The Million Dollar Highway is the 25-mile stretch of US 550 from Silverton to Ouray. This is a section of the greater San Juan Skyway, a 233-mile loop through southwestern Colorado. This drive is known for being one of the most dangerous drives in the U.S, but it’s also known as being one of the most beautiful drives in the country.
Along the Million Dollar Highway, you’ll be met with incredible views of the San Juan Mountains as a constant backdrop, you’ll pass by old mining towns, and have the chance to stop at viewpoints along the way. You’ll also get to explore Ouray and Silverton, which are quaint historic mountain towns that are rich in history and outdoor adventure.
I’ve been traveling all over the United States for years, and the Million Dollar Highway is by far one of my favorite drives. I am a nature lover, so seeing the giant mountains around every corner of the drive leaves me feeling inspired. In this article, I’ll give you my top tips for driving the Million Dollar Highway, stopping points along the way, plus my favorite spots to explore in Silverton and Ouray.
The road referred to as the Million Dollar Highway was built in 1880. The road was gravel, rugged, and narrow. It was originally constructed to bring ore from the mountains to the railroad in Ouray. During this time, the Million Dollar Highway was a toll road that charged $5.00 per team and wagon, $2.50 for a trail wagon, and $1 for saddled animals. The first automobile to drive on the road was in 1910. In the 1920s, they started paving and widening the road for automobile use.
A common question people have is: How did the Million Dollar Highway get its name? The answer to this is unknown. Maybe it’s because of the million-dollar views, or maybe it’s because it cost a million dollars to build? This will likely remain a mystery forever.
The best season to drive the Million Dollar Highway is either in summer or early fall. However, people do make the drive year-round (weather permitting). In any season, it’s always best to check for road closures and conditions before heading out. You can view the webcams for US 550 to see the conditions for yourself.
I say summer and early fall are the best seasons to visit because the weather is pleasant, and you have minimal chances of snowfall. This is the perfect time for hiking and enjoying other outdoor activities. One plus side to fall is getting to see the Aspen Trees turn a rich orange and yellow color. You do need to be aware of afternoon thunderstorms, though. While they typically pass quickly, they can cause slick roads and landslides.
While the Million Dollar Highway is a popular destination when the weather is warmer, it is also a path that many people take in the winter to access skiing and snow sports in the San Juan Mountains. The highway is plowed during the winter, but it will close during heavy snowfall, and there is an elevated chance of avalanches along this stretch of US 550. In the winter, you will need to bring a pair of snow chains with you.
Spring is a less-visited season. This is the period between dry snowy days and warm sunny days, when things seem to be a bit wet and muddy. There is still a chance of snow through May in the higher elevations, hiking trails aren’t fully open, and the roads tend to be slick.
The Million Dollar Highway is classified as a dangerous drive due to its steep grades, hairpin turns, and lack of guardrails. This is a drive that requires your full attention.
Allow for a minimum of 2 hours to drive the Million Dollar Highway. This is without any stopping. There are several stopping points and hikes along the way that will add to this time.
There is often construction happening in the summer and fall, which slows down traffic as the highway becomes a one-lane road. I’ve had to sit at the construction lights for 30+ minutes before. My suggestion is not to rush the drive; instead, take it slow and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Most parts of the Million Dollar Highway have a speed limit of 25-35 miles per hour. It’s really important to follow the speed limit signs, because there are tight curves where you want to stay in your lane and you cannot see past the corners.
Anytime I’ve driven the Million Dollar Highway, traffic was pretty minimal until you reach the construction. Road work backs up the traffic, where you’ll be in a line of 30+ cars, which can be a little frustrating as you continue the drive with a line of cars behind you.
There are no gas stations along the Million Dollar Highway, but there are gas stations in Silverton and Ouray.
There is one EV charging station in Silverton at the Wyman Hotel; however, I’ve heard that this charger doesn’t always work. There are two EV chargers in Ouray, at the Quality Inn and at the Ouray Hot Springs.
If you experience an auto emergency on the Million Dollar Highway, try to find a designated pull-off on the highway that isn’t on a blind curve. If you don’t have cell service in that area, turn on your hazards and pop your hood to alert other drivers that you need help.
Near Silverton, you can call Animas Towing and Recovery at (970) 946-4303. Near Ouray, you can call Timber Ridge Wrecker at (970) 325-4204.
Prevention is the best way to avoid auto emergencies. Before the drive:
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Due to the remoteness of the Million Dollar Highway, cell service is minimal. I always download offline maps and save my stopping points along the way so I don’t miss any of the good spots. It may be a good idea to bring a satellite device if you are planning on hiking or venturing off the beaten path of this drive.
There are no restrictions for driving an RV on the Million Dollar Highway. I would base this on your comfort level. The most important thing to consider is: Can you stay in your lane during tight turns? Otherwise, most of the pull-offs and viewpoints can accommodate an RV.
If you’re heading to the Million Dollar Highway from Durango, this is a great first stop as it’s only 7 miles south of Silverton. Molas Pass sits at 10,970 feet and is the highest mountain pass between Durango and Silverton. This is always a fan-favorite stop because of the views.
This overlook has a ramp taking you to the viewpoint of a marshy grassland below you, with mountain views all around. There is a large parking lot with pit toilets available.
Just north of the Molas Pass is the Molas Lake Park and Campground. They have a day-use area with picnic tables along the lake as well as a camp store with kayak and SUP rentals.
Silverton is a small historic mining town nestled at 9,318 feet in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. This is the southern starting point for the Million Dollar Highway. Like many of the towns in Colorado, Silverton started as a mining camp for gold and silver mining. After the gold rush ended, Silverton became a ghost town before turning into something different: an outdoor recreation destination. Now, Silverton is listed as a National Historic Landmark District.
While Silverton can be its own destination, here are a couple of things to check out while you’re in town:
Greene Street is the main strip in Silverton and is also the only paved road in town. Here you’ll find brightly colored shops with mountains hovering in the background. Greene Street houses galleries, fudge shops, and museums. One of the shops I really enjoyed visiting was the Silverton Train Store. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, check out the Rocky Mountain Funnel Cake Factory.
When you arrive in Silverton, you’ll notice a railroad train dropping off hundreds of passengers. This is a common way for people to arrive in Silverton from Durango for the day. It is a scenic train ride through the San Juan Mountains along the Animas River. It takes 3.5 hours each way with a 2-hour layover in Silverton, so it’s an all-day commitment, but I wanted to mention this in case there are any train enthusiasts out there. The tickets start at ~$117 per person. You can read our review of the train in our article The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Our Full Review + Helpful Tips.
During the snowy months of the year, Silverton becomes a winter wonderland. Here, you’ll find snowmobile tours, an ice skating rink, and even helicopter skiing. You can check out Kendall Mountain for skiing and outdoor recreational activities. Kendall Mountain claims to be one of the most cost-effective ski hills in Colorado.
Red Mountain Pass sits at 11,018 feet, which is the highest elevation pass along the Million Dollar Highway. Red Mountain gets its name from the iron-oxide coloration, causing the mountain to appear red. Red Mountain Pass is home to waterfalls, alpine lakes, and dense forests.
This area is also known as the Red Mountain Mining District, where the ghost towns of Ironton, Red Mountain Town, and Guston are located. Several side roads around Red Mountain Pass lead you to these mines. They are dirt or gravel, and a high clearance vehicle is recommended to reach them. From the Highway, you can still see remnants of old mines and buildings left behind from over 100 years ago.
The Idarado Mine is the most accessible mining ghost town along the Million Dollar Highway. There is a paved parking lot where you can find interpretive signs that tell you about the mine’s history. There are also original houses next to the parking lot where the miners resided.
The Idarado Mine was the second-largest profit-making mine in Colorado. It was in operation from the 1930s to 1978. Not only are they known for their profits, but this mine is also known for the Treasury Tunnel. This is a 5.5-mile underground tunnel that leads from the Idarado Mine to Telluride. The tunnel is no longer in use, but you can see remnants of the trestle and the entrance of the mine.
Stop at this interpretive site to learn more about the history and admire the amazing views from the parking lot.
FUN FACT: The houses at the Idarado Mine were moved to the site in 1948. Of the ten houses moved, only four remain on the property.
Bear Creek Falls is a roadside waterfall located 3 miles from Ouray. This waterfall goes beneath US 550 and plummets 150 feet below you into a canyon before joining with the Uncompahgre River. You will have to park and get out to view the falls because you cannot see them from the roadway. There is a viewing platform to stand on to view the falls.
There’s an optional hike here that will take you to a couple of small waterfalls and old mines. This is the Bear Creek Trail, which is 14.2 miles out-and-back. Popular stopping points are the Bear Creek Mine, 2.5 miles in, and the Yellow Jacket Mine, which is 4.2 miles into the hike.
If you are arriving at the falls from the south, getting into the parking lot can be kind of intimidating because it’s located on a somewhat blind curve. There is a small gravel pullout further down the road that I’ve had to park at before and walk up because the main pull-off was full.
Before arriving in Ouray, you’ll want to stop at the Switzerland of America sign. This is located about a mile before you reach the town. There is an overlook of Ouray from above, which makes for a beautiful photo op. Ouray is known as the Switzerland of America because of the towering peaks of the snow-capped San Juan Mountains resembling the Swiss Alps, as well as the European-style architecture and natural hot springs.
Ouray, Colorado, is located at the north end of the Million Dollar Highway. This charming mountain town is rich in history and is a year-round outdoorsy destination. Ouray is known for its healing hot springs, waterfall hikes, and down-to-earth atmosphere.
While you can easily spend a whole day in town, I’ll just list a few can’t-miss things to do in Ouray. For more, read our article PERFECT One Day Itinerary for Ouray, Colorado (+ Where to Eat).
Box Canyon Falls is a city park featuring a waterfall in a canyon as well as sweeping views of Ouray. There are a couple of noteworthy trails here.
First is the Box Canyon Falls, which is a 500-foot walk through the canyon along a foot bridge leading you to the 285-foot cascade. There is a small viewing platform at the end, getting you up close and personal to the falls.
Second is the High Bridge Trail. This is a half-mile hike up to a bridge above the falls with amazing views of the canyon and Ouray. You cannot see the falls from here, but in my opinion, it’s well worth the trek. It is fairly steep, though; you’ll have to climb a staircase and then maneuver over some boulders, but there are handrails and cables along the way to help with the climb. Just use extra caution if you aren’t used to the elevation.
There is an admission fee, and dogs are NOT allowed.
There are several hot springs in Ouray that are open year-round. If you’re just visiting for the day, I’d recommend the Ouray Hot Springs Park. This sulfur-free hot spring is centrally located and open daily. They are family-friendly and have lots of things to keep everyone entertained, like a volleyball net, water slides, and a rock climbing wall. They also have adult-only pools. Admission is around ~$30 per adult.
Ouray’s Main Street offers 6 blocks of shopping, good eats, and historic buildings. Here, you’ll find quirky gift shops, boutiques, and outdoor outfitters. For the best views, I recommend checking out the Ouray Brewery rooftop; it’s my favorite place to watch the sunset while having dinner.
Some other places to check out are the Wright Opera House, which is a restored opera house that shows films and hosts many events throughout the year. For a unique sweet treat, go to Mouse’s Chocolate and Coffee. They make scrap cookies, which are cookies made from their daily fudge and candy scraps.
FUN FACT: Main Street is the only paved road in Ouray.
Many travelers drive the Million Dollar Highway as a loop, starting and ending in Durango. To do this, once you arrive in Ouray, you’ll continue on to Ridgway, where you’ll turn left onto CO-62. You’ll follow this highway until you reach CO-145. CO-145 will take you past Telluride, Rico, and Dolores. You’ll merge onto US-160 near Cortez, which will take you all the way to Durango. The total drive is 240 miles and takes about 5 hours.
Highlights of this Drive:
Due to the remoteness of the Million Dollar Highway, it’s best to plan your stopping point and accommodations before arriving. There are several lodges and historic hotels in Silverton and Ouray that have cozy rooms available year-round. In Ouray, there are also hot springs resorts, so you can soak during your stay.
For camping along the Million Dollar Highway, check out Molas Lake Campground south of Silverton or the Amphitheater Campground in Ouray. Dispersed camping is allowed on some roads along the Million Dollar Highway as well.
When to Start Your Day: To get the most out of your visit and to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, it’s best to get started early in the morning.
What to Wear: It’s always a good idea to bring layers, a rain jacket, and sturdy walking shoes along with you.
Check out our recommended gear page or our Amazon shop for our favorites.
What to Bring: Safety essentials for your car, plenty of food, and water.
Should You Bring Your Dog? Yes! This part of Colorado is extremely dog-friendly.
What if I Have Physical Limitations? The majority of the things to see along the Million Dollar Highway can be seen from the car. So I think this could be a great trip for someone with physical limitations.
Elevation Factors: The Million Dollar Highway is located in a high-elevation mountain range. If you are not used to the elevation, you may experience altitude sickness. Make sure you drink plenty of water and bring snacks with you.
Driving the Million Dollar Highway is just the beginning of the cool things you can do in Colorado. You can go on an Epic Colorado Road Trip in just 7-14 days. Colorado has four national parks, including Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde. Plus, there are amazing mountain towns like Aspen, Vail, and Telluride (just to name a few), and stunning train rides too! Check out our articles and YouTube videos for tips on how to make this trip happen for yourself. If you really want to make planning your trip easy, check out our travel guides! Hope you make it to Colorado soon.
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