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Free Traveling Guides » States » Colorado » Greater ColoradoOuray
The historic City of Ouray is the most populous city and the county seat of the Ouray County in Colorado. Ouray was a former mining town. The Camp Bird Mine, the second largest gold mine in Colorado, is still in operation in the city. The city was incorporated in 1876 and was named after Ouray, the chief of the Utes, a Native American tribe. This magnificent City is nestled in the San Juan Mountains to the southwest of Colorado. It is just 10 miles (16.1 km) northeast of Telluride and 40 miles (64 km) south of Montrose. The famous Red Mountain Pass that crests at nearly 11,000 ft (3,350 m) connects Ouray to Silverton and Durango.
The major attraction in the City is the Million Dollar Highway, a scenic drive along the Uncompahgre River. The Black Bear Road connects Ouray to nearby Telluride. Another point of tourist interest nearby is a wonderful spectacle called the Twin Falls, situated in the Yankee Boy Basin. Besides, the popular Ouray Hot Springs Swimming Pool also attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Box Canyon Falls, situated just a drive up the gorge, is also worth a visit.
Most of the buildings in the historic district of Ouray date back to the late 19th century and are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main historical attractions in the City include the Beaumont Hotel, the Ouray County Courthouse, Ouray City Hall, St. Joseph’s Miners’ Hospital, St. Elmo Hotel, Western Hotel, and Wright’s Opera House. The major tourist activities in the summer include four wheel drive expeditions and hiking into the panoramic San Juan Mountains.
Ouray is also home to the world’s first artificial ice-climbing Park. The Ouray Ice Park features a number of frozen waterfalls ranging from 80ft (24.4 m) to 200 ft (60.96 m) high. The Park is free for all and attracts thousands of climbers and mountaineers every year. The Park also hosts the annual Ice Festival, a weekend-long extravaganza of exhibitions, contests, and instructions with many of the top ice climbers of the world. Ouray is a perfect holiday destination and is often called the "Switzerland of America".
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