10 Things to do Adventurous in Silverton That You Shouldn't Miss

February 19, 2022 Karren Gelb

The town of Silverton is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in San Juan County, Colorado, United States. Silverton is a former silver mining camp, most or all of which is now included in a federally designated National Historic Landmark District, the Silverton Historic District. The town population reached its nadir at 531 at U.S. Census 2000. It has grown since then.
Restaurants in Silverton

1. Million Dollar Highway

Hwy 550, Silverton, CO http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/635-million-dollar-highway-usa.html
Excellent
88%
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5.0 based on 701 reviews

Million Dollar Highway

A six mile section of the San Juan Skyway with incredible views.

Reviewed By KristinalynRN - Joplin, United States

We traveled this highway from Montrose Colorado all the way down to Durango. Please plan on taking your time and enjoying all of the scenic beauty this highway has to offer. There are hairpin turns, sheer cliffs and drop offs, beautiful scenic overlooks, several mountain summits, a couple of old mining structures to see, if you’re lucky a few wild animals, a waterfall, and a hot spring! Be sure your brakes are good and you have plenty of gas in your car and snacks! Bring your camera and hit the road!

2. Ice Lakes

Silverton, CO
Excellent
93%
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5.0 based on 29 reviews

Ice Lakes

High-altitude basins in Colorado's San Juans offer excellent hiking opportunities.

3. Ice Lakes Trail

Silverton, CO
Excellent
88%
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5.0 based on 96 reviews

Ice Lakes Trail

This breathtaking hike can be done in a day: 3.5 miles one way that takes hikers from 9,900 feet to over 12,200 feet, with many steep switchbacks, waterfalls and sweeping views along the way.

Reviewed By CrisLett - Holly Springs, United States

My husband and I are both fit and active but this hike put us in our place! There were several times I thought I wasn’t going to make it hit truck through it, it’s worth it! I had never seen so many different shades of blue on lake! Once you reach the lower basin, the fields open and while the hike gets harder, it’s easier because you can see all the wonderful views! We did not make it to Island Lake but I heard Ice Lake is the real eye catcher. Hiking poles helpful but not necessary.

4. Silverton Powdercats

Highway 550 Mile Marker 65, Silverton, CO 81433 +1 970-385-7288 [email protected] http://silvertoncatskiing.com
Excellent
96%
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5.0 based on 25 reviews

Silverton Powdercats

Reviewed By jeremyn340

We made the drive to Silverton expressly for the snow cat trip. The snow was awesome. The guides did a great job of balancing risk mitigation and fun. It’s a different world with Covid and we felt they did a good job with distancing/sanitation etc. It was our family of four, a 15yo, 17yo and two adults. I would highly recommend the outfit if you are looking for access to different terrain without the work of skinning. The guides knew the mountain inside and out. The only negative of the day is that eventually it came to an end.

5. Molas Pass

Million Dollar Highway, Silverton, CO http://codot.gov
Excellent
84%
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5.0 based on 57 reviews

Molas Pass

Reviewed By ccindyk48 - Westville, United States

Fabulous scenic overlook on the Million Dollar Highway. This is either the first stop if you're traveling South to North, or the last if you're going the other way. We were traveling to Montrose, so this was the first & the only one where he was willing to stop. Large parking lot. Information boards & a short walk. Pit toilet restrooms. An indescribable view. It was great & I recommend taking a break here!

6. Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures

Excellent
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5.0 based on 255 reviews

Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures

Located in Silverton, Colorado, Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures is part of the new nationwide Polaris initiative called Polaris Adventures. Polaris Adventures is the first-ever national network of ride and drive experiences. With premium rental agents such as Rock, also known as Outfitters, in select locations, Polaris Adventures is able to offer some of the best destinations for riding in America.

7. Silverton Mountain

6226 State Hwy 110, Silverton, CO 81433 +1 970-387-5706 http://www.silvertonmountain.com
Excellent
76%
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4.5 based on 74 reviews

Silverton Mountain

Reviewed By NotSoLuckyBlackCat

My wife and I are decent skiers and have skied all over Europe, the USA and Canada. We love off piste and powder and have experienced 4 or 5 hut to hut ski tours (including the Haute Route) as well as about 12 days cat skiing in Canada. We were VERY apprehensive about Silverton, having read the resort website, but booked 4 days there and had an absolutely amazing time! Sadly my wife was suffering from a chest infection nd flu while we were there and struggled with the altitude. Despite that, on day 1 our guide was very understanding and accommodated her needs with a relatively short hike from the lift on the 2 runs that she managed. (She sat out the other runs for a rest). We asked to be placed in a "slow hike slow ski" group and the rest of our group were great - no cliffjumpers and no egos racing ahead up the mountain from the top of the chair. On the runs all guests were courteous and encouraging of each other to take turns at going first for fresh tracks. I cannot recommend the experience highly enough. The emphasis is very much on safety and the guides were fantastic. We had 3 different guides over the 4 days and all were faultless. The hiking was tough at 13000 feet+ but the pace was steady and we felt no pressure. Hikes ranged from 5 minutes to 40 minutes and every one was worth it. The views from the hike are (literally) breathtaking as you climb the ridge- then drop off right or left, according to the guide. The skiing was incredible - great powder and steep runs but nothing intimidating. And every run was skied one guest at a time due to the avalanche risk. That was no problem however, as the atmosphere with the other guests was great and we had a good chat amongsst ourselves as we watched others ski while awaiting our turn. The set up is indeed basic - imagine Aspen or Courchevel 1850 and think of the other end of the spectrum. In fact Silverton makes the facilities at Glencoe, Scotland, look like Aspen. (And that's no disrespect to Glencoe- we love it!) One highlight for me was that the check-in tent doubles as the apres ski bar. What an atmosphere! The place was buzzing as we compared ski tales over a (very reasonably priced) draught pint.

8. San Juan Backcountry

Excellent
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4.5 based on 432 reviews

San Juan Backcountry

Summer: Rent a Jeep, ATV, Dirt Bike, Street Bike or a Mountain Bike OR take a guided tour on an ATV or in one of our open-top 4x4 Suburbans and we will take you to the best and most spectacular places in the San Juans, one of America's most pristine wilderness areas. Winter: Come ride with us starting at Molas Lake Campground on a snowmobile tour that you will never forget! On the perfect day you will arrive up at almost 13k feet, on top of the Grand Turk, where purgatory looks like just a hop skip and jump away! Or come rent skis, snowboards, sleds or ice skate at Kendall mountain and enjoy all the powder we have to offer! Best rates in Sw Colorado!

9. Mayflower Gold Mill

135 County Road 2, Silverton, CO 81433 +1 970-387-0294 [email protected] http://sanjuancountyhistoricalsociety.org/mayflower-mill.html
Excellent
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4.5 based on 49 reviews

Mayflower Gold Mill

The American West once had hundreds of precious metal mills. Now, most are in various stages of ruin. One important exception is the Mayflower Mill, (or the Shenandoah-Dives Mill) located two miles northeast of Silverton. A National Historic Landmark, this wonderful piece of mining history is open to the public. Witness first hand how the miners were able to extract gold, silver and base metals from the hard rock ores in this complete processing mill. The San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado were one of the last ranges to be prospected. Although some prospectors were still looking for placer gold, it was becoming quite evident that if any wealth was to be made in the San Juans, it was going to be in underground lode mining.

10. Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour

Excellent
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4.5 based on 281 reviews

Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour

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