High in the rugged San Juan Mountains, where the air is thinner, the skies impossibly blue, and the ghosts of the mining boom still echo off steep canyon walls, Silverton, Colorado stands as a rugged outpost of adventure, beauty, and old-school grit. It’s a place where Victorian-era saloons brush shoulders with towering peaks, where trains whistle through pine forests, and where time slows to match the winding pace of the mountain roads.
Whether you’re hiking alpine lakes, hunting for crystals, soaking in nearby hot springs, or sipping whiskey in a bar that hasn’t changed since 1880, Silverton offers a multi-day trip rich with wonder, wildness, and a dash of weird. Here’s your ultimate guide, true, creatively crafted, and jam-packed with things to do for families, solo travelers, RVers, couples, and every kind of crew in between.
🏔️ DAY ONE: Welcome to Silverton – Grit, Glory & Ghost Town Vibes
Morning: Arrival via Million Dollar Highway (Scenic + Thrilling)
Getting to Silverton is an adventure in itself. If you’re coming from Ouray, prepare for the Million Dollar Highway (US 550), a jaw-dropping, guardrail-free, cliff-clinging drive through red rock canyons and mountain switchbacks. It’s one of the most scenic (and exhilarating) drives in North America. Stop at Bear Creek Falls and Red Mountain Pass for some early-morning jaw-droppers and photo ops.
Check-In Options:
The Wyman Hotel – A beautifully restored boutique hotel with hip design and luxe mountain vibes. Grand Imperial Hotel – Built in 1883, this historic charmer is rumored to be haunted (perfect for ghost lovers). Silverton Lakes RV Resort – Mountain views and full hookups just minutes from town. Kendall Mountain Lodge – Cozy, quiet, and close to ski slopes and trailheads.
Midday: Downtown Stroll & Step into the Past
Walk Silverton’s dirt streets, yes, they’re still dirt—and feel like you’ve stepped into a living Wild West town.
Silverton Historic Walking Tour (self-guided) takes you past frontier-era buildings, miners’ homes, and the old jail. Visit the San Juan County Historical Society Museum, housed in the old county jail, complete with creepy cells and mining exhibits.
Lunch Stop:
Try High Noon Hamburgers, a no-fuss grill with juicy burgers and green chili. Or sip soup in a teacup at Thee Pitts Again, a BBQ joint with a quirky pink exterior and a Guy Fieri-approved menu.
Afternoon: Explore or Ride the Rails
If the season’s right, hop aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, an old steam-powered train that winds through canyons and past waterfalls. The journey between Durango and Silverton is legendary. Or if you’re already in town, just tour the railyard, snap pics of the vintage trains, and watch them chug in.
More into nature? Hike Kendall Mountain Trail for panoramic views of town below, or take a scenic drive up Cinnamon Pass for epic photography, wildflowers, and the chance to spot mountain goats.
Evening: Western Eats & Nightlife That Echoes
Dinner at Handlebars Food & Saloon is a must. It’s kitschy, wood-paneled, and full of taxidermy, perfect for families or friend groups looking to sink into hearty food like elk burgers or trout.
Nightlife in Silverton is mellow but memorable. Catch live music or a local character or two at:
Avalanche Brewing Co. – Excellent beer, mountain vibes, and fire pits. The Shady Lady Saloon – Once a brothel, now a rowdy pub with serious character.
🧭 DAY TWO: Adventure, Altitude & Oddball Fun
Morning: Off-Roading or Ghost Hunting
Fuel up at Coffee Bear with espresso and a breakfast burrito, then set off for an epic day.
Silverton is famous for off-roading and OHV trails. Rent a Jeep, ATV, or side-by-side from Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures and hit:
Animas Forks Ghost Town – High-elevation cabins and mining ruins frozen in time Engineer Pass or Ophir Pass – High-clearance routes with thrilling drop-offs and unmatched views
Prefer solitude and serenity?
Hike Ice Lake Basin – A challenging but incredibly rewarding trek to electric-blue glacial lakes. Try Crystal Lake for a shorter, family-friendly trail with postcard-perfect scenery.
Midday: Picnic or Crystal Hunt
Bring a picnic or grab lunch at Brown Bear Cafe, a local favorite. Then head to Eureka, an abandoned mining site along the river where you can pan for gold or search for sparkly quartz and garnets.
Kids (and adults!) will love:
Silverton Rock Shop – A wild and wacky storefront filled with crystals, fossils, and petrified oddities. Mayflower Gold Mill Tour – An underground mine tour with real equipment and dark, spooky tunnels.
Afternoon: Restore or Create
Need to unwind? Try a yoga class or sound bath at Silverton Movement Center, a peaceful space in the mountains. Hobbyists can take a photography tour, plein air painting class, or even a blacksmith workshop depending on the season.
Evening: Pizza & Stargazing
Dinner at Golden Block Brewery for wood-fired pizza and beer brewed with mountain snowmelt. Afterwards, find a quiet overlook near Molas Pass for one of the darkest skies in the U.S., bring a blanket and watch the Milky Way unravel overhead.
🧳 DAY THREE: Surrounding Escapes & Final Finds
Morning: Day Trip to Ouray or Lake City
If you’re ready to explore beyond, drive to Ouray, the “Switzerland of America,” for:
Box Canyon Falls Ouray Hot Springs Historic Main Street shops & ice cream Or head southeast to Lake City, a peaceful gem with fewer crowds, charming cafes, and prime fishing spots.
Alternatively, stay local and antique hop at:
Fetch’s Mining & Mercantile – Oddities galore Silverton Antique Mall – With everything from mining tools to vintage cookbooks
Midday: Outdoor Fun for Families
Families will love:
Kendall Mountain Recreation Area – Great for skiing in winter or hiking in summer Silverton Mini-Golf – Rustic fun for all ages Molasses Mine Adventure Park – A seasonal family park with ziplining, climbing, and quirky mining-themed games
Afternoon: Final Sips & Souvenirs
Swing by Smedley’s Ice Cream Parlor for a sweet treat before you leave, or grab a final drink at Tea, Books, and Rocks, yes, it’s a bookstore, tea room, and mineral shop rolled into one.
Before heading out, grab souvenirs like:
A hand-forged knife from a local smith San Juan-spun yarn Handpicked crystals or gold flakes
🏕️ WHO THIS TRIP IS FOR:
Families: Train rides, mines, and wide-open spaces Couples: Stargazing, spa time, mountain romance Solo Travelers: Quiet trails, crystal shops, photography havens Friends/Girls Trips: Shopping, soaking, sipping craft beer Guys Trips: OHV trails, whiskey bars, hiking and ghost towns RV Travelers: Scenic campsites and plenty of hookups near town Adventure Seekers: High passes, tough hikes, and epic adrenaline
🧡 THE SILVERTON STATE OF MIND
In Silverton, it’s impossible to rush. The mountains won’t let you. They rise and fall like chapters in a story that’s still being written, one with pickaxes and wildflowers, starlight and steam whistles, whiskey shots and waterfalls. You’ll leave with red dust on your boots, a few minerals in your pockets, and the hum of the high country still singing in your ears.
Hagan Happenstance 