Ouray is OPEN!
Current conditions, travel information, ways to enjoy local businesses, and official Gold Mountain Fire updates.
The experiences you know and love in Ouray are waiting for you.
While the Gold Mountain Fire did not reach the City of Ouray, the incident and resulting media coverage led some travelers to postpone or cancel their visits, affecting many of our locally owned businesses during their busiest season. Fire officials have determined there is currently no threat to the City.
If you have an upcoming trip planned, we hope you'll keep your reservation. Every overnight stay, meal, purchase, and adventure helps support the local businesses, employees, and families that bring Ouray to life.
Things to Enjoy During Your Visit
Art galleries and museums
Hiking, Via Ferratas, jeeping, canyoning, climbing, and other outdoor recreation
Public lands west of U.S. Highway 550, including the Red Mountain Pass area south of Ouray
As always, mountain conditions can change. Some public lands northeast of Ouray remain closed due to the Gold Mountain Fire, and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in effect.
Please respect all closures, follow fire restrictions, and recreate responsibly!
Drones are not allowed in the fire’s Temporary Flight Restricted area. If you fly a drone, all air operations for the fire are grounded putting firefighters and public lives at risk.
How You Can Help
Your support makes a difference. Every visit, meal, purchase, and adventure helps strengthen our local economy and the small businesses that give Ouray it’s charm.
Donating to the Ouray County Fire Fund supports wildfire response and recovery efforts.
Drones are not allowed in the fire’s Temporary Flight Restriction area (NOTAM Number is FDC 6/5451). If you fly a drone, all air operations for the fire are grounded putting firefighters and public lives at risk. When you fly, they cant!
Campfires and other open flames are prohibited. This includes charcoal grills, wood- or coal-burning stoves and grills, and liquid-fuel stoves or lanterns that use fuels such as white gas or kerosene. Propane or isobutane stoves, grills, and lanterns equipped with an on/off shutoff valve are permitted
While most popular trails are open, areas in the Cimmarrons and the Uncompahgre Wilderness to the northeast of Ouray are closed (because that is where the fire is). Open areas include the Perimeter Trail, Blue Lakes, Imogene Pass, Yankee Boy Basin, and Silvershield Trail. As always, bring a map, tell someone where you are going, park in designated areas, yield to uphill traffic, and pack out your waste (that includes poo too!).
The mountains surrounding Ouray are rugged and wild, and we need your help to keep them this way. Keep in mind you might not find services you're used to, like restrooms and trash cans. Be prepared to pack out everything you pack in, including trash, human waste and dog waste.
The wildfire has changed wildlife movement patterns, so you may see more animals in and around Ouray than usual. Please give all wildlife plenty of space and enjoy them from a safe distance. Remember, you're also in bear country. Bears are always searching for an easy meal, so help keep them wild by securing your trash, removing food, coolers, and other scented items from your vehicle, and never feeding wildlife. These simple steps help protect both bears and your property.
Support Local Businesses
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Dining Options
From burgers and beer, to gourmet delicacies, or Thai or Mexican comfort food, we have restaurants that will satisfy every craving. Many of our restaurants offer gift certificates, or even sell merch on their websites.
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Hot Springs in Ouray
There are four hot springs in Ouray including, Box Canon Hot Springs, Ouray Hot Springs, Twin Peaks Hot Springs, and Wiesbaden Hot Springs. All of them offer opportunities to relax in the natural mineral-rich water of Ouray.
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Wellness Businesses
From massages, to facials, and other spa treatments, Ouray has a host of options to choose from. Buy a gift certificate from one of these businesses to treat yourself or a loved one!
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Local Shops
Get that perfect memory of Ouray, or a gift to share. If you aren’t visiting this season, consider purchasing a gift certificate or buying from our local shops at their online stores.
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Artists and Creative Experiences
Ouray is home to many artists. Many of them can ship their art to wherever you live, and you can take classes from some of them while you’re visiting.
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Guides and Rentals
Ouray’s experts can design an amazing experience in the backcountry for your visit. We have experts in jeeping, horseback riding, via ferratas, rock climbing, skiing, ice climbing, hiking and more. Some guide services have gift cards available for future visits.
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Get updates about the Gold Mountain Fire, including fire perimeter, containment, daily updates, and operational plans at inciweb.wildfire.gov.
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Check air quality in Ouray and the surrounding areas at fire.airnow.gov.
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Check road conditions in Colorado at maps.cotrip.org
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Find updates about County Road conditions, including some local 4×4 favorites at ouraycountyco.gov/151/Road-Bridge.
San Miguel County: sanmiguelcountyco.gov/406/Road-Conditions
San Juan County: sanjuancounty.colorado.gov/road -
The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have closed public land in the area where the fire is burning. See the closure order and map here.
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Stay informed of road closures and get local emergency notifications during your visit by texting "ourayalerts" to 65513.
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Check out the current conditions in Ouray in real time at visitouray.com/web-cams.
Stay Informed:
Official Fire Resources
FAQs
Is Ouray open?
Should I still come?
We encourage visitors to keep their reservations. Conditions, such as air quality and smoke levels can change. Although the Gold Mountain Fire did not reach the City of Ouray, some travelers postponed or canceled trips, creating economic challenges for local businesses. Your visit helps support the businesses and families that make Ouray such a special place!
Is it smoky?
Yes! The City of Ouray is open to visitors. Fire officials have determined there is currently no threat to the City. Businesses, lodging properties, restaurants, shops, attractions, and the Ouray Hot Springs Pool remain open.
Smoke conditions may vary depending on weather and wind. Visitors can check current air quality before traveling at: fire.airnow.gov
We also have live webcams in the City which can be viewed at: visitouray.com/web-cams
Can I still recreate outdoors?
Yes! Public lands west of U.S. Highway 550, including the Red Mountain Pass area south of Ouray, remain open for recreation.
Some public lands northeast of Ouray remain closed due to fire activity. Please follow all Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, obey closures, and recreate responsibly.
Smoke conditions may vary depending on weather and wind. Visitors can check current air quality before recreating at: fire.airnow.gov
How can I support Ouray?
The best ways to support our community are:
Keep your reservation.
Stay an extra night.
Shop locally.
Dine at local restaurants.
Tip generously.
Purchase gift cards.
Shop online from Ouray businesses.
Donate to the Ouray County Fire Fund.
Plan another visit this fall or winter!
Where can I find official information?
For the latest information on the Gold Mountain Fire go to: Gold Mountain Fire on inciweb.wildfire.gov.
For information on air quality go to: fire.airnow.gov
For information on road closures go to: maps.cotrip.org
County Road Information is available at: ouraycountyco.gov/151/Road-Bridge
The City of Ouray maintains an information page with links to these official resources, as well as City of Ouray-specific updates at cityofouray.com/GMF.
Is it safe to drive to Ouray?
Highway 550 is open. Road conditions can change, and we encourage you to check maps.cotrip.org before you travel.
How are the floods affecting Ouray?
Following a wildfire, localized flooding or debris flows can occasionally occur in areas below the burn scar during heavy rain. These impacts have been limited, and crews respond quickly to clear debris and keep roads open when needed.
The City of Ouray is outside the burn scar. If you're visiting the area, simply stay aware of the weather forecast during periods of heavy rain and follow any instructions from emergency personnel.