Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Ouray (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Box Canyon, Uncompahgre Gorge, and Wright's Opera House. Also, be sure to include Ouray Public Library in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Ouray (Colorado).
Table of Contents
Box Canyon
Box Canyon is a box canyon in Ouray County, Colorado, United States. It was founded as a mining camp and helped the city of Ouray establish itself as a permanent community. Box Canyon is home to Box Canyon Falls, a 285 feet waterfall, with quartzite walls that extend almost one hundred feet past the falls. Access to the canyon is through a short, 500 feet foot trail to the base of the falls or a steep trail leading to the top of the falls. A fee is required to use the trails to the canyon.[1]
Uncompahgre Gorge
The Uncompahgre Gorge is a deep mountain canyon formed by the Uncompahgre River and Red Mountain Creek in the San Juan National Forest. It is located just south of Ouray, in Ouray County, Colorado.
At the north end of the Gorge the Uncompahgre River flows into a deep box canyon which is home to Ouray Ice Park.
Access to the gorge is via U.S. Highway 550 along the Million Dollar Highway which is cut through the steep cliffs high above the river.
Several waterfalls fall into the canyon, including Bear Creek Falls, right under a bridge on Highway 550 about 3 miles (5 km) south of Ouray.[2]
Wright's Opera House
Theater in Ouray, Colorado. Wright's Opera House, sometimes referred to as Wright's Hall, was constructed in 1888 and is located at 472 Main Street in Ouray, Colorado. For many years after the mining bust and subsequent end of performances it was used as a multi-use building for presentations and community events. Around the year 2000 it was converted into a movie theater which operated until late 2006. Currently it serves as a movie house and performing arts and special events rental venue.
This structure is a contributing property to the Ouray Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
Address: 472 Main Street, 81427 Ouray
Ouray Public Library
The Ouray City Hall and Walsh Library are a pair of buildings in downtown Ouray, Colorado, United States. Located on 6th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets, they are together listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]
Address: 320 6th Avenue, PO Box 625, Ouray
Animas Forks
Town in Colorado. Animas Forks is a ghost town located twelve miles northeast of Silverton in San Juan County, Colorado, United States. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. At over 11,000 feet, Animas Forks is one of the highest mining camps in the Western US.[5]
Ouray County Courthouse
County government office in Ouray, Colorado. The Ouray County Courthouse, constructed in 1888, is the seat of government of Ouray County, Colorado. It is located at the corner of 6th Avenue and 4th Street in Ouray, Colorado. This structure is a contributing property of the Ouray Historic District.
The courtroom was used in the John Wayne movie True Grit.[6]
Address: 420 Sixth Ave, 81427 Ouray
Elks Lodge
Fraternal organization in Ouray, Colorado. The Elks Lodge #492 in Ouray, Colorado was built in 1904. It is located in the Ouray Historic District which was listed by the National Register of Historic Places on October 6, 1983.
It serves the Elks group in Ouray, founded in 1899.[7]