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Ridgway
Area Chamber Of Commerce
150 Racecourse Road, Ridgway CO, 81432
970-626-5181
Fax: 970-626-9708
800 220-4959
E-mail
Open 7 Days
a Week From May through September.
Limited Hours in Winter
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Traveler Information
Elevation: 6985 feet
Population: 713
Location: 325 miles southwest of Denver on U.S. 550
Region: Southwest
Region
At the junction of U.S. 550, toward Ouray, and Colorado 62,
heading to Telluride, Ridgway (nope, theres no e)
marks that moment when the San Juans begin to reveal their
remarkable size and beauty. The town was named for the
railroad superintendent 'Robert M. Ridgway' who established
the town in 1891. The "Gateway to the San
Juans" position was recognized over 100 years ago when
the Rio Grande Southern established Ridgway as a railhead
center servicing the nearby mining towns of Ouray and
Telluride.
In the late 1800s, Ridgway was a link along the Rio
Grande Southern Railroads route to Durango, and later a
miners supply town and cattle ranching hub. Ridgway is
now the home of a new museum dedicated to preserving the
history of railroading in Ouray County.
Historic mining roads, once only accessible by foot,
horse, or mule train, now provide excellent jeeping
throughout Ouray County. Or visitors can just relax and
picnic under the shade of 100-year-old cottonwoods in
Ridgway Town Park, one of the prettiest anywhere. Ridgway's
park and surroundings were locations for the movies
"True Grit" starring John Wayne and "How the
West Was Won."
The town was named for the railroad superintendent
'Robert M. Ridgway' who established the town in
1891. The "Gateway to the San Juans"
position was recognized over 100 years ago when the Rio
Grande Southern established Ridgway as a railhead center
servicing the nearby mining towns of Ouray and
Telluride. Ridgway is now the home of a new
museum dedicated to preserving the history of railroading in
Ouray County.
Just two miles north of town is Ridgway State Park, which
encompasses a 1,000-acre reservoir off the Uncompahgre
River.
Camping, boating, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking,
golf, tennis, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, ½-price
skiing at nearby Telluride and fishing are all popular
pursuits in the Ridgway area.
A visitors center will point you in the right
direction or offer a nature program, if you like.
The plush, solar-heated Chipeta Sun Lodge is a unique
lodging option in a beautiful adobe. Six lodge rooms, plus
massages and good soaking are available at nearby Orvis Hot
Springs. Take your pick from several soaking pools; some
come in natural outdoor settings and one is inside. For food
and beverages, the best latte of the Western Slope can be
found at Cimarron Books and Coffeehouse, or it's the
build-your-own sandwiches at the Ridgway Mountain Market, or
burgers and a John Wayne collection at the True Grit Café.
Ridgway, Colorado, the northern
entrance of the scenic
San Juan Skyway, serves as a crossroads for commerce,
transportation, history, and scenery. The Skyway, one of
only six All-American Roads in the U.S. winds through
unmatched scenery - a photographer's dream.
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