• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Box Canyon Falls Hiking Ouray CO
Hiking in Box Canyon Falls Park, Ouray, CO. Photo by: Simon Foot

8 Terrific Hiking Trails near Ouray

February 28, 2021 By //  by Patrick McGuire

FacebookTwitter

Affectionately known as the “Switzerland of America,” the charming town of Ouray is surrounded by immaculate and unforgettable mountain splendor. Situated beneath vast peaks and dense evergreen forests, Ouray is located near some of the most exciting and scenic hikes in Colorado.

Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains in all directions, Ouray is a prime destination for a myriad of hikes. This list of recommended local hiking trails will help you choose which ones to explore if you’re not sure where to get started:

Box Canyon Falls Park

Box Canyon Falls Park Ouray
Box Canyon Falls in Ouray, CO. Photo: Carl Mikoy

Featuring three short and easy hikes located close to Ouray, this park offers stellar panoramic canyon views, an 85-foot waterfall, a trail that passes through a man-made cave, and a serene pool of water surrounded by 100-foot rock walls. Box Canyon Falls also offers picnic areas and educational exhibits on the area’s environmental and historical legacy. Though the park charges an entrance fee, hiking here is considered a can’t-miss local activity if you’re visiting Ouray.

Mt. Sneffels

Mt. Sneffels Ouray CO Hiking
Pano of the scene hiking up Mt. Sneffels. Photo by: Casey Reynolds

The trail to the summit of this gorgeous 14,158-foot peak is seven miles long, which is considerably shorter than comparable 14er hikes. However, hiking here is said to be difficult and even dangerous at times due to falling rocks and dramatically steep inclines. Helmets are highly recommended for this hike, which is best-suited for those with proven experience and navigation skills.

Making it to the top of this peak will reward you with some truly unforgettable views of the surrounding peaks towering over the Uncompahgre National Forest. Getting to the trailhead takes a 40-minute drive from Ouray.

Top of the Pines

Located 30 minutes north of Ouray, this outdoor recreation area features multiple hikes ranging from easy to moderately difficult. Each offers excellent views of the Sneffels Range and perfect conditions for viewing wildlife.  In the spring in summer, these trails are open for hiking, and in the winter they’re used for skate and classic flat-track skiing. Entrance fees are required for hiking and skiing here.

Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes

A difficult but highly rewarding hike, this trail spans nearly nine miles and explores some truly stunning alpine terrain: crystal clear blue lakes, jagged rocky peaks, and serene windswept landscapes that rise far above the timberline. This trail features a rapid elevation incline in a relatively short amount of time. It’s a good trail for hikers looking to develop their experience, but is recommended only for those who are prepared.

Blaine Basin Trail

This trail begins at the same trailhead as the Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes Trail but is easier and typically less crowded. You’ll be treated breathtaking views here as well as a stellar display of wildflowers in the spring and summer. Six miles long, the Blaine Basin Trail is said to get steep and slippery towards the end, so take note that it’s not easy going the whole way.

You might think this trail is going to be packed once you start, but reviews say the crowds you’ll encounter are typically headed to the Blue Lakes and that a gorgeous trail that’s sparsely used lies just ahead.

Baby Bathtubs Trail

Easy, hugely scenic, weirdly named, and located just outside of town, the Baby Bathtubs Trail is short hike with water features like small pools and waterfalls that will keep you entertained for hours in the summer and early fall. Portland Creek and the surrounding rocks are the main attractions here, and families in swimsuits are common here on warm days. It’s a spot obviously not recommended for thrill-seeking hikers, but it’s great option if you’re looking for fun without straying far from Ouray.

Weehawken Pack Trail

Located just ten minutes south of town, this strenuous hike clocks in at six and a half miles and features lush forested terrain that opens up to vast views of steep mountain rock walls that are capped with snow for much of the year. In the fall, the gold flourishes of aspens are excellent here.

Ouray Premier Trail

The Ouray Perimeter Trail delivers gorgeous high-elevation views of the town of its namesake and the surrounding peaks. As opposed to most hikes in the area, this one is a loop that offers different terrain and sights throughout its entirety. Like you might guess, a hike this close to town is quite popular, but it’s not a trek inexperienced hikers will find easy. If you hike here during the late fall and winter, you’ll need spikes or snowshoes.

Those are some of the most exciting hikes in Ouray County, Colorado. Have a wonderful time trekking in the San Juans!

Patrick McGuire

About Patrick McGuire

Patrick McGuire is a freelance writer and musician living in the mountain west.

FacebookTwitter

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Previous Post: «Hiking Sand Canyon Trail. Canyon of the Ancients National Monument Ruins 7 Captivating Hiking Trails around Cortez
Next Post: 10 Wonderful Hiking Trails by Westcliffe Hiking Rainbow Trail Westcliffe CO»

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Upcoming Spring Festivals in Colorado
  • 8 Great Springtime Colorado Festivals
  • 9 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Companies
  • Brief Timeline of Colorado’s Ski and Snowboard History
  • Fly Directly to these Colorado Ski Resorts with Airports Nearby

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 · Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise