We’re Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka The Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog! This is a stretch of guardrail-less highway on the San Juan Skyway between Silverton, Colorado and Ouray, Colorado. This drive climbs up 3 high mountain passes: Coal Bank Pass (10,640 ft),  Molas Pass (10,970 ft), and Red Mountain Pass (11,018 ft). Learn how your comment data is processed. Offering breathtaking mountain, valley and gorge views, this stretch of two-lane blacktop snakes its way through the San Juan Mountains, the wildest and most rugged peaks in the Rockies. The “official” Million Dollar Highway is a 12-mile stretch of US Hwy 550 that starts south of Ouray. You'll be on the "outside" for a while with a hell of a view to your right (let the passenger look. 5 Tips for Driving the Million Dollar Highway! That said, it’s completely doable and a normal commute for many locals. long exposure of traffic going up and over red mountain pass on the million dollar highway on a summer night - million dollar highway stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . Just like any time you drive, accidents happen and the Million Dollar Highway is no exception to the accident rule. There are so many beautiful things to see and do in Colorado. For more travel tips, guides and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke around our site, follow us on Instagram @wanderingstus, Pinterest and on Facebook. You'll want to watch the road). On your way to Silverton from Ouray, you’ll pass four campgrounds that are located just north of Silverton: 1) Kendall Campground, 2) Golden Horn Campground and 3) Anvil Campground 4) South Mineral Campground. We’re happy to answer. The route is full of scenic views, but let the passenger look as you’ll want to watch the road. Ouray, CO – The Million Dollar Highway stretches for about 25 miles in western Colorado and follows the route of US 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. How Long Does It Take To Drive The Million Dollar Highway? This is due to the many turns and switchbacks that wind around the mountain highway. While driving the Million Dollar Highway, you best pack your hiking boots because you’ll be driving past some pretty amazing trailheads. It is beautiful!! Originally hand-carved in the 1880s, the route was constructed to transport ore from Silverton to the railroad in Ouray. This is a very drive-able route for experienced RV drivers. Lots of sweaty palms. You have two options when driving the Million Dollar Highway loop. “The Good, The Bad and the RV” is a website dedicated to RV travel and outdoor adventure. You won’t find that many accommodation choices in Silverton. The highlight is the climb up out of Ouray which follows the Uncompahgre river with great views. “The Good, the Bad and the RV” is not affiliated or endorsed by “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”, Tiffin, Newmar, Jeep, any campgrounds or services reviewed, or any other RV and/or Travel company. Continuing into Southern Colorado and located a little closer to Durango, you’ll find Molas Lake Park and Campground and Lime Creek Campground. Durango is a bigger city with majority of it being on the modern side. Sitting pretty at 9,318 ft in elevation, Silverton brings all the Wild, Wild West vibes and charm. Get your vehicle checked first. A Million Dollar Highway with a Trillion Dollar Experience. The entire route delivers jaw-dropping vista after vista. This highway has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful, yet dangerous stretches of highway in the United States. The stretch between Silverton and Ouray, the section of this highway considered most difficult, is only 25 miles in length but takes about 45 minutes. … This all being said, taking a weekend or a few days is also completely doable given there are amazing things to see, do and explore in the towns of Ouray, Silverton and Durango. It boasts some of North America’s highest avalanche hazard (per mile) and is part of the San Juan Skyway. The Good, The Bad and the RV 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. So, it's safe. It is one of the roads on the Trails of the Ancients Byway, one of the designated New Mexico Scenic Byways. Mike drove our 35’ RV (2020 Newmar New Aire) on U.S. Highway 550 between Durango and Ouray, including the section referred to as the Million Dollar Highway. The Million Dollar Highway Is 25 Miles Of White Knuckle Driving In Colorado That’s Not For The Faint Of Heart. So many people recommended driving the Million Dollar Highway that it ended up shaping our route around Colorado. Other things to be mindful of is the time of year/season you are driving the Million Dollar Highway. We stopped at appropriately pull-offs for pictures, abided the road signs and kept our eyes on the road. If you’re taking the North to Southern route, you’ll more than likely start in Montrose or Ridgway and end somewhere along the way, like in Durango. We started in Telluride and ended in southern Colorado at the entrance to Great Sand Dunes National Park. If you're cruising with four-wheel drive or a Jeep, a must-see before hitting the Million Dollar Highway is the ghost town northeast of Silverton. This drive climbs up 3 high mountain passes: Coal Bank Pass (10,640 ft), Molas Pass (10,970 ft), and Red Mountain Pass (11,018 ft). Are you looking for something new and exciting to do while keeping your distance from others and staying healthy? If your plans are to just cruise through Ouray, by all means, carry on. The origin of the name Million Dollar Highway is disputed. When you see it for yourself, it’ll be clear why driving the Million Dollar Highway is considered one of the best scenic drives in the Unites States. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) spends an average of $2 million per year, maintaining the 24-mile (38.6 km) section of highway. The 25-mile stretch of two-lane road between Ouray and Silverton is technically the section of U.S 550 that gives the Million Dollar Highway it’s name. I’ve spent a lot of time in this… About Me: Hey guys! Located in Colorado, the Million Dollar Highway is one of Colorado’s most scenic byways. Cut through the side of the San Juan mountains, this scenic highway whips and winds through old mining towns of days past and up and over steep grades. The ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin “S” curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains. Safe Driving Tips for the Million Dollar Highway. The views are spectacular, there are some fun stops along the way, and when you have to spend some time traveling from one destination to. The Million Dollar Highway is a very scenic route. The highway is carved into the side of the mountain. Check out our Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary! The snow season starts in October, and snow will often close the road (temporarily) in winter. Here are our tips for driving the road. If you are needing to fill up your tank, make sure you do so in the cities of Durango, Silverton or Ouray as there are no gas stations along the scenic highway once you get outside of the the town limits. Looking for a Colorado scenic drive? In an interview with the Telluride Times newspaper a CDOT representative; Nancy Shanks gave a few simple tips for surviving the Million Dollar Highway. There are many tight corners on the route. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The section from Silverton to Ouray is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway. Read our ultimate guide to driving the driving it! The section of Hwy 550 between Ouray and Silverton is technically " The Million Dollar Highway", so if you were driving to Silverton to take the train to Durango, you would be driving the Million Dollar Highway by default. #LetsGoPlaces. The drive along the 50 and 550 highways from Grand Junction through to Durango passes through ever changing country. You can choose to continue further south to Durango, or settling in for the night at the Grand Imperial Hotel, Villa Dallavalle Inn or the The Bent Elbow Hotel and Restaurant. After heavy rains, landslides or mudslides can happen and in the winter, avalanches and black ice along the road have been known to occur and cause accidents, some being fatal. Or, just leave us a positive note! Thanks to Toyota, myself, Patrick and a crew of other bloggers visited Colorado with one mission: Bond with the Million Dollar Highway. Colorado Hiking & Attractions Colorado Bucket List: 8 Must-See Stops on The Million Dollar Highway. Why Is It Called The Million Dollar Highway? The Million Dollar Highway was originally built as a narrow wagon road in 1882 by two men, Otto Mears and Fred Walsen. The Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Ouray, is a road trip everyone must experience. Since we were unsure how the new RV would do, we opted to drive the route without towing our Jeep, but rather having me follow in the Jeep behind the RV. I grew up a big city girl from Texas, and even though Texas will always be special to me, I am a gypsy at heart! However, if you’re wanting to take your time, explore the sites, stop for lunch, etc., we suggest giving yourself the day to drive it and enjoy it. Wondering how the Million Dollar Highway got its name? Likewise, if you’re heading the opposite direction towards Ridgway or Telluride, you won’t find a bad views either. When driving The Million Dollar Highway, you’ll witness some of the best views Colorado has to offer on this iconic stretch of road. © 2020 The Good, The Bad and the RV, our experience on Cape Breton National Park’s Cabot Trail’s. Every moment, scrapbook worthy! Nobody knows if that dollar figure refers to the value of the gold and silver ore thought to be mixed in with the fill underneath the pavement or an attempt to put a price on the accompanying views. Careless driving tends to be the number one cause for accidents and the reason why there are deaths along the Million Dollar highway. I understand this highway is open year round. Continue 48 miles south technically off the Million Dollar Highway but still in the same region and you’ll arrive in the sprawling city of Durango, Colorado. Forget standard driving safety measures like guardrails and shoulders, there aren't … We continued about 7 more miles (11 km), up and over Molas Pass to Andrews Lake, but we didn’t drive the final 41 miles (66 km) back to Durango. 