With such a tremendous opportunity for a road trip from Denver, Colorado, to Ouray, Colorado. You wouldn’t want to miss the best scenic route and drives found along the way. The journey takes approximately 540 km (340 miles), including possible stops, and requires an estimate of five and half hours.
During a road trip from Denver to Ouray, you can stop by many locations. These include Jefferson, Colorado; Alma, Colorado; Ohio, Colorado; and Sapinero, Colorado. While on vacation, you want the trip to end so fast, so you can divide this scenic route into two traveling days.
Denver
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Being located on top of a mountain range, Denver is a growing cosmopolitan place that can satisfy you. Day 1, you can start by traveling 30 minutes from Denver to Lariat Loop Road on your departure. Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway stretches 40 miles. It connects to the foothills of Golden, Morrison, and Evergreen communities.
Depending on your interest. You can enjoy three hours through the byway. It is endowed with museums, educational institutions, and entertainment. There are other historical, natural, and cultural landmarks. You will witness spectacular wildlife and mountain scenery opportunities. These include traveling to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Some of the most important discoveries about the Lariat Loop go back to the early 20th century movements in the foothill. It consists of rocky mountains, meandering roads, and sharp curves trimming the unique views. Activities throughout the year include biking and boating. These are suitable for various groups such as families.
Jefferson, CO
It takes more than an hour to travel southwest of Denver to reach Jefferson, Colorado. You need approximately 41 km non-stop drive by car using the US-285 route if in a hurry. Here you will have plenty of space to roam on the northern end of South Park, located 51 km away from Denver. You can pass through the Hungry Moose Caboose place, where you can find burgers and shakes.
Jefferson Lake is a great recreational area to spend valuable time at nearby places through camping and sightseeing. Activities at the lake include fishing, picnic, and day hikes following The Colorado Trail. It would be a regrettable loss to pass through Jefferson without Jefferson like that wields a fantastic natural view.
The more you spend time at a camping site, the more you get to love nature so much. Camping, for instance, there is a place called Lost Campground located in Jefferson. If you made it going there, you are then privileged to have an off-grid camping session. In this case, sorry, you need to get to your next stop without further explorations.
Ohio, CO
On a good day trip, you may get to Ohio and stay there in about three and half hours. In the southwest of Denver or reverse, Ohio lies northeast of Ouray. It provides the best view scenery from the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway, Ohio River Scenic Drives, and Covered Bridge Scenic Byway.
A good example is that you will have a perfect opportunity to see the Ohio River Scenic Drives. It requires two and half days to navigate through due to its magnitude. You can’t afford to ignore this historic-rich byway, a symbol for Native American habitation.
Should you prefer the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway to the former, you will find a Scenic driveway that stretches approximately 42 km (26.4 miles). Its natural settings permit quick cruises and leisure. There are beautiful and romantic waterfalls, wildflowers. It is a suitable environment for road running and trail running.
You create an opportunity to witness the Rockbridge State Nature Preserve, which is 100 miles long and 6 to 20 miles wide. It’s a fantastic architecture high lifted 50 feet beyond the plunge pool.
Sapinero, CO
On Day 2, it is easier to continue with the drive from Ohio to Sapinero. Sapinero is a small village near the Mesa Reservoir, popularly known for the abundance and supply of fish, camping, and boating. With a distance of approximately four hours southwest of Denver, you will be left with one and half hours to arrive in Ouray.
Let’s look at The West Elk Loop, a place full of glittering scenic drives that reverberate with wilderness landscapes. The large national forest provides a unique wilderness experience. It is apt for trail running as you learn about various corners. Among other historic features found in it are the imprints of long-gone railroad markings.
It is a very long route such that you would takes about ten hours to navigate through. You will go through McClure Pass, Kleber Pass, and ends upon reaching the far end, Paonia Reservoir. When following this route in Sapinero in the Blue Mesa Reservoir area, you find the Black Canyon of Gunnison and the Curecanti Recreational Area.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Montrose Crawford) is an entire national park worth passing by as you drive through Sapinero. Be part of some great activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, among others, to mention a few. The Black Canyon has massive walls between 2700 to 1750 feet.
Ouray
Finally, you arrive at your destination with so much joy and happiness! You will have a perfect and memorable time. Enjoying scenic drives from Denver to Ouray shouldn’t stop you from seeing amazing landscapes. Appreciate the San Juan Mountains that are capped mainly by snow.
Some of the breathtaking sceneries found in this place are Ouray Town Pool, Box Canyon Falls, Ouray Ice Festival, and the Mouse’s Chocolate. So whether you are a local or visitor. You will find an excellent and welcoming community that will even take you to explore other riches of this beautifully endowed place!
All in all, you need less than six hours to have a continuous drive spanning over 540 km. It can take you a minimum of two good days if you decide to have some stops in between to gain momentum.