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What to See &
Do | Where to Stay | Camping
Silverton - High in the San Juans
High in the San Juan Range,
north of Durango, the whole town is designated a National
Historic Landmark. With a permanent population of 800,
this living example of a Victorian mining town is
complete with a fine old hotel (The Grand Imperial), a
courthouse with a gold dome, a nostalgic main street
complete with false fronts, old brick buildings and a
passenger train station which still operates as the
terminus for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge
Railway, bringing travelers from Durango
each day.
Silverton is busiest during summer days
when the train is in and visitors have about two hours to
eat, shop, look at the town and then return to their
train cars. The wise ones stay overnight to fully sample
the delights of this unique place. It is possible to
drive one way and take the train one-way. Many groups of
people do this by sharing the driving chores. Put this
together with an overnight stay in one of Silverton's
hotels or motels and you've got it made! For railway
information and reservations, call (970) 387-5416
(Silverton), or (970) 247-2733 (Durango).
What to See & Do
Silverton is a time-capsule. In the late
1800s, gold and silver mines were developed, thus opening
up several towns in this alpine area, among them Ouray
and Lake City. Silverton, in those days, was a bustling,
brawling town -- with 32 gambling halls and saloons and a
street of brothels (Blair Street). Even now, the town is
isolated by its location surrounded by the high San Juan
Mountains, including Storm Peak (the highest with an
elevation of 13,487 feet). The town itself is over 9,000
feet above sea level. The winters are exceedingly long in
San Juan County and agriculture is nonexistent because of
the very short growing season.
The town is located 43 miles north of
Durango, on the scenic byway
known as the San Juan Skyway. North of town is the
short but challenging "Million Dollar Highway" to
Ouray. Telluride
is about four hours away.
Fishing in the area is pretty well
restricted to several small lakes which do have good
trout fishing. Molas, Little Molas and
Andrews lakes are located a few miles south of
Silverton, just off Highway 550. Several forest lakes are
off the same highway north of Silverton along Forest Road
#585. A trail heads from the South Mineral
Campground along the South Fork of the creek to four
little lakes where there are cutthroat trout in good
number.
A popular summer activity is jeep touring,
using the network of old mining roads and trails through
the high alpine area. These roads include the Black
Bear Pass Road (west of Hwy. 550, near the Red
Mountain summit) and the Scenic Byway which loops
from Silverton to Ouray and Lake City. The byway, suited
only for 4WD vehicles, is reached by driving to the north
end of Silverton and continuing past the mine operations,
along the creek.
Ophir Pass Road, west of Silverton,
is a relatively easy 4WD experience and connects the area
with Telluride. The road is found five miles north of
town via Hwy. 550. It passes the townsite of Old Ophir
which is 3.5 miles from the pass. A few people still live
here although the new Ophir townsite was developed to the
west near Telluride. For jeep rentals, call (970) 387-
5721 or 387 9990. For jeep tours, phone (970) 387 5372.
Wyman Hotel, (970) 387-5372 or
800-609-7845
This is the most comfortable and satisfying of the
regular hotels in Silverton. It's located at the corner
of Greene and 14th and each of the 18 rooms has a private
bath. The building first opened in 1902, and has a long
history in providing accommodations for visitors to
Silverton. It's listed on the National register of
Historic Buildings. A full breakfast is served, and video
movies are available to guests. This is a no-smoking
hotel.
Teller House, 1250 Greene Street, (970)
387-5423
This small hotel is located on top of the French Bakery
Restaurant, and that is where guests have a full
breakfast as part of the room fare. There are well
furnished private rooms as well as dorms for men and
women. Hostelers are welcome.
Wingate House, 1045 Snowdon Street, (970)
387-5713
This bed and breakfast home is an authentic restored
Victorian, built in 1886. While the beds are in the home,
the full breakfast is served at the French Bakery
Restaurant. The kitchen in the house is available to
guests.
Camping
Silverton Lakes Campground, (970) 387-5721
With RV hookups and tent sites, this campground is
located northeast of Silverton with only a short walk to
the Animus River. There is a store & laundry and
jeeps may be rented here.
Nearby towns and attractions,
Go to Durango, Cortez,
Telluride, Ouray,
Mesa Verde N.P.
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