3rd week of September 2015 - It was about a week early for the full Fall Colors - there were higher color changes in the higher altitudes. It’s all about being smart. It’s important to understand that while this highway is a two-lane, paved road, sections of the road grip the side of mountains. I love, love, love travel gigs, and this one goes down in the books. Regardless which version is true, one thing is for sure, million dollar views are endless on this highway. U.S. Route 550 (US 550) is a spur of U.S. Highway 50 that runs from Bernalillo, New Mexico to Montrose, Colorado in the western United States. For us, we took the Million Dollar Highway North to South. If you’re crunched for time, and are planning to make little to no stops, you can drive the Million Dollar Highway in a fews hours. We’re a free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls. There are sheer drops virtually along the entire route and enough hairpins to make a whirling dervish dizzy. The Million Dollar Highway is a charming name for a gnarly road that offers the best scenery in our gorgeous state (that’s a big claim but we can back it up). The winding US highway 550 is also known as The Million Dollar Highway, running all the way from New Mexico to Colorado. At the end of the day, use common sense and your ride will be amazing and enjoyable! However, if you’d like to stop and explore, check out some of the best things to do in Ouray just below including places to eat and where to stay. As we gained altitude snow began to appear and then it just grew around us, piled high alongside the highway. In Ouray, Angel Creek Campground, Thistledown Campground and Amphitheater Campground are excellent options to check out. He had previously driven the route in a car several times, but was concerned about how well our RV’s exhaust brake would hold back the RV (so that he would not need to overuse the service brakes) following our experience on Cape Breton National Park’s Cabot Trail’s with its 13% grades in our prior 2019 New Aire. Shanks said, “Know the conditions, (obey) the speed limit and, if you’re a truck driver, put your chains … Loved it! He felt the lanes were wide enough to easily stay within them on the hairpin corners. Get our camping essentials packing packing list right here! There are a number of turns that you’ll take at 10 mph. It depends on a lot of factors like the weather, what type of vehicle you’re driving (car, RV, motorcycle) and where you plan to stop and start. Summer temperatures can range from 70–90 °F highs at the ends of the highway to 50–70 °F in the mountain passes. A portion of U.S. Route 550 that cuts through Colorado mining country, this famous stretch of scenic roadway consists of 25 miles from Silverton to Ouray featuring beautiful mountain views, massive drop offs, and waterfalls. driving the million dollar highway. Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name and reputation. The road is fine as long as you don’t drive too fast for conditions. Plus, it’s the easiest way to enjoy the scenery from above 14,000 feet without having to spend the day hiking. There are several legends, though, including that it cost a million dollars a mile to build it, and that its fill dirt contains a million dollars in gold ore. Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. Now, this is a hard one to answer. Although RVers shouldn’t pass up Ourway, the route traverses through the Uncompahgre Gorge, and the ghost town of Ironton to the summit of 11,018 ft at Red Mountain Pass. Mike drove our 35’ RV (2020 Newmar New Aire) on U.S. Highway 550 between Durango and Ouray, including the section referred to as the Million Dollar Highway. If you drive it from the south (Silverton) to the north (Ouray), you will climb up Red Mountain to Red Mountain Pass and then begin a long descent through the Uncompahgre Gorge down to Ouray. Established in 1880, like all the other towns on the Million Dollar Highway, Durango has its fair share of American wild west history. Apart of U.S 550 and the San Juan Skyway, the Million Dollar Highway is a 25 mile (40 km) stretch of two-lane mountain road between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado. The Million Dollar Highway was completed in 1924. Don’t take an unreliable car or truck and make sure that you have your brakes, tires and everything … Chains may be required