Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway Road Trip Guide: Full Itinerary From Silverton to Ouray
Drive Colorado’s Most Beautiful Road: What to See on the Million Dollar Highway
The Million Dollar Highway includes a stunning section of the 550 in Southwest Colorado between the towns of Ouray and Silverton with breathtaking mountain views and narrow winding roads. Keep reading for a full road trip itinerary, including camping, hiking, climbing, and stops along the way.
Why Is It Called the Million Dollar Highway? The Million Dollar Highway’s name has several speculations, one of which is that it reportedly cost $1,000,000 per mile to build according to the state of Colorado website. Others claim it’s because of the million dollar views, or that travelers in the 1800s said they wouldn’t drive it for a million dollars. Whatever the reason, this stretch of road is every road trippers’ dream and worth a drive when you are in the state!
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Table of Contents
Million Dollar Highway Overview: What to Expect on This Scenic Colorado Drive
This stretch of highway is just over 20 miles in length, but the road is narrow and winding, so speed limits are as low as 10 and 15 MPH in many (and I mean the many) sections. There are also no guard rails along the way, so be prepared to go slow, use pull-outs, and enjoy the views. As someone who gets carsick on rough and winding roads, I highly recommend being the driver if you get at all sick. You’ll still get the views and there are a ton of pull-outs you can stop at to take it all in. On the route, there are trailheads and campgrounds with pit toilets, but no services in between Silverton and Ouray, so stock up on food, water, and gas before you head out.
Map of highway by Gaia GPS
The Route from Silverton to Ouray
For us, the Million Dollar Highway was a part of a larger road trip throughout Colorado, so we opted to start this section in Silverton and head towards Ouray over two days with one night of camping along the way. But you could just as easily go the opposite way and have the same experience. We drove into Silverton on a Tuesday afternoon to pick up groceries, do laundry, and explore the town. More on Silverton if you keep reading, but I will note that their only grocery store is tiny and expensive, so I highly recommend stocking up in Durango, before heading out for a few days.
From Silverton, we drove up to Molas Pass which is a stunning, high alpine pass that feels like you should have hiked miles and thousands of feed of elevation gain. I highly recommend stopping both in the pass proper and at Molas Lake for amazing mountain views. We camped in a dispersed campsite across the road from Molas Lake, and that night we hiked a little ways along the Colorado Trail for sunset. The next morning we woke up before sunrise and drove across the street into Molas Lake Campground and parked in the day use area on the northwest side of the lake. I highly recommend catching the sunrise here, we were the only people up and in that area and it was beautiful.
Blue hour on the Colorado Trail near Molas Pass
After watching the sunrise on our second day, we drove the remainder of the highway towards Ouray. We stopped just before town in the Red Mountain Pass area for some multipitch rock climbing. If you’re a climber, there is a climbing area called Waterfall Wall that has an exciting yet short approach that includes a tyrolean traverse over a waterfall. Routes at this crag range from 5.7 to 5.11b sport and trad, and the multipitch routes get you above the canyon for good views of the highway and surrounding mountains.
From our climb, we drove into Ouray, which is a cute town full of restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops of all kinds, including a really awesome gear shop. Ouray has so much to do that we ended up staying there for a few days to run a canyon, climb, and check out the via ferrata.
Molas Lake Campground day use area
Best Camping on the Million Dollar Highway: Campgrounds & Dispersed Camp Sites
There are so many options for camping along this route! We always opt for dispersed (free) camping, and that is what we did here, but there are also paid campgrounds along the way, and the option to stay in a motel or hotel in both Silverton and Ouray for those who don’t want to camp.
Campgrounds:
There were several campgrounds along the way, two in the Molas Pass area (where we dispersed camped). Since we did not stay in a campground, I am not sure if they need to be reserved in advance or if they allow first come, first served options. But this area is popular so I would definitely reserve in advance if you can.
Molas Lake Campground - $25-52 per night depending on site and time of week
Dispersed Camping:
We use an app called iOverlander to find free camping, and that is how we found our spot on the Million Dollar Highway. We camped down a short dirt road across from Molas Pass and just south of Molas Lake. There were only about three to four dispersed sites here, three of which had pre established fire rings, the fourth was pretty much on the side of the road at the entrance with no privacy. If you find this spot and have lower clearance, head left, don’t fork right and go up hill, that spot looked too rough for our little Promaster City van.
When dispersed camping, there are usually no toilets, so I highly recommend stopping at a trailhead before setting up camp, or being ready to dig a cat hole 6-8 inches deep if you need to poop. And a reminder, even if you dig a cat hole, please always pack out your toilet paper. I keep extra zip lock bags in our toilet kit for my used TP, and then throw it in the trash when we get to town or a campground with trash cans. Also, always practice Leave No Trace and pack out any and all trash.
If you want to have a fire in a dispersed site, make sure to check fire regulations for that area before you go. As we head into hot and dry summer months, many areas will be in burn bans. Even though having a fire in a metal fire bin at a campground may be allowed, many times having an open fire in just a rock pit will not be.
Sutton Mine Trail above Ouray
What to Pack for the Million Dollar Highway: Road Trip & Camping Essentials
If you’re planning to camp, or even just doing this drive in a day, below are items we bring on every road trip that just make things easier. From cozy fits to camp kitchen must-haves, these are products we use all the time and that you will love.
Our Favorite Items we take with us for car camping:
Best Hikes on the Million Dollar Highway
There are so many options for hikes along the drive, anything from short or even just view points, to long sections of the Colorado Trail. I highly recommend checking apps/websites like Gaia GPS and AllTrails for current conditions and searching for hikes at your level. We hiked a little ways down the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass, and it was beautiful.
