Best Day Trips from Silverton Lakes RV Park

Silverton Lakes RV Park places you in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, surrounded by historic towns, scenic highways, alpine lakes, ghost towns and incredible backcountry adventures.

You could easily spend your entire vacation exploring Silverton, but some of Southwest Colorado’s best destinations are close enough to experience on a day trip.

From driving the Million Dollar Highway to soaking in the Ouray Hot Springs, riding the Alpine Loop or exploring Mesa Verde National Park, these are some of the best day trips from Silverton Lakes RV Park.

Distances and travel times are approximate. Mountain weather, construction, wildlife and seasonal road conditions may affect your drive.

1. Ouray, Colorado

Distance from Silverton: Approximately 23 miles

Estimated drive: Approximately 45 minutes each way

Best for: Waterfalls, hot springs, restaurants and scenic views

Route: Highway 550 over Red Mountain Pass

Ouray is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Silverton Lakes RV Park.

The drive follows the Million Dollar Highway over Red Mountain Pass, reaching elevations above 11,000 feet before descending into the Uncompahgre Gorge. Along the way, you will see historic mining structures, waterfalls, colorful mountains and dramatic canyon views.

Things to Do in Ouray

Once you arrive in Ouray, consider visiting:

• Mouse’s Chocolates & Coffee for coffee and a scrap cookie
• Box Cañon Falls for a short walk into a narrow gorge
• The Ouray Via Ferrata for a guided climbing adventure
• Maggie’s Kitchen for a burger
• Ouray Brewery for locally brewed beer and rooftop views
• The Ouray Hot Springs Pool for a relaxing soak
• Downtown shops and historic buildings

During fall, the drive between Silverton and Ouray becomes even more beautiful as aspens turn gold across the mountainsides.

Check the weather and Red Mountain Pass conditions before leaving. Allow plenty of daylight for the return drive and use designated pullouts for photos.

2. Durango, Colorado

Distance from Silverton: Approximately 48 miles

Estimated drive: Approximately 1–1.5 hours each way

Best for: Shopping, restaurants, breweries, museums and the Animas River

Route: Highway 550 over Molas Pass and Coal Bank Pass

Durango offers a larger collection of restaurants, shops and attractions while remaining close enough for a full-day trip from Silverton.

The drive itself is part of the experience. Highway 550 travels over Molas and Coal Bank passes, passing forests, mountain overlooks and views of the Animas Valley.

Popular Durango Activities

• Walking or biking along the Animas River Trail
• Exploring historic downtown Durango
• Visiting the Durango & Silverton Railroad Museum
• Shopping along Main Avenue
• Touring Ska Brewing Company
• Visiting Steamworks, Carver or Animas Brewing
• Exploring the Powerhouse Science Center
• Visiting local galleries and museums

Durango is also a helpful place to purchase groceries, outdoor equipment and other supplies that may be more limited in Silverton.

In the fall, the drive between Durango and Silverton is lined with changing aspens. Leave early so you have time to enjoy the drive and return before dark.

3. Telluride, Colorado

Estimated drive: Approximately two hours each way using paved roads

Best for: Mountain scenery, shopping, restaurants and the gondola

Paved route: Highway 550 through Ouray and Ridgway, then Highway 62 and Highway 145

Telluride is another iconic mountain town that can be visited from Silverton Lakes RV Park.

The paved route takes you over Red Mountain Pass, through Ouray and Ridgway and across the Dallas Divide before reaching Telluride. During fall, this is one of the most colorful drives in Southwest Colorado.

Things to Do in Telluride

Once in Telluride, you can:

• Explore historic downtown
• Ride the gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village
• Walk to Bridal Veil Falls
• Shop at locally owned stores
• Visit galleries
• Enjoy lunch with mountain views
• Walk part of the San Miguel River Trail

Experienced drivers with an appropriate high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle may consider Ophir Pass as an alternate seasonal route. Ophir Pass reaches approximately 12,789 feet and includes a narrow, rocky shelf section where passing can be difficult.

Ophir Pass is not appropriate for every driver or vehicle. Confirm current conditions before leaving and understand that ATVs and unlicensed OHVs cannot travel through the Town of Ophir.

4. The Alpine Loop and Lake City

Estimated duration: A full day

Best for: Four-wheel driving, ghost towns, mountain passes and mining history

Vehicle required: High-clearance four-wheel drive

The Alpine Loop is one of the most adventurous day trips from Silverton.

The complete backcountry byway connects Silverton, Lake City and Ouray while crossing Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass. The primary loop is approximately 63 miles and generally requires at least four to six hours of driving without extended stops.

Suggested Alpine Loop Route

For a complete day trip from Silverton Lakes RV Park, follow this route:

Silverton Lakes RV Park → Animas Forks → Engineer Pass → Lake City → Cinnamon Pass → Silverton Lakes RV Park

Stop at Animas Forks to explore the historic ghost town before climbing Engineer Pass. Once you reach Lake City, have lunch at Beny’s Mexican Restaurant and stop at San Juan Soda Company for a treat.

