Silverton
A high-mountain mining town at the southern end of the Million Dollar Highway, preserving Old West streets and saloons. It is the terminus of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Silverton lies about 38 kilometers south of Ouray, roughly one hour's drive over Red Mountain Pass along the Million Dollar Highway. At an elevation of 2,840 meters, the entire town is a National Historic Landmark District. Its main street, Green Street, and Blair Street, once the red-light district, preserve 19th-century wooden and brick buildings, old saloons and souvenir shops. The town is busiest in summer, when the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge steam train arrives at noon each day. Visitors can tour the San Juan County Historical Museum or the old Hardman Gold Mine, or start the Alpine Loop from here. It is usually visited as a day trip from Ouray, combining the round trip with the most spectacular stretch of road.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Red Mountain Pass
- Ironton Ghost Town
- Animas Forks Ghost Town
- Million Dollar Highway
- Alpine Loop & Engineer Pass
- Bear Creek Falls
- Ouray Perimeter Trail
- Ouray Ice Park