Ouray offers endless activities. You can hike miles of trails in the San Juan Mountains, mountain bike, experience the excitement of four-wheeling, golf, fish, backpack, go horseback riding, visit the Ouray museum, snow ski, cross-country ski, snowshoe, or just soak in the Municipal Hot Springs Pool.

And, that was just an introduction to the numerous activities that you can participate in while you enjoy your stay at the Ouray River Park Townhomes.

To start your stay, you may want to take a guided 4 wheel drive tour into the mountains, or rent a Jeep and drive yourself, exploring ghost towns and enjoying the spectacular scenery.  Several Ouray businesses offer both rentals and tours.

If biking is your passion, there are miles of mountain roads to be conquered.  A paved hiking/biking path follows the Uncompahgre River from Ridgway to the State Park, passing the monumental bald eagle sculpture at the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park. For the fit and experienced mountain biker, you can ride to Telluride over the Imogene Pass - 18 miles and extremely difficult.

The San Juan Mountains are a hiker's paradise. The hills around Ouray contain hundreds of miles of old wagon roads. Explore these trails to find ghost towns, old mining camps and mills, or to visit the nearby towns of Telluride, Silverton, and Lake City.

Getting to the hiking trails is easy. Along the highway and country roads are many trailheads. And, several trails start in Ouray. Most trails are steep and take you above the timberline.

If you are so busy relaxing that you are short on time, you can take Ouray's Historical Walking Tour to see old Victorians and learn the history of Ouray. (The historical district is only six blocks by nine blocks.) There is also a short hike up to a 1904 hydroelectric dam. The hike starts in Ouray.

Water from the dam finds its way down to the Uncompahgre River. Its headwaters are 12 miles south of Ouray just off the Million Dollar Highway. The rivers tributaries are at full flow the first part of June and are a sight to see. Kayakers often test their skills in the wider parts of the river, north of Ouray.

At the end of your busy day, head back to your River Park unit and enjoy a long soak in the hot mineral water at the Ouray Hot Springs Pools, with temperatures of 96-106. And, relax with one of their professional massages.

The pool has 150 by 250 foot lap lanes, two water slides, and the "hot tub" pool. Seven natural hot springs supply the 1,000,000-gallon pool with water. The mineral-rich water includes barium, fluoride, nitrate, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, with no sulphur smell!

Adjacent to the pool is the city park with picnic area and BBQ grills, playground, running track and softball diamond.

Winter time and Ouray are a perfect combination. If you are a skier, stay at the River Park Townhomes and ski Telluride. At the end of the day, enjoy the Ouray Municipal Hot Springs Pool for half price. Telluride is just an hour drive from Ouray.

Children can ski in Ouray at the "kiddie's ski hill" complete with free rope tow. The hill is open after school each weekday.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are other popular sports. The Ouray Nordic Council maintains the Ironton Park Cross-country ski trails - north of Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway.

Or, you can take it easy by doing a little ice skating in the town's lighted ice rink. Rental equipment for most sports is available in Ouray at Ouray Mountain Sports.

If you want something a little more exciting than screaming down The Plunge at the Telluride Ski Resort, why not try ice climbing? You can hire a guide and rent the necessary equipment in Ouray.

The Ouray Ice Park, the world's first ice climbing park, is located in the 150 feet deep Uncompahgre Gorge. Ice is ’farmed’ by spraying water on the gorge walls through pvc pipe and water taps, creating a mile of challenging ice climbs.  There’s no charge for climbing.

The Ouray Ice Festival, held each January, is the premier international ice climbing event, attracting the world’s best mountaineers with over 100 clinics, seminars and gear demos.  More info at ourayicepark.com