Some great options in the area are:
Where to Stop: Silverton & Ouray Travel Guide
Visiting Silverton, Colorado
The town of Silverton is a National Historic Landmark, and an adorable place with small town charm. Though the town is tiny, there is a small grocery store, gas station, a laundromat, and many restaurants, bars, and lodging options. We only spent a few hours in town, but it is worth a stop to walk around at either the beginning or end of your road trip. With so many outdoor recreation options nearby, Silverton is more than just a stop along the way. If you want to make this road trip more than just two to three days, I’d recommend spending a day here.
Heading downstream on the Ouray Via Ferrata
Visiting Ouray, Colorado
Ouray is an outdoorsy person’s paradise and a must stop and stay spot. We ended our Million Dollar road trip here and stayed in the area (dispersed camping just outside of town) for three additional days. In the summer, there are endless possibilities of ways to explore Ouray, I’ll list our favorites below, and in the winter there is an amazing ice park for ice climbing.
Outdoorsy things to do in Ouray:
Rock climbing - There are multiple crags in the area listed on Mountain Project, and the local gear shop also has guide books and very helpful employees ready to answer all your questions.
Canyoning - Ouray is well known in the canyoning community as an amazing destination for aquatic canyons. We ran one of the local canyons while we were in town (wet suits needed as the water is COLD), and it was a blast. There are a ton of canyon options from beginner to very advanced with swift water. If you do knot have canyon training, there are guide services in town that will take you out.
Via Ferrata - There are two via ferratas in Ouray, Gold Mountain which is private and by guided appointment only, and then two routes on the Ouray Via Ferrata which is free to access unguided. The Ouray Via Ferrata has two routes, upstream, for more experienced climbers or people with prior experience, and downstream, the easier route that all the guided groups are on when we did it. You can get a guide if needed, though unguided all you need are a climbing harness, helmet, and via ferrata lanyard, all of which you can rent in town.
Hiking or trail running - There are so many trail around town, many of which lead to amazing views. I recommend checking out AllTrails for hike ideas at your hiking level and length requirements. We also recently discovered Trail Running Project, which is like Mountain Project but for trail running routes, it has a lot in the app and shows routes on a map a little better than AllTrails in my opinion.
Add Durango to Your Trip: More Hiking, Climbing, and Camping
If you want to make your road trip longer than a couple of days, add on Durango to the beginning or end of it. We started in Durango before heading to Silverton, and there was so much to do in town, and really good bouldering and rock climbing near by. There is even easy dispersed camping options in between Durango and Silverton, right next to some awesome climbing next to a waterfall.
FAQ: Million Dollar Highway Road Trip (Silverton to Ouray)
Is the Million Dollar Highway dangerous to drive?
The Million Dollar Highway is perfectly safe when driven slowly and attentively, but it does have narrow lanes, sharp curves, and no guardrails in certain sections. Take your time, use pull-outs, and avoid driving it in storms, snow, or icy conditions unless you’re very comfortable with mountain roads.
How long does it take to drive the Million Dollar Highway?
The scenic section between Silverton and Ouray is only about 20–25 miles, but expect it to take 45–60 minutes without stops because of the low speed limits and curves. Most travelers take 2–4 hours with photo stops, viewpoints, and short hikes.
What direction is best? Silverton to Ouray or Ouray to Silverton?
You can drive it either way. Silverton → Ouray offers slightly better pull-outs for views, but the scenery is stunning in both directions. Many road trippers loop through or spend a night in one of the towns to experience it both ways.
When is the best time to drive the Million Dollar Highway?
Summer and early fall are the best times. The road is open year-round, but winter brings snow, ice, and avalanche-prone areas. June–October gives the safest conditions, clear views, and open trailheads.
Can you camp along the Million Dollar Highway?
Yes! There is a mix of paid campgrounds and dispersed camping near Molas Pass and along the San Juan National Forest roads. There are no campgrounds directly on the highway itself, so plan to camp slightly off the main road and always follow Leave No Trace.
Are there gas stations or services on the Million Dollar Highway?
No. There are no services between Silverton and Ouray, so fuel up, stock up on groceries, and fill water before leaving town. Both towns have gas stations, restaurants, shops, and lodging.
What are the best stops along the Million Dollar Highway?
Top stops include Molas Pass, Molas Lake, Red Mountain Pass, several scenic pull-outs, and trailheads for the Colorado Trail, Sutton Mine Trail, and Richmond Basin.
Can you hike on the Million Dollar Highway?
Absolutely. There are trailheads and alpine viewpoints right off the road. Popular hikes include Columbine Lake, Sutton Mine Trail, and the Colorado Trail section near Molas Pass.
Is the Million Dollar Highway RV-friendly?
Yes, but only for confident drivers. Large RVs and trailers can navigate the route, but the narrow lanes and steep drops make it more intimidating. Most RV travelers use pull-outs frequently and avoid peak traffic hours.
Why is it called the Million Dollar Highway?
There are a few theories: It reportedly cost $1 million per mile to build, it has “million-dollar views,” and early travelers joked they wouldn’t drive it again for a million bucks. No matter the origin, the name fits, it’s one of the most scenic drives in Colorado.
Final Thoughts: Is the Million Dollar Highway Worth It?
The Million Dollar Highway was well worth the drive, and the towns on either side were a huge highlight of the trip. We wanted to stay even longer in Ouray since there seemed to be endless outdoorsy activities and pretty easy dispersed camping just outside of town. If you are ever in the area, add this road trip to your list!
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