to drive. All articles are the sole opinions of The Good, The Bad and the RV and are for entertainment purposes only. For those of you wanting to experience the more quaint, historical side of Durango, head to Durango’s historical downtown. Surely I cant' be the first to contemplate this drive in the winter! Founded in 1876, Ouray is the outdoor recreation capital of Colorado and boy-oh-boy, do they ever live up to that claim! It is on this descent that you’ll get the best views. Answer 1 of 13: Hi folks, I posted this in the Q+A for the million dollar hwy, but the response has been radio silence. For us, we took the Million Dollar Highway North to South. My name is Sara. There are many sections without guardrails, We pulled over to let cars around several times. In the state of Colorado of the United States of America there’s a special highway built in the late 1880's: the Million Dollar Highway, part of the San Juan Skyway. In the early 1920s, the original toll road was rebuilt at considerable cost and became the present day US 550. If you’re taking the North to Southern route, you’ll more than likely start in Montrose or Ridgway and end somewhere along the way, like in Durango. Located 23 miles south of Ouray is the town of Silverton. Driving out of Ouray, my wife was on the downhill side of the car. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The views are spectacular, there are some fun stops along the way, and when you have to spend some time traveling from one destination to another, it makes it so much more enjoyable. The Million Dollar Highway ends in the old mining town of Silverton, though the San Juan Skyway continues south on US 550 for a good distance longer. The Million Dollar Highway goes over three mountain passes: Coal Bank Pass (10,640 feet), Molas Pass (10,970 feet), and Red Mountain Pass (11,018 feet). You have two options when driving the Million Dollar Highway loop. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Wouldn't like to go in the middle of a … Read more. Spectacualr climb up to the Red Mountain Pass on the million dollar highway. Each stop on has a little something for everyone to see and experience. Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). It’s unclear exactly where the Million Dollar Highway gets its name. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. You’ll come around a corner, see the … The Million Dollar Highway is the stretch of highway between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado, and it is 100% worth the drive! Nestled in a box canyon, Ouray’s streets are lined with historic old wild western buildings, each with its own charm and story. Date of experience: September 2020. But if you do, the consequences are severe. Regardless where you start and stop, you can explore mining ghost towns, go camping, hiking, biking and fishing in San Juan National Forest and much more along the way. Travel is necessary and we have every intention to roam beautifully. However, if you decide to head further south to Durango, the views are by no mean less spectacular. From historic hotels like the The Strater Hotel and The General Palmer Hotel to cozy inn’s like the Siesta Motel or to more main stream options like the MainStay Suites and Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn, there are loads of options for every kind of traveler in Durango. Things To Do On The Million Dollar Highway, 2. A stretch of mountain road connecting Durango, Colorado with our next stop in Ouray is often referred to as The Million Dollar Highway. The grades on the Million Dollar Highway were manageable with our 2020 New Aire’s larger engine and better exhaust brake. The road is windy and lacks a guardrail, which adds to the excitement of the large drop-offs. Mountain driving is no easy feat, especially a mountain road like the Million Dollar Highway. Built in the late 1800’s, the highway was built out of necessity as a way to connect the Ouray and Silverton mining districts. She asked me several times if I couldn't hug the center a bit more since it felt like we were too close to the edge. There are three main towns that make great stopping points when your driving the Million Dollar highway – Ouray, Silverton and Durango. The stretch between Silverton and Ouray, the section of this highway considered most difficult, is only … The weather on this zone is harsh and highly unpredictable and it does not take much time for bright sunshine to change over to moderate to heavy snow fall. Part of the San Juan Skyway, this highway was built in the late 1880's, and it is one of the most spectacular drives in the USA. 10 Epic Things To Do In Great Sand Dunes National Park, Visit Antelope Canyon: The Perfect Canyon Trip Planner, Arizona Road Trip: An Epic 2 Week Itinerary. