Explore Breathtaking Trails: Hiking in Ouray

This is a great hike to do if you have kids. This trail follows Portland Creek and will have creek crossings. If it is a hot day and you, your kids, or dogs are looking for a spot to cool off, this is the perfect place. The small bathtubs carved into the rocks by erosion are very evident.

Distance: .6 Miles

Average Time: 30 Min to 1 Hour

Elevation Gain: Less than 100 ft

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

If you haven’t seen Box Cañon Falls, consider it a must. The entrance is two blocks up hill at the west end of Third Ave. During the summer months there is a small fee to see the falls, but it is worth twice what they charge.

After you’ve been into the canyon and seen the falls itself, you have the option of climbing a series of stairs and then following a 1/4 mile trail to a bridge far above the canyon, the views are spectacular.

Distance: 500 feet - Box Cañon | .25 miles to high bridge (moderate hike)

Average Time: 5 minutes to Box Cañon | 15-30 minutes to the high bridge

Elevation Gain: less than 100 ft

No dogs allowed in Box Cañon

If you are looking for a very short hike with views of a waterfall this is for you! You can get to the parking lot on 8th Avenue and only have a .5 mile walk to the spectacular Cascade Waterfalls.

Average Time: 30 Minutes

Elevation Gain: 200 ft

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

This is a slightly longer hike than the two previously mentioned but is easy and one which children enjoy.

The trailhead starts a short distance up the dirt road just after you turn onto the Amphitheater Campground road. Park your car at the base of this dirt road and hike to the trailhead.

The trail follows Portland Creek that meanders through the basin above the Amphitheater. This trail tours beautiful, rolling basin, and gains only 900 feet along its various ups and downs. The trail ends in the campground. From there, walk downhill on the paved campground road to your car.

Distance: 3.8 Miles

Average Time: 1 Hour (Round Trip)

Elevation Gain: Less than 200 feet

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

You can find this hike south of Ouray off of Highway 550 (Red Mountain Pass). Once you leave town, it is 8 miles and there will be a sign that says “Ironton.” This is a leisure hike that has great history. Along this route, you will find our Colorado Boy Mine Ghost Town. You are more than welcome to explore the buildings and take lots of pictures! This trail also stays groomed from cross country skiing in the winter.

Distance: 1 Mile

Average Time: 1 Hour

Elevation Gain: Less than 100 ft

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

The Mears Trail offers a stunning and historic hiking experience, following in the footsteps of legendary trailblazer Otto Mears, who helped shape the rugged transportation routes of the San Juan Mountains. This scenic trail winds through breathtaking alpine landscapes, offering sweeping views of Ouray, towering peaks, and lush forests. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply looking for a rewarding trek with incredible vistas, the Mears Trail provides an unforgettable journey through both nature and history.

Distance: (Out and Back) 3.9 Miles

Average Time: 3-4 Hours

Elevation Gain: Less than 100 ft

Yes dogs are allowed, please pick up after them.

*Be careful of moose, do not approach, back away slowly

The River Walk Trail is an easy stroll on a loop that follows the Uncompahgre River. There are interpretive signs along the trail that dives into the geology and mining history of the area. This is perfect is you are looking to get out and stretch your legs, but are not looking for elevation gain. Pets love this trail too!

Distance: 2.2 Miles

Average Time: 1 Hour

Elevation Gain: None

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

The Blaine Basin Trail is a scenic hike near Ouray, leading through wildflower-filled meadows to a stunning basin beneath Mount Sneffels. With moderate elevation gain, it offers a rewarding trek with breathtaking alpine views.

Distance: 6.1 Miles

Average Time: 4 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1,538 ft

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

The Cutler Creek Trail near Ouray offers a peaceful hike through aspen groves and open meadows with stunning mountain views. Its moderate terrain makes it a great choice for a scenic and quiet adventure.

Distance: 3.1 Miles

Average Time: 2 Hours

Elevation Gain: 784 ft

Yes dogs are allowed, please pick up after them.

Great hike that gets you back into the wilderness area. There are great views for other mountains, mines, and water features. This is a longer hike, so make sure to schedule yourself all day for this. Bring a lunch and plenty of water.

Distance: 8 Miles

Average Time: 8 Hours

The Ouray Perimeter Trail is a scenic 6-mile loop with stunning mountain views, waterfalls, and diverse terrain. This moderate-to-challenging hike offers a rewarding way to explore Ouray’s rugged beauty.

Distance: 6 Miles

Average Time: 3-4 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1499ft up and down

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

Photo by: @The_Big_Bon

This trail does get you up to two magnificent vantage points. The first one is the outstanding view looking back down to Ouray from the south and the second one allows you to see the amazing path of the Bear Creek Trail from across the valley.

There are some steep sections and a couple of rocky “steps” that a young child would need help with. There is no water on the trail.

Distance: 5.5 Miles

Average Time: 3 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1,300

The Wilson Creek Trail is a quiet, scenic hike near Ouray, featuring lush forests, open meadows, and stunning mountain views. Its gentle ascent makes it a great option for a peaceful outdoor escape.road to your car.

Distance: 7.2 Miles

Average Time: 5-6 Hours (Round Trip)

Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

The Bear Creek Trail near Ouray is a challenging hike with steep switchbacks, dramatic cliffs, and breathtaking views. This historic route follows a narrow canyon, offering a rugged adventure through the San Juan Mountains.

