Silverton, CO is a quintessential mountain town set against the picture-perfect backdrop of the San Juan Mountains. Nestled between Durango and Ouray, Silverton is a wonderful place to visit or call home. Located in San Juan County - not to be confused with San Juan County, NM - this historic mining town offers plenty of year-round activities to enjoy.
The History
In 1860, gold and silver ore was first found by a prospector along the banks of the Animas River. In the early 1870s, after the Civil War, over 1,000 prospectors settled in Silverton and mined farther north. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad laid tracks from Durango to Silverton in 1882 as the population grew. Mining continued to be the biggest draw to the area until the 1990s when the market slowed and gold and silver wasn’t worth what it once was.
Tourism and outdoor adventures thrive today, with many visitors enjoying the refreshing mountain weather. While many businesses remain open year round, tourism tends to wind down in the fall before the first snowfall. The only paved access to Silverton is Highway 550 and it’s not unheard of to be stuck briefly in Silverton during a big snowfall!
Things To Do in Silverton, CO
- Main Street (Greene Street) runs straight through town and is home to many small businesses, restaurants, cafes, tourist shops, and hotels. One block over, Blair Street/Empire Street has a similar array of shops as well as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot. The train commutes between the two towns in the spring, summer, and fall.
- From skiing in the backcountry or at Silverton Mountain Ski Area or Kendall Mountain to exploring the high country lakes and peaks including Handies (a 14er) there is no shortage of outdoor activities in the Silverton area. Many rental companies offer tours by jeep or side by side, some visiting the old mine sites. Silverton is almost 3,000 feet higher in elevation than Durango. The weather is cooler and more subject to change rapidly throughout the day. This high altitude can cause altitude sickness, so it’s important to be prepared and acclimate as needed.
3. One of the most traveled four wheel drive trails in Southwest Colorado is the Alpine Loop. It begins northeast of Silverton and you need a high clearance vehicle to traverse over Engineer Pass to Lake City and back via Cinnamon Pass, both are over 13,000 feet. From Animas Forks, you can see the headwaters of the Animas River and where both the West Fork and North Fork meet before flowing through Silverton and Durango, ending in the San Juan River in New Mexico. There are many local side-by-side rentals and jeep tours available for this excursion!
4. Annual events such as Skijoring on Greene Street, the Fourth of July parade and celebration, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, and the Silverton Whiteout are recurring favorites. Seasonal events like the farmers market, nature hikes, and art festivals add more fun to this little town!
5. Explore Silverton’s history with The Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour. This takes you into the 13,000 foot Galena Mountain via vintage electric powered mine train to see the colorful minerals and crystals, watch mining equipment demonstrations, and pan for gold. Throughout the tour you’re sure to see more mining buildings and equipment that was once used!
Real Estate
The town of Silverton is small; less than 1 square mile hosting a population less than 1,000. The majority of homes are located in town, and there are additional properties north of town along County Road 110 and County Road 2. There are many vacant parcels and mining claims.
Cascade Village is a popular resort area property, located at the southern border of San Juan County, which is just north of Purgatory Ski Resort. These units feature wonderful views of the Twilight Peaks and Engineer Mountain while being minutes away from Purgatory Ski Resort. Browse real estate in Silverton, CO here and properties in the Durango Mountain Resort area here.
Nearby Places - Ouray, Colorado
Continuing north on the San Juan Scenic Byway over a stretch of Highway 550 called the Million Dollar Highway (named for its million dollar price tag in the 1880s, the gold ore found here, or the views) you’ll arrive in Ouray, CO. Once you're over Red Mountain Pass, Yankee Girl Mine, and Ironton, you’ll be greeted with the “Switzerland or America” sign on your last descent into Ouray. This little mountain town is stunning, surrounded by tall cliffs and mountains to both the east and west. The Uncompahgre River flows through town, and the charming downtown hosts many local shops, restaurants, hotels, hot springs, and more things to see and do...and buy! Don’t miss one of our favorite local shops, Khristopher's Culinaire. Camping, four-wheeling, and climbing is also popular here in spots like Box Canyon Falls, Ouray Ice Park, the Perimeter Trail, Via Ferrata, and more available to the public. If you continue north, you will reach Ridgway where you can either continue on the loop or stay on Highway 550 north to Montrose, Delta, and Grand Junction.
Just an hour drive north of us in Durango, we love to visit Silverton and enjoy the gorgeous landscapes and quaint mountain town culture. Please let Max Hutcheson and Deven Meininger know if you have any questions about things to do or real estate in the north La Plata County and Silverton, CO areas.