Return to Silverton over Cinnamon Pass, enjoying views of the surrounding 14ers and alpine terrain.

The Alpine Loop is remote and receives little or no cell service. Carry offline maps, food, water, warm clothing and emergency supplies. Begin with a full tank of fuel and confirm that both passes are open.

The route is generally accessible during summer and early fall, but early snow can close the passes.

5. Animas Forks and the Silverton Backcountry

Distance from Silverton: Approximately 12 miles each way

Estimated duration: Half day or full day

Best for: Mining history, photography and a shorter backcountry adventure

You do not have to complete the entire Alpine Loop to experience Silverton’s backcountry.

Animas Forks is an excellent option for guests who want to see a historic ghost town without committing to a full day over Engineer and Cinnamon passes.

From Silverton Lakes RV Park, travel into the Animas River Valley on County Road 2. The route passes historic mining sites, waterfalls, mountain streams and colorful terrain.

At Animas Forks, walk among the remaining buildings and learn about the people who once lived at more than 11,000 feet.

Depending on your vehicle, experience and current road conditions, you may also explore additional designated backcountry routes before returning to Silverton.

Road conditions can change throughout the season. Ask our office staff about recent conditions and pick up a map before leaving.

6. Mesa Verde National Park

Distance from Silverton: Approximately 106 miles

Estimated drive: Approximately 2.5 hours each way

Best for: Ancestral Pueblo history, archaeology and a longer day trip

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the longest day trips from Silverton Lakes RV Park, but it offers an experience completely different from the high San Juan Mountains.

The park preserves centuries of Ancestral Pueblo history, including archaeological sites and remarkable cliff dwellings. The National Park Service estimates the distance between Silverton and the park headquarters area at approximately 106 miles.

Things to Do at Mesa Verde

A Mesa Verde day trip may include:

• The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
• Scenic overlooks
• Museum exhibits
• Self-guided archaeological sites
• A ranger-led cliff dwelling tour
• Drives across the mesa

Some cliff dwelling tours require advance reservations. Check current operating hours, road conditions and tour availability before leaving Silverton.

Because this is a long day, depart early and avoid trying to combine Mesa Verde with other major destinations.

7. The San Juan Skyway

Distance: Approximately 232 miles for the complete loop

Estimated driving time: At least seven hours without extended stops

Best for: A full-day scenic drive

Route: Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Cortez, Durango and back to Silverton

The San Juan Skyway connects several of Southwest Colorado’s most famous mountain towns and scenic corridors.

The complete loop travels through Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Cortez and Durango. It includes the Million Dollar Highway, Dallas Divide and several distinctly different landscapes.

The drive takes approximately seven hours without stops, making it a very long day.

Before Driving the Full San Juan Skyway

If you attempt the full loop:

• Leave early
• Check the weather
• Fill your fuel tank
• Carry food and water
• Choose only a few planned stops
• Complete the Million Dollar Highway during daylight
• Be prepared for changing elevations and temperatures

For a more relaxed experience, divide the San Juan Skyway across two days. Visit Ouray and Telluride on one day, then explore Durango and the southern portion of the route on another.

8. Ridgway, Colorado

Estimated drive: Approximately one hour each way

Best for: Local restaurants, open mountain views and a quieter day

Continue north through Ouray to reach Ridgway, a smaller community surrounded by wide-open views of the San Juan Mountains.

Ridgway makes a good addition to an Ouray day trip or a destination of its own.

Things to Do in Ridgway

Spend your day:

• Walking through downtown Ridgway
• Visiting local shops and restaurants
• Exploring Ridgway State Park
• Driving toward the Dallas Divide
• Enjoying views of Mount Sneffels
• Visiting local galleries
• Stopping at a brewery or café

Fall is an especially beautiful time to visit because the open landscape provides expansive views of golden aspens beneath the surrounding peaks.

How Many Days Should You Stay in Silverton?

With so many day trips near Silverton, a short weekend can feel rushed.

A three-night stay gives you time to explore Silverton and choose one major day trip.

A five-night stay allows you to experience Silverton, Ouray, Durango and one backcountry adventure.

A seven-night stay gives you enough time to explore at a more relaxed pace, account for changing weather and include destinations such as Telluride, Lake City or Mesa Verde.

Mountain weather does not always follow your itinerary. A longer reservation provides flexibility if rain, snow or changing road conditions affect your plans.

Use Silverton Lakes RV Park as Your Home Base

Silverton Lakes RV Park gives you a central place to return to after exploring Southwest Colorado.

Begin your morning with complimentary coffee, talk with our office staff about weather and road conditions and then set out for a day in the San Juan Mountains.

After exploring Ouray, Durango, Telluride, Lake City or the Silverton backcountry, return to your campsite or cabin and relax beneath the mountain sky.

Reserve your stay at Silverton Lakes RV Park and give yourself enough time to experience more than one unforgettable day trip from Silverton, Colorado.