Silverton, Colorado

Boulder has the Flatirons, world-class trails and an outdoor culture that is difficult to beat. But every once in a while, even the most dedicated Buff needs to point the car toward another corner of Colorado.

Silverton should be high on that list.

Tucked into the San Juan Mountains at 9,318 feet, Silverton is a former mining town with a year-round population of only about 700. Its historic downtown is designated a National Historic Landmark, and the town remains surrounded by some of the most dramatic high-country terrain in Colorado.

For Boulder adventurers accustomed to looking at the Flatirons every morning, Silverton offers something completely different: higher elevations, fewer people, enormous mountains and a sense of remoteness that is becoming increasingly difficult to find in Colorado.

The Road Trip From Boulder

This isn’t a quick Front Range getaway. Silverton is far enough from Boulder that it deserves at least a long weekend, and preferably several days.

The final approach alone is part of the adventure. U.S. 550 winds through the San Juans and includes the famous Million Dollar Highway near Ouray, one of Colorado’s most spectacular mountain drives.

Once Silverton appears in the Animas River valley, the long drive suddenly makes sense. Historic buildings sit beneath massive peaks, and the town feels less like a conventional resort destination and more like a piece of old Colorado that somehow survived.

On the Million Dollar Highway

Why Silverton Hits Different

Silverton was established in 1874 during the region’s mining boom, and its historic character remains one of its defining features. The National Park Service designated the Silverton Historic District a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

Unlike Colorado’s larger resort communities, Silverton still feels like a mountain town first.

Then there are the mountains.

Hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers can head directly into serious alpine country, while the local Silverton Singletrack Society is developing the ambitious Baker’s Park Trail System. The long-term plan calls for nearly 30 miles of multi-use, bike-optimized singletrack on public lands adjacent to town. The first seven-mile intermediate loop opened in 2024, with additional construction planned as the system expands.

That’s another reason Silverton should be on the radar of Boulder mountain bikers.

High-Alpine Adventures

One of the area’s signature adventures is Ice Lake Basin, famous for intensely blue alpine water surrounded by towering San Juan peaks.

This is not a casual sea-level stroll. Silverton itself begins above 9,000 feet, and many adventures climb substantially higher. Visitors arriving from Boulder have an altitude advantage over travelers coming from lower elevations, but the San Juans can still remind anyone who’s boss.

Another excellent option is Highland Mary Lakes, where hikers encounter classic Colorado high country: alpine tundra, lakes, wildflowers and huge mountain views.

Summer weather also deserves respect. Start early, keep an eye on developing clouds and be prepared to turn around when thunderstorms threaten.

Ice Lake Basin

A Colorado Railroad Legend

Silverton also offers an adventure that doesn’t require hiking boots.

The historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has operated between Durango and Silverton since 1882. The railroad follows the Animas River through remote sections of the San Juan National Forest, including scenery that cannot be reached by highway.

The railroad itself is a National Historic Landmark, making it one of those rare Colorado experiences where the transportation is as memorable as the destination.

For someone accustomed to Colorado road trips, arriving in Silverton behind a historic locomotive provides an entirely different perspective on the mountains.

Winter Is a Different Animal

When snow arrives, Silverton becomes even more serious.

Silverton Mountain is nothing like a conventional Colorado ski resort. Its guided operation accesses up to 1,819 acres of backcountry-style terrain, with no groomed runs or traditional cut trails. Guided groups combine lift access with hiking into steep bowls, chutes and other advanced terrain.

Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe are required for skiers and snowboarders, and Silverton Mountain also offers single-run and full-day heliskiing options.

In other words, this isn’t the place to learn your first parallel turn.

For experienced skiers and riders, however, it’s one of Colorado’s most unusual mountain experiences.

Eat, Explore and Stay Downtown

Part of Silverton’s appeal is that after spending the day in enormous mountains, you return to an extremely small town.

Historic Greene Street and the surrounding downtown area are lined with locally owned restaurants, shops, galleries and lodging. The town itself reports more than a dozen lodging establishments along with coffee shops, restaurants and breweries packed into its walkable historic core.

Longtime local stops include Handlebars Food & Saloon and Kendall Mountain Cafe, while Golden Block Brewery provides another popular post-adventure option. Travelers should check current operating days and hours before arriving because schedules can change seasonally.

For an overnight base, The Wyman Hotel occupies a restored historic building right downtown, while other inns, hotels and vacation rentals provide additional choices.

During peak summer weekends and fall-color season, booking ahead is a smart move.

Downtown Silverton, Colorado

What Boulder Visitors Should Know

Silverton’s elevation changes the equation. Drink plenty of water, don’t underestimate the altitude and give yourself time to adjust before tackling a major hike.

Cell coverage becomes unreliable quickly once you leave town, so download maps and trail information beforehand. Popular trailheads can also become crowded during summer weekends, making an early start or weekday adventure especially worthwhile.

Most importantly, treat the San Juan high country carefully. Stay on established trails, pack out what you bring in and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Silverton’s wild character is exactly what makes it special.

From the Flatirons to the San Juans

Silverton will never feel like Boulder.

That’s precisely the point.

It’s smaller, higher, quieter and dramatically more remote. Instead of the Flatirons rising above town, enormous San Juan peaks seem to surround you in every direction.

For Boulder residents and CU students looking to experience another side of Colorado, Silverton delivers history, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, railroading and some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the state.

Sometimes the best Colorado adventure is the one that requires driving beyond the familiar mountains.

From the Flatirons to the San Juans, Silverton is worth the journey.

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