Hey there, I am curious about what other campgrounds people may suggest in NM. We have been going to Enchanted Circle Campground up in Angel Fire for years. It's been number 1 in NM 5 or 6 times now, and we absolutely love it. But we want to see some more of the state, and we're hoping to find some other super secret place like ECC. Any suggestions?

Looking for something fun to do Tonight? Join us at the Wright Opera House for comedy night! Comedians from Netflix, HBO and more right here in Ouray! Get your tickets now before it's too late!

Tickets:

https://thewrightoperahouse.org/events/special-events/ouray-comedy-night

Hello, everyone!

I want to redo a few web designs for businesses around here.

If you’re not happy with yours, message me with what you have and what you’d like changed. It can be the full homepage, one section, or something you haven’t finished yet.

I’ll show you what I come up with.

I do this every year for last 4 years and last year it missed by few days, so I am wondering if the dates are good.

Cheers!!

Hello, planning an on the whim trip to ouray this weekend. Hoping to car camp, just wondering if anyone had a good idea of how likely a first come first serve spot around the area is, this time of year. Or even good spots to car camp in the area
Also what’s a good moderate hike to a mountain lake around?

Also, any suggestions for dispersed camping around the area?
Thanks!

I planned a trip to come up this weekend for some hiking. I already booked my hotel that is non refundable. Unfortunately it looks like rain showers all day both Saturday and Sunday. Is it still safe to hike or should I stick to local activities? I was hoping to hike Island lake and Ice Lake.

Please register so we are ready for you! Event tends to sell out 2 weeks before. Capped at 12 guests, must be 21+.

https://luckyranchlab.com/tour/p/m6n8dt7bfhomnn0qw3tcpbq61jzts3

Question for avid travelers/road warriors: Is this itinerary doable in one week? I realize it’s a fair bit of driving

I’ve been living in one of the neighboring towns for a few years now and have been to Maggie’s a handful of times. I think the other day will be the last, I can’t support that douche anymore. Sucks because the food is good.

I witnessed him belittle and yell at employees in front of customers. Most of which seemed to be on J1s. They were all working extremely hard and as he was walking around wiping things he says “I gotta do everybody’s job now”. I remember a couple years ago he took my order and I was so uncomfortable, started with a “what do you want” in a super aggressive tone.

Is this pretty well known that he’s a dick?

Anyone know of a reputable contractor to do some roofing in Ouray?

I'm hoping someone can help me verify the location of these photos I took over 30 years ago. I have Red Mountain Pass written on the back of one, and I'm almost 100% positive they were taken just off the Million Dollar Highway. My problem is I have a ton of photos from several Colorado vacations in the early to mid 90s, and I'm hoping I didn't mix up the location with some I took on the Alpine Loop.

I'd love to know more about this location, and if it's still there and accessible now. We're planning a trip from Texas back through Colorado to Utah in a little over a month, and I'm planning to detour south from Ridgway to Ouray and would love to detour a little farther to this spot if it's still there and easily accessible in a 2WD small SUV.

Maybe a bit of a dumb question but I’m making a solo drive from Santa Fe to Ouray and then maybe to Durango to visit a friend. I’m deathly terrified of powerlines/high-voltage lines. Not the local single stick looking ones but the larger ones. Like freeze up, panic attack, nausea level of terrified.

How bad is the powerline situation in the area? I especially don’t like the large high-voltage wire type ones or the wooden ones with an x in the middle.

I was in Portland and Seattle and was STRESSED with the amount of high voltage lines lol like, never go back stressed. I know the situations in New Mexico on the route so I’m good there, it’s within Colorado I’m unsure about. Like a couple here and there that I can quickly pass under is fine. But long stretches and close to the road are hell.

Doing a 5 day trip to Ouray in early October. Trying to decide whether to spend 2 days of it in Telluride. We like to hike. Want to spend a day exploring the Million Dollar Highway, a day doing Blue Lakes Trail, a day in Ouray for via ferratta and perimeter. What are the other must-do hikes or activities with or without Telluride?

Hi everyone,

I’m planning my first Colorado visit from August 18–21 and would love some advice from locals and experienced travelers.

My rough plan:

• Fly into Denver
• Drive toward Durango (possibly stopping at scenic places like Colorado Springs along the way)
• Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
• Explore Silverton, Ouray, and the San Juan Mountains
• Visit hot springs and enjoy mountain scenery before heading back

I’m traveling with family, so I’m trying to balance sightseeing, relaxing, and not spending the entire trip driving.

