• 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
      • Caves
      • Colorado Brands
      • Escape Rooms
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Lakes
      • Landmarks
      • Mine Tours
      • Mountains
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Parks
      • Rivers
      • Scenic Drives
      • Sightseeing Tours
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Winery Tours
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Jeep Rentals
      • 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
      • Snowbiking
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Boutique Hotels
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos w/ Lodging
    • Hot Spring w/ Lodging
    • Wineries w/ Lodging
    • Best Hotels
    • Dude Ranches
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
image of downtown silverton
Downtown Silverton, CO, Photo by: Mike McBey

Top things to do in Silverton, Colorado

March 1, 2023 By //  by William Reavis

FacebookTwitter

Situated in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, between Red Mountain and Molas Pass, Silverton is an old mining town still booming with possibilities. Whether you dare to drive the 4×4 roads, hit the trails, test your skills at heli-skiing, or traipse through the mountainside on a snowmobile, adrenaline-packed adventures await.

Or uncover a bit of Colorado’s history with a visit to Silverton’s historic downtown and the area’s many museums. With a variety of historic sites, outdoor activities, and incredible scenery, there is no shortage of things to do in Silverton.

Year-round

No matter what time of year, visitors will find something to do with these year-round activities in Silverton. Summer and early fall are the fan favorites, although come wintertime this sleepy gem holds one of the most notorious ski resorts in the state.

Million Dollar Highway Scenic Byway

image of million dollar scenic byway
Driving along the Million Dollar Scenic Byway. Photo by Felix Lamouroux.

Named not just for the huge cost it took to construct, the Million Dollar Highway is also one of the most beautiful roads in all of Colorado. Granted the title of Scenic Byway, this road, which travels from Silverton to Ouray, offers some of the best views in all of the San Juan mountains.

Part of the San Juan Skyway, a 236-mile road winding through the San Juans, the Million Dollar Highway is a great way to take in the beauty of the region without leaving paved roads.

Even though it stays on paved roads, the Million Dollar Highway is still not for the faint of heart. With sharp curves, exposed cliffs, and occasionally missing guardrails, a drive on this beautiful road can be intimidating. Though, the fantastic views, like those from the top of Red Mountain Pass at 11,075 feet, make it all worth it!

Mayflower Gold Mill

image of mayflower gold mill
The Mayflower Gold Mill. Photo by San Juan County Historical Society Facebook.

Set just two miles outside of the town of Silverton, the Mayflower Gold Mill is another great option for learning about the rich mining history of southwestern Colorado. Abandoned in 1991, after beginning in 1930, the history of Mayflower Gold Mill stretches far back into the prime mining and milling era of Colorado.

Named a National Historic Landmark in 2000, Mayflower Gold Mill is owned and maintained by the San Juan County Historical Society of Silverton. The mill is open to the public, and there is a self-guided tour available for a small fee. Here, visitors can interact with real milling equipment while learning about the Gold Mill’s history. Additionally, there is a small gift shop and information center.

Ride the Durango-Silverton Train

image of durango-silverton train
The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Photo by Stefan Serena.

Construction of the famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train line finished in 1882. From then, aside from transporting an estimated three hundred million dollars worth of precious metals, the rail line has been an exceedingly popular scenic route for visitors hoping to travel to Durango or Silverton.

Today, visitors can take a remarkably scenic trip through the San Juan mountains aboard this famous train. The train offers a variety of classes ranging from Standard Class, which is comparable to coach seats on an airplane, to Presidential Class, which feature unlimited beverages and a private viewing area. Regardless of the class visitors choose, a train ride on this famous track is sure to be a memorable experience.

Visit a Ghost town

image of animas forks
The ghost town of Animas Forks. Photo by Mia & Steve Mestdagh.

Thanks to the fickle nature of mining in Colorado in the late 19th and early 20th century, a number of mining depots and towns were abandoned as mining operations moved on to new areas, creating ghost towns in their wake. Thankfully, many of these ghost towns remain intact, and they’re a fantastic way to get an idea of daily life in Colorado’s old mining towns.

Animas Forks, the most popular ghost town near Silverton, is accessible through the previously mentioned Alpine Loop Byway. Founded in 1873, Animas Forks was home to a bustling mining community until the early 20th century. Today, only accessible by high-clearance vehicles, Animas Forks is a popular tourist attraction that allows visitors to see original buildings from around one hundred years ago in their natural spot.

Christ of the Mines Shrine

image of christ of the mines shrine
Christ of the Mines Shrine. Photo by kenileed via Getty Images.