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Good, The Bad and the RV and receive notifications of new posts by email. At some points, you’ll have steep drop offs just outside your window and a friendly reminder, there are no guardrails there to protect you. Driving the Scenic Highways of Southwest Colorado is not as scary as you think. It just doesn't feel like it in places. To start, it’s the highest paved road in the United States and promises positively breathtaking views from the top. Travel north from Silverton to Ouray allows drivers to hug the inside of curves; travel south from Ouray to Silverton perches drivers on the vertiginous outside edge of the highway. The road was incredibly engineered by Russian immigrant Otto Mears, indomitable road and railroad builder of the early west, and was first operated as a toll road. There are loads of camping options on the Million Dollar Highway. Well, look no further than the Million Dollar Highway in Southwestern Colorado. This stretch of the Skyway is called the "Million Dollar Highway," and while the official origin of the name isn't known for sure, local lore suggests it came from the cost it took to build the highway, the "million dollar" views you'll experience while driving it, or the amount of gold ore that remains in the roadway's fill. There are more than 100 named avalanche paths that intersect Highway 550 in the Red Mountain Pass area alone. In addition to the famous Million Dollar Highway, which we outlined in the article above, one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado is Mount Evans Road. Mike has been driving class A motorhomes since 2012 and felt past experiences helped him with this drive. Some folks say it cost a million dollars a mile to build while others say the dirt underneath contains a million dollars worth in gold. South to North or North to South. All in all, we never felt unsafe at any point of the ride, but we used and exerted caution. What a drive!!! It seems the origins of the name "Million Dollar Highway" are up for debate. The first time you drive it, it’s a real breath taker. The Million Dollar Highway is the stretch of highway between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado, and it is 100% worth the drive! Check out our top road trip essentials to pack and not leave at home! It is beautiful!! Speaking of views, one of the best parts about driving the Million Dollar Highway is seeing where the road goes next. The Million Dollar Highway. Visit The Wild Western Town of Silverton, Gas Stations Along The Million Dollar Highway, entrance to Great Sand Dunes National Park, Historic Western Hotel Restaurant and Saloon, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, The Ultimate Utah Road Trip (National Parks + Itinerary), How To Get to Culebra - Ferry, Flights, Day Trip, Things To Do In Culebra - Your Complete Travel Guide, Santurce Street Art: San Juan's Graffiti Neighborhood, Marrakech to Fez by Train: Your Morocco Travel Guide, Puerto Rico Itinerary: The Ultimate Vacation Guide, Driving The Million Dollar Highway: A Complete Guide, 17 Incredible Things To Do In Taos: Your Taos Travel Guide, Top Road Trip Essentials To Pack & Not Leave at Home, Grab your mountain bike and hit the Ridgway Area Trails, Pretend to be a cowboy and take a horseback ride with, Walk the dirt street of Blair Street (historic red-light district), Wander down historical Main Street and peruse the shops, Hike the Sky Steps to get epic views of Durango, Head to the Horse Gulch Area for some mountain biking trails, See a cowboy music show at Bar D Chuckwagon, Do not pass other drivers unless there are passing lanes, Do not ride your brakes down the mountain, use your shifters instead, If a careless driver is behind, remain calm and pull over when your able allowing them to pass, Use caution when inclement weather is in the forecast. It's one of the nation’s most spectacular drives. We used the Million Dollar Highway to travel between the Durango North/Riverside KOA and the Ouray KOA. We started the scenic byway in the town of Durango and were set to climb about 5000ft of elevation up multiple passes. autumn road with yellow line goes from ouray to silverton colorado, the 'million dollar highway' with color, route 550 - million dollar highway stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The road winds and runs through scenic valleys that our nestled amongst towering mountain peaks that make for some pretty dramatic views. Deep in the center of the San Juan mountains is a stretch of highway known as the Million Dollar Highway. South to North or North to South. Established in 1874 as a mining settlement, Silverton is a tiny town of 600 inhabitants and like Ouray, Silverton is a beacon for outdoor enthusiast and history buffs. The road is kept open year-round. Mike says the drive went “surprisingly well”. By no means is the below list a comprehensive list of all the hikes in the area, but it is some of the favorites. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails.

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