#27 of 79 · mountain
Million Dollar Highway
Ouray, Colorado → Silverton
40 km · Jun – Sep · Challenging
US 550 between two mining towns, no guardrail on the drop, Red Mountain in the windscreen. Short enough to turn around and do again.
Viewpoints
Red Mountain Pass
3,358 m. The old mines rust in the colour of the rock.
20 km
3,358 m
Ouray amphitheatre
The town in a box canyon. Look back as you climb.
4 km
2,400 m
- Road
- Two-lane, steep, exposed. Ice and snow well into June at Red Mountain Pass. The outside edge is the story; stay off it.
Tips
- 01
Ouray to Silverton
Southbound puts the drop on the passenger side. Kinder on the nerves.
- 02
Not in a storm
This is a fair-weather road. The drop does not forgive.
From the road
2 notes
Field reports from people who have driven this route.
Driven this road? Join as a driver to leave a note from the road.
Jake R.
Aug 2025
Ouray south so the drop sat on the passenger side. Red Mountain still rust-red. No guardrail, as advertised. Hands at ten and two the whole way.
Elena V.
Jun 2025
Ice at the pass in early June. We waited an hour for it to soften. This is not a road you argue with.
