United States
Colorado (CO)
Silverton
Places to visit in Silverton
Million Dollar Highway
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Million Dollar Highway

See all things to do
See all things to do
Million Dollar Highway
5
About
Enjoy million-dollar views along this 25-mile highway that hugs the side of the mountain. It connects the Colorado towns of Silverton and Ouray while taking you past dramatic landscapes, from pine forests, valleys, and gorges to the snowcapped San Juan Mountains. The road is marked by hairpin turns, narrow lanes, steep drop-offs, and a lack of guardrails at some points, so drive carefully. A self-guided audio tour might help—you'll get to tidbits of the area's history along the way, too. There are cabins and camping areas where you can stay the night; you can also explore historic landmarks like the Ironton Townsite or hike to the summit of the surrounding peaks. – Tripadvisor
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Million Dollar Highway and nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
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Attractions
2 within 10 kms
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See what travellers are saying
  • jen
    Bixby, Oklahoma23 contributions
    Had to take a Valium
    Absolutely beautiful drive if you can take the no guard rails. I was so freaked out my husband asked if I would take a Valium…and lay the seat down…and put a coat over my head…so he could concentrate on driving. It’s a white knuckle drive but one you must do.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 January 2023
  • AuntieMame
    9 contributions
    A must DRIVE
    Every Fall we drive this route down to Durango. Every year it is magnificent. The colors are beyond beautiful and the weather can change at anytime. I have been there in the month of September and it snowed. There are wild Moose I recently learned down toward Red Mountain before you enter Silverton. Look to the east of the road along the water
    Visited October 2022
    Written 6 March 2023
  • Chesapeake Gal
    4 contributions
    Most spectacular road ever!
    This is the most spectacular road I've ever been on. I've driven through the alps and this was even more amazing. However, I will also add, it's the only time in my life I've literally been frozen with fear (fortunately I was a passenger, not driver!) . We were at one particularly treacherous point and a storm suddenly appeared which was not in the forecast. There was hail, lightening, and freezing rain. We finally found a point to pull off and made it through the route to Silverton. It was terrifying, but even the storm was spectacular since we were in the middle of the clouds with the storm surrounding us. Despite this, I recommend that if you are brave and don't have acrophobia, the views are worth it.
    Visited June 2022
    Written 26 April 2023
  • L M
    4 contributions
    Words cannot describe how beautiful it is
    It's the most amazing drive I have ever taken. Going from Ouray to Silverton is a white knuckler at first and unfortunately the driver misses the view because you do not want to take your eyes off of the road. My husband and I have our favorite spot where there is a steam that is hidden and we stop there every time and sit on a rock in the middle of the stream, fill up our water bottles with and enjoy the scenery.
    Visited September 2022
    Written 14 July 2023
  • christopherbO9687MP
    Acton, Massachusetts667 contributions
    Incredible scenic mountain road with little traffic to spoil the views
    The Million Dollar Highway is an incredible scenic mountain road with little traffic to spoil the views. Plan to take your time on this road; there are a lot of switchback curves (think 15 MPH speed limits on those stretches) and a lot of mule deer wandering next to the highway to avoid. Be sure your gas tank (or EV batteries) are full; towns with services or restaurants are few in the middle of this national forest. Also be sure your vehicle is in good shape; the brakes, steering system and engine will get a workout. I did part of this at night; you're not as tempted to be distracted by the great views but the curves can come upon you quickly.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 20 July 2023
  • NWATravelers1000
    Prosper, Texas215 contributions
    Beautiful, but...
    This drive through Colorado was Gorgeous..I guess. As the driver I did not experience the beauty much. Drivers really have no opportunity to take their eyes off the road. Be sure to allow enough time to pull off at the overlooks to experience views. The speed limit is safe enough but you know when a local is on your bumper wanting you to speed up. One should definitely schedule time to spend at Ouray. This is a great mountain town with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Plenty of great food spots at Ouray.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 9 August 2023
  • Debi
    Nekoosa, Wisconsin11 contributions
    Amazing drive! Do not miss this!!
    Do not miss this! The views are amazing! There are places without guardrails. If you’re afraid of heights, I’d say driving from Silverton to Ouray is better for the passenger. It was not as scary as I anticipated, and totally worth it! The driver really has to keep their eyes on the road, so they will miss some of the sights. 25 miles goes by really fast!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
750 reviews
Excellent
665
Very good
53
Average
20
Poor
6
Terrible
6
fratwin
Salina, KS332 contributions
Beautiful
Oct 2023 • Friends
If you can get here in the fall this is a great drive. The colors were absolutely beautiful. You do have to pay attention to the road, but there are places to pull over and take on the sights. Well worth the drive.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debi
Nekoosa, WI11 contributions
Amazing drive! Do not miss this!!
Sep 2023 • Couples
Do not miss this! The views are amazing! There are places without guardrails. If you’re afraid of heights, I’d say driving from Silverton to Ouray is better for the passenger. It was not as scary as I anticipated, and totally worth it! The driver really has to keep their eyes on the road, so they will miss some of the sights. 25 miles goes by really fast!
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike F
Antigo, WI254 contributions
So awesome!
Sep 2023 • Family
Unreal, so cool and loved every part of it. Even got stopped for road work and was fine with it! I wish we were returning through this area but this was a drive I won’t forget! If you ever have the chance, do it!
Written 8 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krr1975
Sevierville, TN963 contributions
Million Dollar Views
Sep 2023 • Friends
What a drive! Beautiful views! This is a must do drive. Well worth it! Several places to pull off for photos. Don’t miss this if I’m the area!
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NWATravelers1000
Prosper, TX215 contributions
Beautiful, but...
Jun 2023
This drive through Colorado was Gorgeous..I guess. As the driver I did not experience the beauty much. Drivers really have no opportunity to take their eyes off the road. Be sure to allow enough time to pull off at the overlooks to experience views. The speed limit is safe enough but you know when a local is on your bumper wanting you to speed up. One should definitely schedule time to spend at Ouray. This is a great mountain town with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Plenty of great food spots at Ouray.
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christopherbO9687MP
Acton, MA667 contributions
Incredible scenic mountain road with little traffic to spoil the views
Jul 2023
The Million Dollar Highway is an incredible scenic mountain road with little traffic to spoil the views. Plan to take your time on this road; there are a lot of switchback curves (think 15 MPH speed limits on those stretches) and a lot of mule deer wandering next to the highway to avoid.

Be sure your gas tank (or EV batteries) are full; towns with services or restaurants are few in the middle of this national forest. Also be sure your vehicle is in good shape; the brakes, steering system and engine will get a workout. I did part of this at night; you're not as tempted to be distracted by the great views but the curves can come upon you quickly.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L M
4 contributions
Words cannot describe how beautiful it is
Sep 2022
It's the most amazing drive I have ever taken. Going from Ouray to Silverton is a white knuckler at first and unfortunately the driver misses the view because you do not want to take your eyes off of the road. My husband and I have our favorite spot where there is a steam that is hidden and we stop there every time and sit on a rock in the middle of the stream, fill up our water bottles with and enjoy the scenery.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carrie W
3 contributions
Wow, this is the most beautiful place ever
Oct 2022 • Couples
Perfectly Beautiful and Kind of Frightening! Everyone must check it out at least once. We didn't realize that there are no guardrails and that the elevation was so high. That didn't change the fact that this is probably the most spectacular view in the world.
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scenic581487
3 contributions
BEST DRIVE OF THE TRIP
Jun 2023 • Family
We have came to Ouray twice and made day trips to Silverton for food and activities. Best views, photo opps galore, my favorite.
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivier-Laurent M
Al Fayyum, Egypt10 contributions
AMAZING MOTORCYCLE ROAD
Jun 2023 • Solo
Sunny early morning before anyone . 6 am cold and beautiful.started in Taos NM through the SanJuan National Forest ( this road was designed for bikers)
So many Elks and dears on the side of the road grazing 😊
From Durango on up to Silverton get ready for a Biker Eticket (Dysney trill rides) I like to kick ass on the curves and baby it was knee down all the way .
This 550 is just made for bikes !❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Written 11 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Million Dollar Highway (Silverton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Million Dollar Highway