We asked our staff about the hidden gems right here in the towns where we live year-round. We wanted to know what they would recommend to a visitor who may only have three days to spend in the San Juans. Where would they send them to eat, drink and hang out? And what is the one thing they wouldn’t skip if they could only do one thing?
This is our take on the best way to spend time in the laid-back towns of Ridgway and Ouray, and Telluride. While guests often come for the big attractions, we know that the real magic is in the hidden gems.
Ridgway: Western Charm and Big Mountain Views
Nestled beneath the dramatic Cimarron Range, Ridgway is beloved for its easy-going community, budding art scene, and unpretentious vibe. With a real Main Street and remnants of the original historic town built in the late 1800s, it’s a great place to slow down and just hang out for a while.
Find a Deck or Patio and Chill
Ridgway’s downtown is easy to explore on foot and full of character. Historic brick buildings house locally owned boutiques, art galleries, outdoor outfitters, and cafés. Take your time browsing handmade jewelry, mountain photography and fine art, locally crafted gifts, and western-inspired apparel.
During the summer, you’ll often find farmers markets, live music, and community events that bring both locals and visitors together. After a day exploring, locals love to gather for drinks and appetizers, or full-on dinner, but outside on a deck or patio.
One standout is White Buffalo Restaurant + Bar, where guests enjoy elevated mountain cuisine alongside sweeping views of the San Juan Mountains. Whether you’re enjoying locally inspired entrées, handcrafted cocktails, or relaxing on the patio, it’s an ideal place to end the day.
Spend All Day at Ridgway State Park
Ask almost anyone who lives nearby where they like to spend a beautiful summer day, and Ridgway State Park is likely to top the list. The big draw is the reservoir, which offers:
- Paddleboarding
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Fishing
Miles of trails surround the park, making it a perfect place for planning a multi-sport day. Take a few hours to explore hiking trails, do a little biking, and then a few hours in a kayak or on a paddleboard. This is a great place for a group of friends to gather with a cooler and some chairs and hang out all day in the mountain air.
The park is the site of many events, like the 1st Annual San Juan Gravel Classic, featuring several different categories of entry. Do a short course or long course and enjoy a day of gravel biking under a view of Mount Sneffels. Sign up before the race at San Juan Gravel Classic. Proceeds benefit Ouray Advocates for Kids Foundation (OAK).
Take a Picnic to Dennis Weaver Memorial Park
This peaceful park is one of Ridgway’s hidden treasures. Walking trails wind through ponds, wetlands, sculptures, and native landscapes with panoramic mountain views in every direction. It’s especially beautiful during golden hour when the surrounding peaks show off their alpenglow.
If you have small children, this is a favorite place for “little hikers”. Close to town, a trip here requires low effort and returns big rewards. Take snacks or a small picnic and allow everyone to wander and explore. Depending on the season, the river and wetlands area can be full of bird life. There are several hiking loops which are short and manageable while still giving a big feeling of exploration. Be water-wise and water-safe around the river and stay on the trails.
Explore Local Art
Ridgway has long attracted artists, photographers, and creative entrepreneurs. Spend an hour or two visiting galleries showcasing everything from fabric arts to pottery to western landscape painting and contemporary sculpture. Throughout the year, the town hosts art walks and festivals celebrating its thriving creative community. First Friday Art Walks happen on the first Friday of each month.
Play Pickleball
If you’re visiting with a group there’s no better way to pass the time and spend it laughing than by playing Pickleball. Public courts are available in the Ridgway Athletic Park, across the road from Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa. If you’re staying at the Resort, paddles and balls are available for borrowing. The 4th Annual San Juan Slam Pickleball Tournament, hosted by the Ridgway Pickleball Club, is on September 18-20, 2026. The tournament features multiple age brackets and skill levels and is one of the big highlights of September.
Ouray: Colorado’s Switzerland of America
Just 15 minutes south of Ridgway you’ll find Ouray, famous for its dramatic canyon setting, Victorian architecture, and natural hot springs. Although it’s one of Colorado’s most photographed towns, locals know there’s far more to discover than simply walking Main Street.
Relax in the Hot Springs
Before or after hiking and biking, a visit to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool is a welcome break from the usual. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool offers several pools with varying temperatures, making it perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking to get wet and relax in mineral-rich mountain water.
Want to avoid the crowds or soak in relative solitary, try visiting during weekday mornings or after dinner.
Walk the Perimeter Trail
One of Ouray’s favorite hikes, the Perimeter Trail circles the town while connecting waterfalls, overlooks, historic sites, and forested paths. Walk the Trail in sections, or make it a full day adventure, with snacks and drinks in your backpack for stops along the way.
Highlights include:
- Cascade Falls
- Baby Bathtubs
- Box Canyon views
- Historic mining remnants
- Incredible overlooks of downtown
Visit Box Canyon Falls
Only minutes from downtown, Box Canyon Falls features roaring water plunging through a narrow gorge carved over thousands of years. The observation platforms provide unforgettable views, while nearby hiking trails offer even more perspectives of the canyon.
Take a Jeep Tour and Drive the Alpine Loop
Adventure seekers flock to Ouray for some of Colorado’s most iconic four-wheel-drive roads. There are many outfitters in and around Ouray that offer packages of different lengths. Having a driver and someone else’s car can be a really good thing on the more rugged 4-wheel drive backgrounds. But whether you drive your own high-clearance vehicle or take a guided tour, these mountain roads showcase abandoned mining towns, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and wildflowers. Check out tours and rentalsoffered by Switzerland of America, Alpine Scenic Jeep Tours, and San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours to start your adventure.
Popular routes include:
- Engineer Pass
- Cinnamon Pass
- Imogene Pass
- Yankee Boy Basin
Scenic Drives Locals Never Get Tired Of
One thing locals all agree on is that the journey between the mountain towns is every bit as rewarding as the destinations themselves. If you like a drive with gorgeous scenery around every bend, this is where you’ll find it.
San Juan Skyway & Million Dollar Highway
Often ranked among America’s most scenic drives, the San Juan Skyway is a 236 mile stretch of highway. But the section we love, the Million Dollar Highway, is a 25-mile piece that runs from Ouray to Silverton. The drive usually takes 1-2 hours, depending on how many stops you make along the way to take photos and admire the view.
Dallas Divide
Few places offer a better view of Mount Sneffels than from the Dallas Divide. Sunrise and sunset are particularly spectacular, and photographers regularly gather here to capture the changing light across the mountains.
Last Dollar Road
This seasonal gravel road between Ridgway and Telluride provides breathtaking scenery, historic ranches, wildflowers, and panoramic views that feel uniquely Colorado. It’s one of the region’s favorite drives.
Experience Local Flavor
Ridgway and Ouray are filled with locally owned and family-run businesses that give each town its own personality. Discover independent coffee shops, craft breweries, wineries, bakeries, and restaurants that showcase regional ingredients and warm hospitality.
Whether you’re enjoying breakfast in Ridgway, lunch in Ouray, or dinner in Telluride, you’ll quickly understand why locals are passionate about supporting these small businesses.
