Telluride, CO
A Rocky Mountain Paradise for Adventure Seekers and Nature Lovers
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 11/11/2024
Telluride was our next destination after we departed Durango. We decided to drive north on route 550 since our motel was already on the north side of Durango on that very same highway. And we knew that route 550 would provide some very scenic mountain views ! For those of you who are familiar with Colorado, the "Million Dollar Highway" runs from Silverton to Ouray - and this is exactly the route that we followed.
The route 550 drive is pretty epic, with mountains towering over you and crazy twists and turns. You'll pass by old mining towns and see some seriously stunning scenery. The Million Dollar Highway is a must-see, but be prepared for some heart-pounding moments. Once you reach Telluride, you'll be greeted by a charming town nestled in a valley, surrounded by breathtaking beauty.
Interesting Telluride Facts
- Telluride claims it had the first electric streetlights in the world. Back in 1890, the need to process all the goldminers’ ore led to harnessing the hydropower of the San Miguel River at the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant.
- Mount Wilson (26 miles from Telluride) was the inspiration for the Coors mountains on the brewery’s logo.
- Butch Cassidy's first bank robbery was in Telluride. Butch got nearly $25,000 from the robbery. The movie Butch Cassidy & the SunDance Kid were filmed in & around Telluride.
- Telluride is the home of Telluride Regional Airport, the highest commercial airport in the continent at just over 9,000 feet above sea level.
- Bridal Veil Falls is found in Telluride and it’s the tallest free-falling waterfall in the entire state of Colorado at more than 360 feet.
- Telluride has the distinction of being the first town in the world to have AC power.
- The Telluride Gondola is the first, and so far only, gondola offering free public transportation in the United States. It’s been in service since December 20, 1996. The gondolar links the two lodging centers (town of Telluride and Mountain Village). The gondola system is run by "wind power". It is a 13 minute ride from the Telluride base station to Mountain Village.
- Telluride won the America’s Best Ski Resort in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards from 2012 – 2014.
- Telluride’s town shuttle, called the Galloping Goose, is free for humans and their canine companions.
- The longest ski run at Telluride Resort is the "Galloping Goose" at 4.6 miles.
- The town of Telluride is eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long, and the entire box canyon it sits in, is surrounded by 13 and 14 thousand foot peaks. The elevation of the main street in Telluride is 8,750 feet.
- Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964.
- Telluride Webcams can be found here.
- Since 1974, Telluride has hosted the Telluride Film Festival, a prestigious event that draws filmmakers and cinephiles from around the world. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and impressive premieres, the festival has a reputation for showcasing future Oscar-winning films.
- Telluride offers extensive hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing options. Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall, is a popular hiking destination.
Frequently Asked Questions about Telluride
- What is Telluride’s Altitude: The elevation of the town is 8,750 feet above sea level. The town is situated at the local minimum elevation, so there is virtually nowhere to go but up from there. The surrounding mountains reach heights of 12,000 to 14,000 feet.
- Will I Experience Altitude Sickness: You may notice the effects of the altitude immediately and it may take several of days to get acclimated. You may experience shortness of breath, quickened pulse, and light-headedness. It usually gets better in a few days with rest and plenty of hydration.
- What does the Gondola to Mountain Village cost: The gondola is free to pedestrians and skiers who want to travel between Telluride and Mountain Village. Mountain bikers and hikers can also ride the gondola to access the ski area trails. There are handicap accessible cars as well as cabins designated for pets.
- What is Telluride Weather like: This location provides some of the nicest weather in North America. Telluride boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, and if it not snowing or sprinkling, Telluride is pure sunshine. Winters are mild in comparison to other resorts to the north. Summers are comfortable days and cool nights. The air is dry here with low humidity, which may impact people used to higher humidity.
- Is Parking in Telluride Difficult: No, free parking is available in several locations around the Village, including; the Gondola parking garage, Meadows Run parking, Heritage parking garage, Town Hall Plaza parking, South Village parking center and North Village parking center. Some of the side streets allow free two-hour parking, and a few back streets have unlimited parking, however, because Telluride is very walkable, once you are parked it is simple to move about the downtown area. Here is a link to a Telluride Parking location map.
- Accomodations in Telluride: There are approximately 110 hotels in Telluride, even more if you consider that there a number to be found in the Mountain Village area above Telluride. We selected the Ice House Condos & Suites (via Search Expedia) because it had parking and is located close to the gondola and places to eat. Here is a link to a Google Search Result for hotels in Telluride.
- Where are places to eat in Telluride: There is a range of eateries, so you have a choice of locations & cuisine. Here is a link to a Google Search Results list for places to eat in Telluride.
Where is Telluride Colorado Located?
Telluride & Durango had been in our plans since day zero, we knew we wanted to explore both areas. The drive north from Durango was exciting as it passes through some amazing mountains & passes. The route we used (route 550) is 120 miles in length.
The Million Dollar Highway is part of the San Juan Skyway and is one of the most spectacular drives in Colorado. The road climbs up to 3 very high mountain passes; Coal Bank Pass (10,640 feet), Molas Pass (10,970 feet) and Red Mountain Pass (11,018 feet). The stretch between Silverton and Ouray, the part everyone talks about, is only 25 miles in length but takes about 42 minutes to traverse.
You will drive by the Yankee Girl Silver Mine while you are on the Red Mountain Pass, which dates from 1882. That mine was owned by the famous industrialists James McKay and W. J. Hammond.
You will note that there are no guard rails on the Million Dollar Highway and that is because the snow plow operators need to be able to push the snow off the highway. It does tend to add a level of danger to the drive, as the lack of guard rails and very few turnouts add a lot of stress to this drive!
