Telluride/Ouray, CO area

We just stayed at Ridgway and it is nice, but I expected "outstanding" from the comments on this forum. If I did it again (and I will)I would stay in Ourey itself. We grew tired of driving back and forth, as everything we came to the area for was NOT in Ridgway.

Not sure of your vehicle, but I highly recommend getting off road some. Taking Ophir Pass over to Telluride and Last Dollar Road back into Ridgway is a very easy loop for a common truck, and the scenery is breathtaking!

Two Hands wrote:
Ridgeway is a very nice state park. The KOA near Ouray is not bad at all. The last several years we have gone to and from Ouray from the north and it is no problem at all. You might consider leaving your trailer in the campground and taking a day trip south on the Million Dollar Highway. It is a beautiful, beautiful drive.

+1. Another vote for Ridgeway and the KOA outside of Ouray. The KOA has been there a long time and has consistently gotten good reviews. And with good reason. One of the best KOAs to be found anywhere.

As others have said, the drive from Montrose to Ouray is not a problem at all....lots of farmland and ranchland initially, giving way to mountains in the distance, getting closer. But the road and drive is a piece of cake! Vistas are wonderful the closer you get to Ouray and enter the box canyon.

Two Hands wrote:
Ridgeway is a very nice state park. The KOA near Ouray is not bad at all. The last several years we have gone to and from Ouray from the north and it is no problem at all. You might consider leaving your trailer in the campground and taking a day trip south on the Million Dollar Highway. It is a beautiful, beautiful drive.

X2 on the "Million Dollar Highway".

Montrose to Ouray is a cakewalk, no problems at all. Our favorite is the Ouray KOA, been there several times. It sits in the woods and has a good campground feel. Try to get one of the back-in spots in the rear section of the campground, very quiet and peaceful. You can rent a Jeep right there in the campground and hit some of the trails. You should be there in the prime wildflower season and the Jeep with the top down is the way to go. Make your reservations now for the campground and the Jeep.

Even if you stay elsewhere be sure and go to little cafe at the KOA. Wednesday night and Saturday night they have great BBQ and live entertainment. Their breakfast is great and very reasonable. You do not have to stay there to eat at the cafe. IMO, breakfast is the best in the area.

I know south from Montrose to Ouray is not bad. It's the more boring area. I believe there is an RV park right in Ouray near the hot springs.

Park

Timberidge

There is an area in Ouray to walk back along the river on a steel walk way that is nice. Watch for a rain storm as the water fall and river run through and into a sluice way/tunnel and down to the main river. It rips through there.

Telluride has a lift to take you up during the summer. Shops and restaurant at the top.

Don't take your camper in but you should be able to get to Animas Forks ghost town.

There are a lot of trails and some or portions of some of them can be done in a truck. Ask first and get maps.

I have been down the south side on the million dollar highway about 6 years ago and it is interesting if you are on the passenger side. There are some hairpin turns near town but I dont think they are that bad. It's been a while for my memory but I would take my 5er through there if I go back this summer. There was no shoulder on parts of it and the white line was right at the edge but I'll do it. I'll just slow way down and if anyone has a problem, kiss my or pass. They'll get over it.

If you are north/East of there, the Grand Canyon of The Gunnison is nice. We also did the area to the north west which included Almont, Taylor Park, Tin Cup and St Elmo. Very beautiful areas.

Thank you for your suggestions. I have driven the MDH from Durango up to Ouray before in a van, and that's why I want to avoid it pulling a TT. :D

We lived in Ouray for about 10 years prior to moving to the swamp country of Florida. Ridgway SP is our favorite state park in Colorado. One of the three campgrounds there, Pa Co Chu Puk, does have full hookups. Water, and a dump station are available in the CG. Very nice coin operated laundry and shower facilities are available.

The Ouray KOA, just north of town is our favorite of the privates and we often spend a month or so there in the summer. It is probably book full for the July 4 time frame but worth a call. The owners winter at their home here in Florida. Real nice folks. CG is seasonal.

We have stayed for a month at the 4 J + CG in Ouray, down by the river. Site are a bit tight but it is run by a good family as well. Several more privates just north of town that have changed owners in the last few years.

Gov't CG up on the hill side east of Ouray, called the Amplitheater CG. No services and have never stayed there.

Ouray and surrounding area does need reservations for the popular months. You may have problems getting them now.
The road from Montrose to Ouray is fine, low altitude, etc. hwy 550 gets interesting south of Ouray. New to the area, I suggest you camp in Ridgway or Ouray. Then drive your vehicle over the Million Dollar Hwy and see for yourself what you think of it.

Ridgeway is a very nice state park. The KOA near Ouray is not bad at all. The last several years we have gone to and from Ouray from the north and it is no problem at all. You might consider leaving your trailer in the campground and taking a day trip south on the Million Dollar Highway. It is a beautiful, beautiful drive.