Ultimate Guide to Ouray, CO

Known for being the "Switzerland of America," Ouray, Colorado is surrounded by gorgeous mountains that draw outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country. Walk around to take pictures of the lovely Victorian buildings downtown, go on hikes to look at beautiful waterfalls and try ice climbing or off-roading for the first time. Ouray also has a rich history, considering it was once a mining town.

A fun time of year to visit is during Christmas because the entire area is lit up with Christmas lights. You can attend other events like:

• Ouray International Film Festival - June 25
• 36th Annual Ridgway Rendezvous Art and Crafts Festival - Aug. 14
• Mt. Sneffels Marathon - Aug. 21
• Annual SNEFFELS Fiber Arts Festival - Sept. 25

You can view the city live here. Ouray, CO's zip code is commonly 81427.

It's in Ouray County and nearly six hours southwest of Denver. You can see Google's version of the Ouray, Colorado map down below. If you click "View larger map," the map will open into Google Maps, where you can easily find out how to get to Ouray, Colorado and to other nearby towns.

You pronounce it like "yur-ei." Think of it like "your" and the letter "a."

Originally a town, Ouray was settled in 1875 by prospectors looking for ore and gold, according to Mark L. Evans in the Narrow Gauge Circle.

Britannica said the Ouray, CO elevation is 7,760 feet, and PeakVisor said the mean elevation in Ouray County is 8,951 feet.

In 2021, the estimated population in Ouray County was around 5,212, according to the World Population Review. The city of Ouray had 1,082 people living in it in 2021.

Tracked between 1948 and 2005 by the Western Regional Climate Center, the snowfall in this city averaged 22.92 inches per year. The peak snowpack for 2021 was 18 inches, according to Snoflo.

Yes, Ouray is well known for having black bears. You can learn more about bear proofing and safety procedures here.

Some of the best things to do in Ouray are:

• Relaxing in the Ouray, Colorado hot springs
• Visiting parks like Box Canyon Park and Cascade Falls Park
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Hunting elk and waterfowl
• Learning about pharmacology in the Ouray Alchemist Museum & Penthouse
• Riding a horse with Action Adventures Trail Rides
• Trying beer at local breweries
• Renting a Jeep to go off-roading
• Rappelling

Winter

• Ice climbing at Ouray Ice Park
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Snowmobiling
• Sledding
• Snowshoeing

We recommend the following Ouray, CO restaurants because they're local favorites:

Brickhouse 737 - New American; $$$
Try the:

• Braised boneless short rib
• Eggplant and cauliflower
• Shrimp and pickled sweetcorn fritters
• Steak and fries
• Burrata

Bon Ton Restaurant - Italian; $$
Try the:

• Smoked salmon
• Cobb Mediterranean salad
• Ravioli
• Tortellini carbonara
• Beef wellington

Outlaw Restaurant - Steak house; $$$
Try the:

• Baked artichoke heart
• Caesar salad
• Filet mignon
• Chicken fried steak
• Black bean burger

Thai Chili Restaurant Ouray Colorado - Thai; $$
Try the:

• Pad Thai noodle
• Drunken noodles
• Pot stickers
• Ramen noodles
• Pineapple fried rice
  

Gold Belt Bar & Grill - Bar and grill; $$
Try the:

• Sweet potato fries
• The Town Favorite
• Pulled pork sandwich
• Fish tacos
• BBQ chicken pizza

Red Mountain Brewing - Brewpub; $$
Try the:

• Fish and chips
• Fried pickles
• Grilled cheese sandwich
• Chicken tenders
• Spinach salad

Taco del GNAR - Tacos; $$
Try the:

• Korean BBQ taco
• Buffalo chick taco
• Sketchy fries
• Local nacho
• Power ballad salad

Our on-site restaurant: Ouray Cafe and Steakhouse - American; $$
Try the:

• Fluffy buttermilk pancakes
• Tamale plate
• Country fried steak and eggs
• Homemade biscuits and gravy
• Ham and eggs

While there are plenty of options in Ouray, we recommend our Ouray Riverside Resort. We have clean, high quality cabins and RV sites for you to stay in. Additionally, we offer 2021 Jeep Wrangler rentals for you to take off-roading in Colorado. We're one of the best places to stay in Ouray, Colorado, so book a room, cabin or RV site today!