Set around five hundred feet up Anvil Mountain north of Silverton, the Christ of the Mines Shrine is a large, 16-foot statue of Jesus Christ erected in 1959. Hoping to improve a depressed economy caused by downturns in the mining business, the statue was created as a last-ditch effort to save Silverton’s mining economy. Interestingly, one of the area’s most profitable periods of mining began soon after the construction of the sign was complete.

Today, visitors can recognize the impactful effects that the mining industry had on small mountain communities, ultimately leading to acts of faith like the Christ of the Mines Shrine. While it is a beautiful statue depicting Jesus Christ, visitors can easily get a glimpse of the precipitous nature of mining in the 19th century with a visit to this shrine.

Tour Historic Downtown

image of city hall silverton
Historic City Hall in Silverton. Photo by Town of Silverton, CO Facebook.

Like most other small mountain towns in the area, Silverton has an interesting historic downtown. Walking around downtown Silverton, visitors will encounter an abundance of historic buildings, unique shops, restaurants, and local attractions. Most of downtown is designated as a historic district. Important landmarks to visit are the Grand Imperial Hotel, city hall, and the old county jail which now houses the San Juan County Historical Society.

Golden Block Brewery

image of golden block brewery
Inside the Golden Block Brewery. Photo by Golden Block Brewery Facebook.

After enjoying all that downtown historic Silverton has to offer, consider stopping by Golden Block Brewery, a local craft brewery offering beers brewed on-site as well as delicious wood-fired pizzas. With six craft beers including Ales and IPAs, Golden Block Brewery will satisfy all types of beer lovers, and their old-fashioned wood-fired brick-oven makes consistently great pizza.

For another great craft beer option in the area, visit Avalanche Brewing Company. Offering more local craft beers as well as pizza, salads, and famous tacos, Avalanche Brewing Company, located on the only paved road in Silverton, is a fun stop for visitors and locals alike.

Summer activities

This San Juan county seat comes alive in the summer! Discover alpine lakes, roaring rivers, 4×4 roads, and go deep inside a historic mine with these summer activities in Silverton.

Hiking – Ice Lakes Trail

image of island lake silverton
Island Lake along the Ice Lakes Trail. Photo by Daniel Weber.

Silverton, set at over 9,000 feet above sea level, is the perfect base camp for some of Colorado’s best hikes. Surrounded by national forests and BLM land, visitors are never far from a beautiful trail. Whether enjoying a short day hike on a visit to Silverton or planning a longer, multi-day excursion, a fantastic adventure is easy to be had near this San Juan mountain town.

The Ice Lakes Trail is one of the best hikes near Silverton. Traversing awe-inspiring meadows surrounded by tall mountain peaks, the Ice Lakes trail showcases what makes hiking so popular in Colorado. The hike is seven miles round-trip to Ice Lake, and it can easily be extended another one and a half miles by continuing to Island Lake. The trail gains 2,430 feet on its way to Ice Lake and is considered to be strenuous.

Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour

image of old hundred gold mine tour
Visitors riding on the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour. Photo by Old Hundred Gold Mind Tour Facebook.

Located just outside of Silverton, the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tourย is a great way to get a glimpse of what Silverton was like as a bustling mining town over a hundred years ago. Offering tours deep inside the towering Galena Mountain onboard a vintage mining cart, visitors have a unique chance to see antique mining equipment just like the ones used a century ago to mine the silver and gold that gave Silverton its name.

As a bonus, visitors to the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour can pan for real silver, copper, and gold at no additional cost. After heading a third of a mile into the mine and panning for gold, visitors can relax at the covered picnic area before heading back to nearby Silverton.

Rafting the Animas River

image of rafting animas river
Rafting the Lower Animas River. Photo by Jack Vinson.

Adventurers visiting Silverton should consider rafting the famous Animas River. With rapids ranging from calm Class II all the way up to Class V, white water rafters and kayakers of all levels can find a portion of the Animas River to suit their skill level. Trips can range from short day trips to multi-day rafting excursions.

Mild to Wild, a local rafting company, operates rafting adventures in the Upper and Lower Animas. For the seasoned white water rafter, the Upper Animas River is widely considered to be the most difficult commercially run rivers in the United States.

Featuring frequent class IV and V rapids surrounded by the majestic San Juan peaks, rafting the Upper Animas is an absolute thrill. For the less experienced rafters, consider the slightly less intense Lower Animas River.

4×4 Trails

image of jeeping to animas forks
Off-roading to the ghost town of Animas Forks. Photo by OakleyOriginals.

4×4 and OHV trails abound near Silverton. A great way to see the landscape without an exhausting multi-day backpacking trip, 4×4 trails provide all the stunning, remote views of the San Juan mountains without the logistical and physical components of backpacking. Luckily, visitors traveling without a 4×4 vehicle can rent a Jeep at Silverton Jeep Rentals.

