Things to Do in Ridgway, Colorado
Looking for a peaceful mountain getaway filled with dramatic landscapes and small-town charm? Head to Ridgway! Tucked between the San Juan Mountains and rolling ranchlands, Ridgway offers a perfect mix of outdoor adventures, art culture, and Western history. I spend four nights at Chipeta Solar Springs Resort. Whether you love hiking, soaking in hot springs, or just admiring stunning mountain views, Ridgway is a true Colorado gem.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Ridgway is from late spring through early fall (May through October). Summer offers sunny days perfect for hiking, biking, and festivals, while fall dazzles with golden aspens. Winter is ideal for soaking in hot springs and skiing in nearby Telluride.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Ridgway is located along US Highway 550, about 10 minutes from Ouray, 45 minutes from Telluride, and 1 hour from Montrose.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), about a 45-minute drive, offering connections to Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and other hubs.
- By Shuttle: Regional shuttle services connect Montrose and Telluride to Ridgway, although a car is highly recommended for exploring the area.
Where to Stay
- Chipeta Solar Springs Resort – Tranquil resort featuring hot springs pools, spa services, and adobe-style suites.
- Ridgway Lodge and Suites – Comfortable, pet-friendly lodging with easy access to town attractions and nearby hiking trails.
- Basecamp 550 – Unique tiny home and glamping cabins with gorgeous views of the Cimarron Range.
Best Things to Do
1. Last Dollar Road
When it comes to must-do activities and landmark attractions in Ridgway, the Last Dollar Road ought to land on the top of your list. This bumpy, colorful and vast stretch of dirt road remains largely hidden from out of town visitors, and yet it’s also one of the places that offers the most stunning of rewards for those who are willing to seek it out. Last Dollar Road is perfect for the adventurous and exudes the best of ranching country’s culture and history as it winds in and through low valleys as well as jagged peaks. For the best experience of this infamous dirt road, get in touch with one of the numerous Jeep and ATV operators in the area.
2. Ridgway State Park
Home to over 3,000 acres of beautiful natural landscape, the Ridgway State Park is Colorado’s westernmost state park and was established in 1989. The park is home to a range of facilities for the use of the public such as picnicking areas, camping grounds, as well as cabins and yurts that can be rented out per night. The park is also home to a beautiful lake and is equipped with a marina for long term stays, boat docs, and even has a swimming beach for those who want to cool off during the summer. Other recreational activities that can be enjoyed in the park include hiking, nature treks, fishing, and, on occasion, hunting.
3. Dennis Weaver Memorial Park
If you’re looking for a place to get away, reflect and relax, the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park is a great option in Ridgeway. Made in memory of actor and environmentalist, Dennis Weaver, the park features 60 acres of land, all of which are dedicated to the preservation of wildlife. Visitors to the park are welcome to explore several hiking and biking trails that wind around the area. Each trail offers incredible views of the mountain and the river and are relatively easy to navigate. A picnic area is available down by the river along with public-use restrooms and benches.
4. Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir
Known for being the filming locations of films like True Grit and How the West Was Won, the Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir boast of breathtaking beauty and sheer magnificence. Both routes wind through areas of national forest as well as river basin country, so those visiting and passing through are bound to enjoy amazing views of the Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Rock. Originally at cattle-drive trail, the Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir are great options for hiking and backpacking adventures, but are also gateways to some of the most exciting four-wheel drive roads in Colorado.
5. Ridgway Railroad Museum
One of the awesome things about Ridgway is its railroad history. Ridgway has long been known for being the birthplace of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, and it is the Ridgway Railroad Museum that is dedicated to preserving and sharing that history with all those who visit. The museum chronicles the railroad history of the entire Ouray County, as well as the surrounding areas, through photographs, artifacts, books and preserved railroad equipment. During the summer months, the museum hosts workshops in which visitors can try their hand at various restoration projects, which is great for people who are eager for a hands-on learning experience.
6. Sherbino Theater
Fondly referred to as the “Sherb” by locals, Sherbino Theater is the anchor of Ridgway’s identity. Located in the heart of the town’s downtown area, the Sherbino Theater isn’t just a place to catch some movies. It’s also a place for the community to come and gather, spend time with each other and foster community values. The theater, which is full of character, hosts a variety of high quality and diverse programming. For example, visitors can catch live music, listen to poetry readings, watch plays and even skits. The Sherbino Theater also regularly hosts special events like their Sherb Talks which cover a range of topics from Empowerment Through Skateboarding to the Psychology of Meditation.
7. San Juan Hut Systems
Go on an adventure in the back country of Ridgway without having to deal with the cumbersome weight of camping equipment with the San Juan Hut Systems. Specializing in mountain bike trips, ski tours and hiking adventures, San Juan Huts can help you plan your ideal adventure from maps, trails and terrain requirements, down to food and hut needs. The San Juan Hut systems stretch from the high mountains around Ouray, Durango and Telluride County all the way down to Moab, Utah. Whatever your Rocky Mountain outdoor sports needs are, you can bet your bottom dollar that the San Juan Hut System can help you plane very single detail out.
8. Orvis Hot Springs
Orvis Hot Springs is a favorite spot among locals, offering multiple outdoor pools for people to soak in that all provide amazing views of the nearby scenic San Juan Mountains. The hot springs also feature two private tubs and an indoor pool. Four different outdoor pools are all fed by natural lithium hot springs. The largest of the outdoor pools is The Pond at 5 feet deep and 40 feet across. The Island Pond features a waterfall feeding pure crater water into the hot springs. There is also The Lobster Pot, which is the hottest of the pools, and the Smoker’s Pond.
9. RIGS Fly Shop and Guide Service
Discover all of the grandeur that the Gunnison Gorge has to offer on a premier trout fly fishing tour or an exciting white water river rafting trip with the RIGS Fly Shop and Guide Service. Founded in 2001, RIGS leads trips in various streams and rivers such as the Uncompahgre, the Gunnison, the San Miguel, Cimarron and more. With a headquarters located in the heart of the gorgeous San Juan Mountains, RIGS knows everything there is to know about fly fishing and white water rafting, which is what makes their tours and trips extra enjoyable. From group tours to private tours, there’s no doubt that you’ll get your money’s worth.
10. Colorado Boy Brewery
Housed in a beautiful 1915 brick building within Ridgway’s historic downtown, the Colorado Boy Brewery is a small and humble pub that packs a cultural punch. The brewery features curious and interesting little touches in their operation that bring value and character to their brews. For example, the establishment uses wind powered electricity exclusively while the hot water they use is collected from solar collectors located on their very own roof top. Dedicated to sustainability, the brewery even feeds their spent brewing grain and yeast to their cattle. With 5 or 6 ales on tap regularly, there’s always something new to try at the brewery too.
11. Kate’s Place
At Kate’s Place, every patron can look forward to cuisine with tons of heart and soul. Kate’s Place pays great attention to where your food is coming from so they can make sure that you’re eating food prepared fresh daily with only the best possible ingredients. Produce is sourced from local growers when possible, while the eggs at Kate’s are all from chickens that are fed an exclusively vegetarian, hormone and steroid-free diet. The crowd-pleasing corned beef is roasting in-house alongside their turkey breast and top choice sirloin beef. If you’re looking for a place where you can eat delicious food without having to worry about what you’re putting into your body, then Kate’s Place is definitely one place in Ridgway to try out.
12. True Grit Cafe
With 32 years in the food business, the True Grit Cafe dishes up specialty cowboy cuisine with a large helping of true southern hospitality right alongside every plate. From tender steaks to tasty burgers, visitors are welcome to sink their teeth into filling southwestern fare or satisfy cravings with some light bites. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a great beer, fantastic wine or your choice of cocktails. Some menu favorites to try out include the Ribeye and Sirloin Steaks, the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, the Grilled Salmon Dinner and the Grit Famous Burger Combinations. Looking for something on the lighter side? Try the True Grit’s refreshing Cranberry Feta Salad.
13. Eatery 66
The folks behind Eatery 66 have a simple philosophy behind every single dish that leaves their kitchen: Be good, live simple and eat well. It’s this motto that has turned Eater 66, an outdoor eatery with home-spun local meals, into the success that it is today. The eatery dishes up simple but fun and memorable meals that are inspired by local quality goods and motivated by the desire to live healthy while still enjoying amazing meals. Years of ideas, inspirations, dreams and culinary tradition have resulted in Eatery 66’s amazing menu, which features best-sellers like the Shala Love, the Local Grass Fed Beef Chili, the French Onion Crock and their Me and My Uncle Sandwich.
14. Ouray County Ranch History Museum
The mission of the Ouray County Ranch History Museum in Ridgeway is to preserve the ranching heritage and history of Colorado’s Ouray County, as well as to share that heritage and history with both local residents and visitors alike. This includes sharing the stories of early settlers in the area from the middle of the 1800’s through present day. Through ranch-oriented programs and events, tours, hands-on demonstrations, historical exhibits, education, and more, the Ouray County Ranch History Museum aims to increase appreciation and awareness of the past and present cultural heritage and rural lifestyles of Ouray County.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
