This girls trip has been one of my absolute favorites yet. We did everything from hiking to jeep tours in the San Juan Mountains! Ouray, known as the Switzerland of America, has quickly become one of my favorite destinations in the U.S. Want to go to a place you’ll never want to leave? Well, here it is. Travel with me to Colorado for an unforgettable experience!

When you think about mountain towns and outdoor recreation, accessibility isn’t likely at the forefront of your mind. A roll in hot spring, accessible waterfall and private jeep tour might just change your mind about visiting Ouray with a wheelchair. 

After spending almost a month in the small town of Ouray, Colorado this summer, I have finally crafted what I believe to be an amazing itinerary! I have put together all of my favorite activities, eateries and more into a two-day guide. You can either pick and choose your activities or follow this guide to a “T”, but I promise you will leave just as in love with Ouray as I am.

We LOVE Via Ferrata, especially free ones. So when we found out that Colorado has two awesome Via Ferrata routes, Telluride and Ouray, we had to make a trip. Ouray Via Ferrata is considered a more challenging route than . It also has unique obstacles such as a cable bridge, rope ladder, overhanging Helix Ladder, and a vertical Sky Climb. It sounds like a dream come true for adventure, adrenaline addicts like we are.

Wow! All of a sudden you’ve happened into one of Colorado’s most beautiful little mountain towns, Ouray, Colorado where we love “Keepin’ it real.” But darn it, you only have 3 hours to uncover this newly found treasure. So here’s a little itinerary to give you a taste of what you’ll want to come back and truly experience.

Nestled in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, Ouray is a charming small town with stunning natural scenery and a rich history. Despite its size, there are plenty of free things to do in Ouray that allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of the area. Whether you're interested in hiking, sightseeing, or learning about local history, there's something for everyone in this hidden gem of a town. In this article, we'll explore some of the best free activities that Ouray has to offer.

The Ouray Alchemist is an historic museum on Main Street in Ouray, Colorado. The proprietors are Curtis and Nancy Haggar, and both are registered pharmacists. “We help with high altitude adjustments.” It soon became evident that not only do Curtis and Nancy have a passion for the history of alchemy, pharmacy, and medicine, but they have an inspiring passion and love for Ouray and its history.

Ouray (otherwise known as the Switzerland of America) is the adventure capital of Colorado by far. From skiing, hiking, ICE CLIMBING ❄️ to hot springs there’s a lil something for everyone.

“Why would you want to do that?” That’s the question I got when I first mentioned to a friend that I was going to be joining our staff for a first time ice climbing expedition. “Why indeed?”, I had to ask myself. After all, it does look COLD, it does look like a lot of work, and wasn’t this sport really more for the hard core adventurers?! But alas, I am at that age where adventures that require some level of fitness, agility, and strength are pretty much a ‘now or never’ proposition. Peak performance is a long way back in my history.

It is so important to know what you are getting yourself into when you choose to adventure in the high mountain country. Whether you are doing a short hike, a one night camping trip, or a multi-day hike that you are camping out multiple days. Read through some important tips and tricks for tackling Ouray’s terrain.

Exploring the downstream route of the Ouray Via Ferrata. Something fun for friends and family to explore on their bucket list adventures, the via is a place where memories are made to last a lifetime.

@TravelingBitners | Ouray is located in the San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado and is the perfect location to spend a weekend in the mountains. Ouray is about 6 hours from Denver and while there are multiple routes to take, rest assured knowing that any route will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the state.

Oak Creek Canyon is an intermediate canyoneering route that offers multiple waterfalls, a natural slide, and heart-pounding fun. Guided by the experts of Canyoning Colorado, you won’t be disappointed and will be ready to sign up for your next trip.

Basecamp Ouray’s Gold Mountain Via Ferrata takes you on a journey that will test your mind and body while being engulfed in the valley of the San Juan Mountains.