dusk |
What is the Ouray Hot Springs Pool like?
- The basics: a city-run pool at 1230 Main Street with sulfur-free water, so it's clear instead of cloudy (city page).
- Hours: open to the public from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the hour before reserved for members. No reservations needed.
- Overlook Pool: about 102 to 106 degrees, the hottest water on site.
- Hot Pool: about 95 to 103 degrees.
- Lap Pool: about 75 to 83 degrees, for cooling off.
- Summer-only sections: the shallow and activity pools, with slides at $5 a day.
- 2026 day passes: $30 for ages 18 to 64, $24 for 65 to 74, $18 for ages 3 to 17, and free for kids under 3. Showers are $4.
Colorado United says the Overlook, Hot and Lap pools stay open through winter, when the soak with snow on the cliffs is the whole point. Our hot springs guide compares this pool with the others in the region.
Is Box Cañon Falls worth the stop?
Yes. It's short, loud and cheap. The park's own description covers the essentials:
- Canyon Creek spills 285 feet into a narrow quartzite gorge.
- The Falls Trail is an easy 500-foot walk into the canyon.
- The High Bridge Trail climbs 200 feet in a half-mile round trip, with views of the town and peaks.
- A colony of black swifts nests behind the falls and typically arrives in early June.
- Dogs aren't allowed.
- 2026 hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 23 through Labor Day, then 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 2. The park closes from November through April.
- Tickets are $8 for ages 18 to 62.
What can you do on foot in Ouray?
- Setting: roughly 7,800 feet, inside a ring of cliffs, so every walk comes with a view
- The big one is the Perimeter Trail, a 5.6-mile loop around town
- About 1,800 feet of elevation gain, from 7,700 to 8,500 feet
- Four waterfalls and six bridges
- Four to five hours for the full circuit, with several exit points if you only want a piece
- Starts across from the Ouray Visitors' Center on the east side of US-550
- Rather ride than walk? Jeep outfits work the old mining roads around Ouray and Silverton, and our jeep tours guide explains how to choose between a tour and a rental
Is Ouray good with kids?
- The hot springs pool calls itself family-friendly, with a rock wall, a volleyball net and water slides in summer.
- Box Cañon's Falls Trail is only 500 feet long, which suits small legs.
- The Perimeter Trail passes the Baby Bathtubs trailhead, where a shallow creek crossing is filled with small rock bathtubs the trail group calls great for kids.
- Kids under 3 get into the pool free, and the Box Cañon park lists a $6 ticket for ages 4 to 17.
- More ideas for traveling with children are in our Durango with kids guide.
What should you pack for the day?
- A swimsuit, towel, flip-flops and a lock for the locker, since Colorado United says to bring your own
- A refillable water bottle, because soaking at 7,800 feet dehydrates you faster than you'd expect
- Sunscreen and a warm layer, since the town cools off fast once the sun drops behind the cliffs
- Snacks and a full tank of gas for the drive over the passes
- Chains or winter tires between fall and spring
What is the Ouray Ice Park?
- A human-made ice climbing venue in the Uncompahgre Gorge, a short walk from town
- More than 150 named ice and mixed climbs
- Almost two miles of gorge
- Free and public, run by a nonprofit
- Ouray Ice Fest, January 28 to 31, 2027
- Guide services in town for first-timers, per the park's site
- Park members get 20 percent off daily admission at the hot springs pool
How safe is the drive in winter?
- Silverton Mountain says US-550 over Red Mountain Pass, coming from Ouray, typically closes after a foot or more of new snow and is usually the first pass to close.
- The Durango side closes less often, but closures happen on both.
- High winds can raise the avalanche hazard quickly.
- Check the Colorado Department of Transportation before you leave, carry chains or good winter tires, and be ready to turn around.
- Read our Silverton in winter and Durango in winter guides for the season in more depth.
When is the best time to visit Ouray?
| Season | Why go |
|---|---|
| Summer | Waterfalls, long days, the full Box Cañon season |
| September | Gold aspens and thinner crowds |
| Winter | Ice climbing and steam rising off the pools |
| Spring | Quiet, though Box Cañon stays closed until May |
How can you make the trip more relaxed?
Split it up.
- Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Silverton one day and continue to Ouray the next.
- Spend a night in Silverton using our where to stay in Silverton guide.
- Add the layover to your plans with things to do in Silverton.
- Pick your week with our fall colors guide and best time to visit Durango page.
