Activities

Day excursions and spectacular scenic drives

Silverton

The 45-minute drive to Silverton south along the Million Dollar Highway is not one you will soon forget. This magnificent portion of Hwy 550 was designed and built by Otto Mears in the 1880’s as a toll-road for not only ore-wagons, but for stagecoaches, and later cars, transporting people who just wanted to experience this dramatic drive.

Plan a half-day to browse through Silverton’s shops and have lunch in one of their many restaurants.

One of the area’s most accessible ghost towns, Animas Forks, is a short drive northeast of Silverton. This is an area that you can reach in a standard-clearance passenger car traveling over a gravel road. You wouldn’t want to try this in a sports car.

Black Canyon National Park
One of the country’s newest national Parks is Black Canyon of the Gunnison, located only a one-hour drive north of Ouray. This canyon is one-mile deep at its deepest point and 1,150 feet across at its narrowest. This twisting, narrow canyon was carved out of the rock by the Gunnison River over millions of years.

Owl Creek Pass
This drive through the heart of the majestic Cimarron Mountains can be made in a passenger car. This particular route was once a cattle drive trail and was used extensively during the production of the movie True Grit, with John Wayne.

This is a perfect place for a morning or afternoon drive and picnic.

San Juan Skyway
This nationally designated All-American Road offers 236 miles of state-maintained highway, looping through some of the most spectacular scenery in America.

Your day will be spent traveling throughout the San Juan Mountains, covering five million acres of national forest, national parks, wilderness areas and state parks. From deserts, alpine forests and over tall mountain passes, you will experience the journey of a lifetime.

This is a great all-day excursion.

Mesa Verde National Park
Recently named the most popular National Park in the U.S., the ruins at Mesa Verde National Park are worth the three-hour drive. You will be in awe at how they built their “communities” and understand how these ancient Indians felt protected by their surroundings.

This would certainly be an all-day excursion but time well spent.

Colorado National Monument
Two hours north of Ouray is the magnificent Colorado National Monument that was established in 1911 to preserve one of the grand landscapes of the American West.

You will enjoy a seven-mile Rim Rock Drive, viewing brilliantly colored masses of naturally sculpted rock throughout a 32-square mile area. There are a number of picnic areas and short hiking trails along this drive.

Telluride
Although Telluride’s history of gold and silver mining is much like Ouray’s, throughout the years it has developed a completely different personality than Ouray. Telluride is known as one of Colorado’s most spectacular ski resorts and is the festival capitol of the world.

Throughout most of the year, the Telluride Ski Resort operates a free gondola, whisking passengers high above the city to the Mountain Village. Be sure to check that out while you’re there. It does close for a short time in the early spring and late fall for routine maintenance.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train
Many Box Canyon Lodge guests take advantage of a one-way option now available. Operating only from mid-June through early August, the railroad provides a bus that leaves Silverton at 7:30 a.m. and takes you on a magnificent drive to Durango in time to catch the 9:45 a.m. train, departing Durango back to Silverton. The train arrives back in Silverton at 1:15 p.m.

Call the Durango depot at 970.247.2733 or 888.872.4607, for more information. This is an all-day excursion that can be booked in Ouray. We will be glad to help you make arrangements for the day that best suits your schedule when you arrive at the lodge.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train also operates a shorter trip during the winter months. Call the Durango depot for details.