There is a lot of information available about this area, click here to view a Google Search Results list for that topic.
Where is Silverton, CO Located?
The first town we came across driving north, was Silverton, CO. Even though we had only driven 50 miles since Durango, all of that was on steep mountain uphills & downhills and we were ready for some vehicle gas & coffee, we decided to stop and take care of those necessities. This is a more isolated part of Colorado, for example, Silverton is the only incorporated town in San Juan County.
We found a coffee shop in Silverton (the Coffee Bear) and the coffee was excellent and the pastries were really good! If you are ever in the Silverton area, do yourself a favor and try to stop at the Coffee Bear and give them a try - you will be glad that you did. You can view their menu on their website link, and we can testify to the fact that the coffee and baked goods we had were excellent.
Silverton stands as a testament to Colorado's Wild West heritage and alpine beauty. This charming town, surrounded by towering peaks and alpine meadows, exudes a frontier ambiance with its well-preserved Victorian architecture. The heart of Silverton lies in its historic district, where you can step back in time to explore saloons, boutique shops, and the famous Blair Street, known for its colorful past as a red-light district.
Silverton is a very small town, population was 622 in 2020. Originally called "Bakers Park", Silverton sits in a flat area of the Animas River valley (at 9,318 feet above sea level) and it is surrounded by steep peaks. Most of the peaks surrounding Silverton are thirteeners, the highest being Storm Peak, at 13,487 feet. The town is less than 15 miles from 7 of Colorado's 53 fourteeners, and is known as one of the premier gateways into the Colorado backcountry.
Silverton offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding, and hunting. It's also the terminus of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which offers steam train rides from Durango to Silverton.
More Info for Silverton, CO
Image Credits:
- The large image at the beginning of the Silverton section of this page, was taken from US 550 on the mountains above Silverton. It is the property of Daniel Schwen via Wikipedia Commons using the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED License.
- All other images, unless otherwise noted, are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Exploring Telluride, CO
Telluride Gondola
Rocky Mountain Elk
Bridal Veil Falls
Idarado Pandora Mill
Mining Remains
Telluride FallsAs you approach Telluride, the dramatic scenery takes center stage. Surrounded by towering peaks and framed by the rugged beauty of the Rockies, the town welcomes you with open arms. The historic architecture of Victorian-era buildings adds a touch of old-world charm, while the crisp mountain air signals the beginning of your alpine adventure.
At the entrance to Telluride, there was a large field where over two dozen Elk were grazing. These animals were not fenced in, they were just hanging out and grazing. Despite appearances, elk are sensitive to human presence and prefer to be left alone. Yet the migratory nature of the species means that they can’t simply retreat to more remote areas — they need corridors like the Telluride Valley Floor to travel between lower elevations in the winter and higher elevations in the summer.
At the eastern end of Telluride you can find the original gold mine, and above that (on the same road) you can find Bridal Veil Falls. There is a building at the top of the falls, it is the Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Power Plant. It sits on a 400 foot cliff, constructed in 1907 to provide electricity to the gold mine below. There is a parking lot just beyond the gold mine building, where hikers park and depart from to hike up to the top of the Bridal Veil Falls. There is a 4WD trail you could drive on, but there is a warning at the parking lot that describes that it is a one lane road with very few turnouts and you are required to use only high clearance 4WD vehicles. Click here to read about the hiking trail up to the falls.
The historic Main Street of Telluride is a shopper's paradise, adorned with colorful Victorian facades housing a diverse array of boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores. Explore local shops like Scarpe, offering stylish footwear, or Between the Covers Bookstore, a haven for literature lovers. Discover one-of-a-kind treasures at Telluride Truffle for artisan chocolates or indulge in mountain-inspired home decor at Two Skirts. The shopping scene seamlessly blends upscale boutiques with authentic mountain-town flair, providing a perfect balance for those seeking both luxury and local authenticity. As you wander through the picturesque streets, the backdrop of majestic peaks adds a touch of magic to your shopping excursion, making each purchase a memory to be cherished against the breathtaking backdrop of the San Juan Mountains.
Above Telluride is the Mountain Village area, which contains quite a bit of ski resort accommodations and other commercial entities devoted to people who came there to ski. The gondola connects Telluride to Mountain Village, so regardless of where you stay, you can get back and forth easily.
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Click the above video poster image to see our video of the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado. Telluride is a beautiful and remote ski town. It was quiet when we were there. The falls are spectacular and we were thrilled to see a heard of elk hanging out on the way into town. Telluride was worth the stop on our 16 day tour of Colorado and Utah.
Some Useful Links for Telluride
- Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
- Telluride, CO Website
- Things to do in Telluride on the "Planetware" Site.
- Google Search Results list for "restaurants in the Telluride area"
- Google Search Results list for "accommodations in the Telluride area"
- Best Hikes in the Telluride area on the "All Trails" site
- The Essential Guide to Telluride Ski Resort on the "Trip Savvy" site
- Skiing & Snowboarding at the Telluride Ski Resort on the "Telluride" site
- Amazon Search Results for "Telluride, CO"
- Visit our Youtube Channel
- Telluride Half-Day Rafting on the San Miguel River from the "Get Your Guide" site
- Our Image Gallery for Telluride
- Wikipedia Article for Telluride
- Google Image Gallery for Telluride
- Google Reviews for Telluride
Trip Itinerary
Click above map to view a larger Google Map As you can see by the this map, our trip covered 3 different states, approximately 1,600 road miles and allowed us to see some spectacular geography. You might think that a trip of this distance would be something that would result in a "tired of driving" mood - but our stops were so diverse with such incredible geography and fun things to do, that we found that we looked forward to each morning to where we could continue our adventures!
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