The most famous 4×4 road in the area is the Alpine Loop Byway. Snow-free from June to September, the Alpine Loop Byway is a 65-mile scenic drive that connects the towns of Ouray, Lake City, and Silverton.

Besides the amazing views of countless mountain peaks like Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn, the route passes through the ghost town of Animas Forks. A four-wheel-drive adventure on the Alpine Loop Byway is a great way to spend a day near Silverton while also checking out the nearby towns of Ouray and Lake City.Winter activities

The real fun ramps up with winter activities in Silverton. Soar to new heights with heli-skiing in the backcountry, snowmobiling in the San Juans, and family fun at the Kendall Mountain Ski Area.

Ski Silverton Mountain, Heli-Skiing

image of heli-skiing
Heli-skiing at Silverton Mountain Ski Area. Photo by Silverton Mountain Facebook.

Silverton Mountain Ski Area is a beautiful skiing area located on Silverton Mountain just north of town. Unlike some ski resorts in the area, Silverton Mountain is not beginner-friendly. Recommended only for advanced skiers, the mountain is not groomed, so visitors will be sure to have an authentic mountain skiing experience. Silverton Mountain offers passes including instruction from world-class guides as well as traditional unguided mountain passes.

An exhilarating feature of Silverton Mountain is the option for heli-skiing. Featuring two packages with a varying number of helicopter drops, heli-skiing is a great way to take a ski trip to Colorado to the next level. With over 22,000 acres of terrain that is exclusive to heli-skiing, skiers are sure to encounter incredible untouched powder and see beautiful views of the San Juan mountains.

Snowmobiling in the San Juans

image of snowmobiling in silverton
Snowmobiling with Ice Pirates. Photo by Ice Pirates Backcountry Adventures Facebook.

One of the best ways to exploring the outdoors in Colorado’s high mountain towns during winter is on the back of a snowmobile. Luckily, since most people don’t own their own, there are a few options for guided snowmobile tours near Silverton.

Ice Pirates, for example, located in Silverton, offers tours lasting two hours, three hours, or all-day excursions. Exploring the mountains on a winter trip to Colorado by snowmobile is an unforgettable experience.

For any visitor visiting the area with their own snowmobiles, Silverton Snowmobile Club builds and maintains a number of trails in the area. Ranging from 9,000 feet up to 13,000 feet, the views and experiences are guaranteed to be good.

Kendall Mountain Ski Area

image of kendell mountain ski area
Kendell Mountain Ski Area. Photo by Kendell Mountain Ski Area Facebook.

Kendall Mountain Ski Area is a small, family-friendly ski area right outside Silverton. Offering free skiing for children five and under, this is a great stop for families with small children visiting Silverton. Featuring one lift and seven trails, many of which are beginner-friendly, Kendall Mountain Recreation is perfect for beginner and seasoned skiers alike.

Visitors can rent skis, poles, and boots at the main building, and there is also a small concession stand offering basic food and drinks. Additionally, there is a small ice rink, and ice skates are available for rent in the same area.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and start planning your vacation with these things to do in Silverton!

William Reavis

About William Reavis

William is a student studying English at Boston University. When he's not writing, he's an avid backpacker and reader.

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. โ€”and never miss out again.

Previous Post: «Crested Butte Mountain Biking Colorado Top things to do in Crested Butte, CO
Next Post: Top things to do in Nederland, Colorado image of nederland colorado»

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. โ€”and never miss out again.

Things to do in Colorado

  • All Activities
  • Alamosa
  • Aurora
  • Beaver Creek and Avon
  • Black Hawk
  • Boulder
  • Breckenridge
  • Buena Vista
  • Caรฑon City
  • Carbondale
  • Castle Rock
  • Central City
  • Copper Mountain
  • Cortez
  • Creede
  • Crested Butte
  • Crestone
  • Cripple Creek
  • Delta
  • Denver
  • Dillon
  • Durango
  • Eagle
  • Estes Park
  • Evergreen
  • Fort Collins
  • Frisco
  • Fruita
  • Glenwood Springs
  • Golden
  • Granby
  • Grand Junction
  • Greeley
  • Gunnison
  • Hugo
  • Keystone
  • Lake City
  • Longmont
  • Lyons
  • Minturn
  • Montrose
  • Morrison
  • Nederland
  • Ouray
  • Pagosa Springs
  • Palisade
  • Paonia
  • Pueblo
  • Ridgway
  • Rifle
  • Salida
  • Silverthorne
  • Silverton
  • South Fork
  • Sterling
  • Telluride
  • Vail
  • Victor
  • Walden
  • Walsenburg
  • Westcliffe

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 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise