If you’re planning to drive the Million Dollar Highway, save these Million Dollar Highway stops for your Colorado road trip itinerary. We drove it the week of September 21-24 with our pup Tira, and every pullout felt like a postcard.

This is part of our fall Colorado road trip series. We started at Maroon Bells, then drove the Million Dollar Highway.

Watch the Colorado Fall Road Trip

Want to see it before you go? We filmed this whole fall road trip in two parts, so you can ride along with us.

Colorado Fall Road Trip Part 1

Follow along as the trip begins.

Colorado Fall Road Trip Part 2

The second half of our fall road trip.

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About the Million Dollar Highway

The Million Dollar Highway is the stretch of US 550 between Ouray and Silverton in the San Juan Mountains. It’s only 25 miles, but plan on about 45 minutes of driving time without stops, with slow speeds and tight hairpin curves. The road was first built as a toll road in the 1880s, and it’s known for sharp curves with no guardrails and some of the best roadside scenery in the country.

Planning your Million Dollar Highway drive?

Base yourself in Ouray, Silverton or Ridgway so you can take your time on the drive. Find pet friendly stays with our links:

Ouray: Expedia | Vrbo
Silverton: Expedia | Vrbo
Ridgway: Expedia | Vrbo

Flying in? Book flights from Denver to Montrose (closest to Ouray) or Durango (closest to Silverton), then grab a rental car in Montrose or Durango.

Want to see the high mountain passes without driving them yourself? Book an Ophir Pass jeep tour.

Or browse stays on the map below:

Our Route Driving the Million Dollar Highway

We drove from Aspen to Ouray, then took the Million Dollar Highway south with the stops below, ending in Silverton. From there we headed back through Ouray to Telluride.

Million Dollar Highway: Ouray to Silverton

About 24 miles on US 550 | Tap the pins to see our stops

A note on Ophir Pass: We originally planned to take Ophir Pass from Silverton straight to Telluride. It is an unpaved mountain pass, and even with our Lexus GX550 Overtrail Plus, which is built for rough mountain roads, we decided to skip it for safety because of the weather that day. If conditions look questionable, do not push it. The drive back through Ouray is beautiful too. If you still want to experience it without driving it yourself, book an Ophir Pass jeep tour.

Which Direction Should You Drive the Million Dollar Highway?

Ouray to Silverton (southbound):

This is the direction we drove. Heading south from Ouray puts you on the steep outside edge as you climb through the Uncompahgre Gorge with no guardrails or shoulders. The views are unreal, but if you or your passenger are nervous about heights, consider the other direction.

Silverton to Ouray (northbound): 

Going this direction, much of the drive hugs the mountainside with only a couple of drop off sections, so it’s the better choice if you are very afraid of heights. Use lower gears on the descent into Ouray so your brakes don’t overheat.

Why Not Both?

We actually drove the Million Dollar Highway both ways, south from Ouray to Silverton and then north again on our way to Telluride, and we loved it in each direction. Every stretch looks completely different depending on which way you are facing. If you are comfortable with heights and want the full experience, drive it out and back. Just give yourself extra time, since you will want to stop for photos twice.

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Best Million Dollar Highway Stops From Ouray to Silverton

1. Switzerland of America Sign

Ouray is nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” for the steep, jagged peaks that wrap around the town on nearly every side. The sign is a classic photo stop and the perfect way to kick off the drive before heading south on the Million Dollar Highway.

2. Bear Creek Falls

Just south of Ouray, Bear Creek Falls is a quick stop with a big payoff. The waterfall drops right below the highway, so you get the view without a hike. Pull into the small paved parking area by the bridge and walk to the overlook. Parking is limited to a few spots, so be patient in peak season.

We pulled off to see it, but it was raining so hard that we could barely see anything. If the weather is on your side, it is worth the stop. For the strongest flow, visit in late spring or early summer during snowmelt, since by fall the creek can slow to a trickle.

3. Crystal Lake and Hayden Trailhead

This was one of our favorite stops. Crystal Lake sits in Ironton Park, about 6 miles south of Ouray, and it is a popular pullout along the highway. On a calm day the lake reflects the mountains like a mirror, and in fall it is surrounded by color, with the Red Mountains across the road and yellow aspens all around. If you have more time, hike a short way up the Hayden Trail to see the aspens up close. The full trail is a very steep climb, so just go as far as you are comfortable.

4. Red Mountain Overlook

This is where the Red Mountains live up to their name, with rusty red and orange peaks colored by iron in the rock. Seeing those colors on the mountains was so cool, and they were even more beautiful framed by the golden aspens. We even spotted a few patches of orange aspens mixed in with the gold, which made the red peaks look even more striking. Look across the valley and you will also spot the Yankee Girl Mine, an old silver mine from the 1880s.

Just up the road, you will drive over Red Mountain Pass, the highest point of the drive at 11,018 feet. We did not stop at the summit, but there are a few pullouts at the top if you want a photo.

5. Silverton Overlook

A beautiful stop overlooking the town of Silverton as you come down into the valley. It’s a great spot for photos before you roll into town.

6. Silverton downtown

Explore the historic downtown. It was starting to pour by the time we got there, so we only drove through, but even that made us want to start planning another trip just to stop and explore.

7. Christ of the Mines Shrine

Once you are in Silverton, head up to the Christ of the Mines Shrine for a view over the whole town. The shrine sits on the slope of Anvil Mountain, and you reach it by taking 15th Street up the scenic drive from town. The road is unpaved but well maintained, and after you park there is a short walk up to the shrine.

This was the most peaceful stop of our entire trip. It gave me a moment to just be still and pray, and if that is your kind of thing, I highly recommend it. It is also a great spot for more fall color, since parts of the road are lined with aspens, and the view of the mountains is just incredible.

8. Bonus Stop: Berry Bench

On the scenic drive up to the Christ of the Mines Shrine, keep an eye out for the Berry Bench. This simple wooden bench with its little orange nameplate sits right on the hillside, looking straight down over the colorful rooftops of Silverton with the mountains rising behind the town. In fall, the slopes are streaked with golden aspens, and even on a cloudy day it was one of the prettiest views of our whole drive. Take a seat, slow down and just soak it all in. It is the perfect spot for a photo before you head up to the shrine.

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Is the Million Dollar Highway Scary?

It can be if you are nervous about heights. The road has steep drop offs, tight hairpin curves and very few guardrails. But speed limits drop to 10 to 25 mph in many sections, so the drive feels slower and more manageable than you might expect. If you are nervous, drive north from Silverton to Ouray to stay on the inside lane, and use the pullouts to let faster drivers pass.

Tips for Driving the Million Dollar Highway

Drive it in daylight so you can actually enjoy the views and see the curves. Check road and weather conditions before you go, especially in fall when snow can show up early. On the steep descents, shift into a lower gear instead of riding your brakes, which helps keep them from overheating.

Pack a jacket, since mountain weather changes fast (we got caught in downpours at Bear Creek Falls and Silverton). See everything we bring in our Road Trip Essentials and Pet Travel Gear for Tira pages, and grab our free road trip packing checklist before you go.

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