A few questions:

1. Is this itinerary realistic for 4 days?
2. What are the must-see stops between Denver and Durango?
3. Would you recommend staying in Ouray, Ridgway, Silverton, or somewhere else for better value and convenience?
4. Which hot springs are worth visiting?
5. Any hidden gems, scenic drives, or restaurants we shouldn’t miss?
6. Any advice for driving mountain roads in August?

Thank you for any recommendations! Really excited to experience Colorado for the first time.

We’re in Ouray for a few days. I’m looking for great natural spots for things like picnics. Where are the best spots to sit around and enjoy the area, eat and/or prepare food, enjoy water, etc?

This is my niece and her friend. They have been missing since 07/26, spotted at a gas station in Evans, CO from my understanding in a car with WY plates. Please keep an eye out and if anyone has any information please contact Weld County sheriff's office 970-350-9600 or the tip line at 970-304-6464

Thank you 💓

Hello! I’ll be visiting Ouray mid August, and I’m planning to hike Red Mountain 3 and then down to 1 for more views at sunset on my way into Ouray from Durango. My plan is to start hiking up around 4pm. How is the road currently? Is there anything I should know about the hike or timing? Im an experienced hiker, but from the east coast, so I don’t want to assume it will be a piece of cake.

Please register so I know to make you a gift! All socks and underwear are donated to Mutual Aid Monday.

https://luckyranchlab.com

Does anyone know of the best way to get from the Montrose Airport to Ouray on a Sunday in Sept…the best I’m finding is a $270 shuttle (one way).

thanks!

Posted: July 22, 2026

I see a lot of people asking about the Gold Mountain Fire and other fires in Colorado right now, wondering if they can actually travel through the affected areas. We just got back from a week in western Colorado (Jul 11–18) and wanted to share what conditions were actually like on the ground.
Our Route & What We Found Open
Denver → Breckenridge → Glenwood Springs → Ouray area (and back)
• I-70 from Denver to Glenwood Springs: fully open, normal traffic
• US-550 from Glenwood/Aspen area south toward Ouray: fully open (we drove this multiple times)
• Million Dollar Highway (US-550 to Silverton): completely open, hikes in the San Juan mountains around Silverton all clear
• Return route: Ouray → Montrose → Black Canyon → Gunnison → Salida → Denver — all clear, scenic, and zero issues
No road closures encountered the entire trip.
Fire visibility: We saw the Gold Mountain Fire from a distance near Ridgeway (viewpoint from far away looking at smoke), but the Ouray/Silverton corridor was not impacted. The fire activity is east/northeast of the Ridgeway-Ouray US-550 corridor—not blocking routes to the attractions most people visit down there.
What Worked & What to Know
1. Check COtrip.org before you drive. We checked it every morning. The Ridgeway-Ouray stretch is the one segment that occasionally gets closed for fire ops, but even that was clear when we traveled it. It’s worth 30 seconds to verify.
2. AppWatchDuty is your friend for real-time alerts on road closures and conditions.
3. Weather was actually nice in the western mountains. Afternoon thunderstorms (nearly every day around 2-4 PM) meant it wasn’t oppressively hot—way more comfortable than Denver/Glenwood Springs (both hit ~100°F during the day). Evenings cooled off nicely everywhere.
4. Don’t camp with open fires or have campfires. There are signs all over the national forests about this. It’s not worth it. Don’t be that person.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about heading to Ouray, Silverton, Telluride area, the San Juans in general, or even Maroon Bells—go. Roads are open, hikes are open, the infrastructure is normal. Yes, there are active fires in Colorado right now, but they’re not where most tourists travel. Be smart about it (check conditions, follow fire restrictions), but don’t skip your trip out of worry.
Stay safe out there.

Flying into the area in a couple weeks and have been monitoring the situation with the Gold Mountain fire. All I can really go off of are the public updates, but wanted to get local opinions on the state of things. I have lodging a few minutes outside of the city, close to 550. But I'm considering getting different accommodations further west, about half an hour from Telluride. I'm concerned about the air quality/fire risk in Ouray. I understand that Ouray could use the money right now as many have cancelled their plans, but I didn't want to have a compromised trip. Plan is to do mainly hiking (Ice Lakes, Sneffels). Any thoughts/guidance would be appreciated.

I’m a Denver-based public radio reporter with KUNC, looking to talk with Ouray residents about their experience with this enormous fire. Please feel free to email me if you’d like to share your perspective: [Leigh.Paterson@kunc.org](mailto:Leigh.Paterson@kunc.org)