Distance: In/Out 4.5 Miles

Average Time: 3 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1092 ft

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

The Full Moon Gulch Trail winds through serene forests and open meadows, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. This lesser-known route provides a quiet, scenic retreat near Ouray.

Distance: 4 Miles

Average Time: 4 Hours

Elevation Gain: Less than 2,100 ft

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

This is a short, but very steep, hike. The resulting views, however, make it all worthwhile.

From Oak Street on the west side of town, walk straight up Queen Street; the road curves slightly to the right as you pass the log home on your left. The trail takes off to the right just after a gate. Stop at the overlook and return or you can continue further on this extremely difficult hiking adventure.

Distance: In/Out 5.5 Miles

Average Time: 5 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft

The Silvershield Trail offers stunning views of the Uncompahgre River Valley and surrounding peaks. With steady elevation gain and fewer crowds, it’s a rewarding trek—plus, you can spot dinosaur tracks along the way.

Distance: In/Out 4.3 Miles

Average Time: 3 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1,696 ft

This is a Moderate to Moderate Hard Trail

The Upper Bridge at Box Canyon Falls offers a unique vantage point to view the stunning 285-foot waterfall. A short, scenic walk leads you to the bridge, where you can take in breathtaking views of the falls and the surrounding canyon.

Distance: .3 Miles

Average Time: 15 - 30 minutes

Elevation Gain: 177 Ft

This trail system offers access to multiple trails such as Baldy Trail, Storm Gulch Trail, Shortcut Trail, Okeson Trail, Cutler Creek Trail, Left Fork Cutler Creek Trail, and Dexter Creek Trail

Baldy Trail - 6.4 Miles

Storm Gulch Loop - 5.7 Miles

Okeson - 5.8 Miles

Dexter Creek - 8 Miles

Elevation: 1,600 ft

Average Time: 5-9 Hours

The Blue Lakes Trail near Ouray is a challenging 6-mile (one-way) hike that leads to stunning alpine lakes surrounded by rugged peaks. With a steep ascent and breathtaking views, it offers a rewarding adventure for experienced hikers.

Distance: In/Out 12 Miles

Average Time: 6 Hours

Elevation Gain: 2506 ft

*Note, this will be a permitted trail in 2026

The Bridge of Heaven Trail near Ouray is a challenging hike that rewards adventurers with panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains and a striking overlook of the valley below. Its steep ascent makes it a rewarding trek for those seeking a bit of adventure.

Distance: 8.6 to 11.2 Miles (depending on where you start)

Average Time: 5.5 - 8 Hours

Elevation Gain: Less than 2,500 ft

Dogs are absolutely allowed! Please remember to pick up after them.

Chief Ouray Mine and its metal buildings are the ones you can see high up in the Amphitheater from the center of Ouray. The actual buildings are just across from a falls section of Upper Cascade Creek.

The Amphitheater is littered with wonderful trails and there are several options for getting to Chief Ouray Mine. One is from the top of Amphitheater Campground. Another is to start from the lower Cascade Falls at 5th Ave. Yet, another is to start out on the Portland Mine Trail and branch left at two different stages to link up with the Upper Cascade Trail.

Although not the longest of trails, this hard slog can be very hot in the summer and is steep in places that has no water at all until the very top and some people find the downhill difficult. Nevertheless it is a classic and surely one to try while in Ouray.

Distance: In/Out 4.3 Miles

Average Time: 4 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1,955 ft

The trail offers incredible views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains and wildflower-filled meadows during the summer months. With an elevation gain of over 2,500 feet, it’s a challenging hike, but the turquoise lake at the end makes the effort worthwhile. The route also provides opportunities for spotting wildlife, including marmots and mountain goats, making it a rewarding experience for adventurous hikers.

Distance: 6.6 Miles

Average Time: 5 Hours

Elevation Gain: 2539 Ft

The Dallas Corbett Loop near Ouray is a 5.5-mile hike through aspen forests and meadows, offering stunning views of the San Juan Mountains. With moderate elevation gain, it provides a peaceful retreat in nature.

Distance: 6 Miles

Average Time: 5-6 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2000 Ft

There are a couple of routes you can take to get up Hayden Mountain. Two from Camp Bird Road and two from Ironton. You gain about 3,200 feet in elevation and can be slippery coming down. The peak is 12,578 feet

Distance:

4.4 Miles to the ridge and back

11.2 Miles if you go all the way to Ironton

Elevation: 2000 Ft

Average Time: 5 Hours

The Horse Thief Trail near Ouray is a scenic, moderate hike that offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This trail winds through aspen groves and rugged terrain, with a rewarding overlook at the end. It’s a great option for those seeking a peaceful, yet adventurous hike.

Distance: 6.5 Miles

Average Time: 5 Hours

Elevation Gain: 1760 Ft

Mount Sneffels is a challenging, 14,150-foot peak near Ouray that offers a rewarding climb for experienced hikers and mountaineers. The route features rugged terrain, stunning alpine views, and a thrilling summit experience.

Distance:

5.4 Miles from Yankee Boy Basin

3.5 Miles from Wright’s Lake

2.1 Miles from top trailhead

Average Time: 6-9 Hours