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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Ouray
Spend 1–2 days in Ouray: one night, soak the hot springs, hike Box Canyon Falls, then drive the Million Dollar Highway.
Ouray is a small mountain town in the San Juan range, best reached by car via US‑550. Its main draws are the hot springs, Box Canyon Falls and the dramatic Million Dollar Highway. One night lets you enjoy the baths, a short hike and a scenic drive, with time for a meal and a quick stroll through the historic downtown.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (snow can close roads)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $80–$120 excl. bed · Mid $130–$180 excl. bed · High $200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Box Canyon Falls entry | $3 adults, $1.50 children (5‑12), $2.50 seniors |
| Ouray Hot Springs entry | $10 |
| Meal at Backstreet Bistro | $10–20 |
| Beer at local bar | $5–7 |
| Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km)) | $15–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MTJ · Montrose Regional Airport
- 35 mi north, shuttle or rental car to Ouray (≈1 h).
- DRO · Durango‑La Plata County Airport
- 72 mi south, rental car (≈1.5 h).
Typical fares
- Montrose → Ouray (rental car, 1 day)
- ≈ $55, compact, includes unlimited mileage (check)
- Box Canyon Falls entry
- $3 adults (check)
- Ouray Hot Springs entry
- $10 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is essential; US‑550 (Million Dollar Highway) connects Ouray to Silverton, Durango and Montrose. No public bus service within town.
See and do
Known for
- Box Canyon Falls
- Ouray Hot Springs
- Million Dollar Highway (US‑550)
- Ouray County Historical Museum
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Silverton | Drive US‑550 north, about 1 h on the Million Dollar Highway | ≈2 h round‑trip |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | Drive US‑550 north to the park entrance, about 1 h | ≈2 h round‑trip |
Sleep
- Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs
- Mountain‑side rooms, private hot‑spring tubs, 1 h drive west of town.
- Christmas House Bed & Breakfast
- $115–180, main‑street location, suites with private jacuzzis.
- Spangler House B&B
- $85–180, quiet street, historic décor, breakfast included.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑SEE‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN‑to KWEHS‑ta |
| Where is the restroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?DON‑de es‑TA el BAH‑nyo |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?pwe‑DOO‑eh pah‑GAR con tar‑HE‑ta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Hairpin turns and steep grades on US‑550 – drive cautiously.
- Altitude (≈2 800 m) can cause shortness of breath; stay hydrated.
- Winter storms may close the highway – check road conditions.
Ouray is safe for visitors; main risks are mountain driving and altitude – keep an eye on weather forecasts.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ouray yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Box Canyon Falls
- Ouray Hot Springs
- Million Dollar Highway (US‑550)
- Ouray County Historical Museum
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Ouray: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Ouray, revision 5240840 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5240840
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Ouray
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US consulate in Denver (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/ouray). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.