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The Odometer: Roughly 291 miles, one way from Denver (5 hours, 26 minutes)
Telluride’s sweet northerly cousin is a beloved basecamp for visitors spurring off on skyward hikes, off-roading over white-knuckle passes, wading through secluded rivers, and recouping in natural hot springs. But Ridgway (population: less than 2,000) is more than an adventure hub; it’s a proud partner in the Colorado Creative Corridor, a 300-plus-mile stretch that links mountain towns with notable art scenes.
At night, the designated Dark Sky Community (the third in Colorado to be granted this honor) glints with Milky Way stars. By day, the hamlet’s grid buzzes with locals and visitors connecting over coffee and locally brewed pints.
And though you may be inclined to bookmark this page and revisit come summertime, resist. Winter is Ridgway’s sleeper season. Below, where to play, eat, and sleep in the gateway to the San Juans.
Jump Ahead:
What To Do Outside in Ridgway in Winter
When winter swoops in, Ridgway’s sawtoothed mountains wear a thick coat of powder, the Uncompahgre River slows, and cross-country skis and fat bikes bust out of hibernation. More than 40 miles of interconnected trails spiderweb the town, helping locals stay active all year. Access the Weaver Trail System and Angel Ridge trails on two skis or two wheels from Ridgway Town Park and take in an eyeful of the San Juan Mountains.
Fat bike the paved ADA-accessible Uncompahgre Riverway Trail or challenge your legs and lungs on County Road 10 on Owl Creek Pass. Wrapped around a sprawling reservoir at the base of the San Juans, 3,301-acre Ridgway State Park is open year round and sets a beautiful backdrop for sledding and snowshoeing. Keep an eye out for elk, mule deer, and Canada geese. Pop into the park’s visitor center (open seven days a week) and borrow a fishing pole or pair of snowshoes. At the foot of the Sneffels Range, the pristine Top of the Pines recreation area is where to go for groomed cross-country corduroy.
Backcountry solitude seekers will want to connect with the pros at San Juan Huts to chat through maps, trails, and avalanche safety before booking a hut-to-hut backcountry tour. Hit up Ridgway Adventure Sports for cross-country ski and backcountry ski rentals and Cirque Guides to reach those untouched bowls, couloirs, and snowfields between Ridgway, Ouray, and Telluride.
Craving a slower pace? Just look up—at night. Ridgway is a Colorado Dark Sky Community with low light pollution and vast star- and galaxy-gazing opportunities. Ridgway Yoga Shala offers a full lineup of classes for that vinyasa and slow flow fix. Just outside of downtown Ridgway, Orvis Hot Springs is a clothing-optional hot springs resort with 10 tranquil pools and ponds that range from 65 to 112 degrees.
Can’t-Miss Event in Ridgway
The adrenaline junkies with San Juan Skijoring put on a high-energy show each January (January 10–12, 2025). Skiers and snowboarders are towed by galloping horses, pushing the extreme sport’s boundaries maneuvering tight turns and thrilling jumps. The weekend carries a festival vibe with live music, local food and art vendors, and an old-fashioned auction.
Where To Shop in Ridgway in Winter
Ridgway’s beauty and come-as-you-are southwestern energy has attracted potters, painters, sculptors, and glass blowers to root down here since the ’60s and ’70s. One of Colorado’s 26 certified Creative Districts, Ridgway is a key stop on the Colorado Creative Corridor. Bop around local galleries and workshops and see the latest in ceramics, metalwork, photography, glass, and Native American crafts. Some goodies to add to your itinerary:
- Dragonfly Creative
- Herbal Roots Apothecary
- Kane Fine Art
- Mountain Girl Gallery
- Ouray Image Photography
- Realm Supply
- TRACE Gallery
- The Vault Vintage and Consignment
- Rootwings Art at Herran House
Break for a latte in a laid-back bookstore setting at Cimarron Coffee and Books.
Where To Stay in Ridgway in Winter
For ultimate treat-yourself comfort, book a room at boutique resort and spa Chipeta Lodge and melt into jetted tubs overlooking the surrounding peaks. Be sure to reserve a table at the onsite White Buffalo restaurant for seasonally driven Western Slope bites.
Dripping with country charm and thoughtful western touches, Hotel Palomino is a modern hitching post hotel that feels like a vacation rental. A dozen stylish rooms are outfitted in bespoke antiques and works by local artist Bob DeJulio.
For a more rustic stay, Ridgway State Park is open year round with winter camping options in 48 RV sites and three yurts complete with electric power, propane heaters, and gas log stoves. (Winter camping fees range from $28 to $60 a night for tent, electric RV spots, and yurts.)
Where To Eat in Ridgway in Winter
Lemon-ricotta pancakes and veggie-loaded organic egg skillets from Kate’s Place are a Ridgway mainstay. Southern-inspired fare from Greenwood’s has locals lining up for Georgia-style scratch buttermilk biscuits piled with maple sausage or cider-honey-glazed fried chicken.
Belly up to the antique oak bar at Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery for afternoon pints. The 1915 brick building in old downtown Ridgway keeps things green with wind power, rooftop solar collectors gathering hot water for brewing, and a spent grain program that feeds local cattle.
Built to honor the 1968 Academy Award-winning movie True Grit, which was shot in and around Ridgway, the True Grit Cafe is a culinary attraction no John Wayne fan should miss. Peruse film relics and Wayne memorabilia while the kitchen puts the finishing touches on your triple-stacked, chicken-fried steak burger or burnt ends mac and cheese.
Other Ridgway favorites include the Korean barbecue steak and queso-doused chorizo tacos at Taco del Gnar; the chicken shawarma and house falafel at quick-service Kismet Cafe; and Bella Vino’s beef Wellington and espresso tiramisu.
Read More: Road-Trip Restaurant: Greenwood’s in Ridgway
Interested in more Colorado travel guides? Check out our library, which includes Buena Vista, Estes Park, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, and more.
