Million Dollar Highway
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Sue Wolfe
About this spot
The 25-mile stretch of US 550 from Ouray [pronounced yur - ay] to Silverton is known as the Million Dollar Highway. No one knows how the road got its name. Some say it cost a million dollars to build in the 1880s. Another suggestion is the name came from the gold mining region it runs through. Others say the views are worth millions. All that visit, would agree with the later statement. In fact, it is considered one of the ten best scenic highways in the United States.
The elevation at Red Mountain Pass is 11,018 ft.—the highest point on the road. It straddles the divide that separates Ouray and San Juan counties. There is no mystery as to how Red Mountain Pass obtained its name. The three peaks in the Pass [Red Mountain #1, Red Mountain #2, and Red Mountain #3] all get their color from the deposits of iron oxide in the rock.
One thing you need to know about the road—it can be tricky to drive at certain times of the year. In places, the drop off is quite steep and there are no guardrails. It makes the road easy to plow in winter but there is nothing to keep you from sliding off the hairpin turns. The trickiest part of the highway is located on the stretch between Red Mountain Pass through the Uncompahgre Gorge. If you are afraid of heights, consider driving the road from Silverton to Ouray which puts you on the inside of the road, instead of on the cliff edge. Speed limits are slow—10-25mph. Watch out for wildlife—there are moose, deer, and elk in the area.
While the road is narrow, there are plenty of places to pull over and take pictures—some just wide enough for your car…others more official. Caution should be used when exiting and entering the highway.
Fall is the best time to drive the Million Dollar Highway. Peak season varies, but generally falls from the last week of September to the second week of October. Temps and storms can shorten this 3-week period. Fall is also the busiest time to visit. Scope out your locations and show up before sunrise. Parking is limited in many of the prime viewpoints and better to be early and sipping coffee then arrive late and find there is no room for your tripod.
The elevation at Red Mountain Pass is 11,018 ft.—the highest point on the road. It straddles the divide that separates Ouray and San Juan counties. There is no mystery as to how Red Mountain Pass obtained its name. The three peaks in the Pass [Red Mountain #1, Red Mountain #2, and Red Mountain #3] all get their color from the deposits of iron oxide in the rock.
One thing you need to know about the road—it can be tricky to drive at certain times of the year. In places, the drop off is quite steep and there are no guardrails. It makes the road easy to plow in winter but there is nothing to keep you from sliding off the hairpin turns. The trickiest part of the highway is located on the stretch between Red Mountain Pass through the Uncompahgre Gorge. If you are afraid of heights, consider driving the road from Silverton to Ouray which puts you on the inside of the road, instead of on the cliff edge. Speed limits are slow—10-25mph. Watch out for wildlife—there are moose, deer, and elk in the area.
While the road is narrow, there are plenty of places to pull over and take pictures—some just wide enough for your car…others more official. Caution should be used when exiting and entering the highway.
Fall is the best time to drive the Million Dollar Highway. Peak season varies, but generally falls from the last week of September to the second week of October. Temps and storms can shorten this 3-week period. Fall is also the busiest time to visit. Scope out your locations and show up before sunrise. Parking is limited in many of the prime viewpoints and better to be early and sipping coffee then arrive late and find there is no room for your tripod.
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