OURAY COLORADO. There's no need to pack and unpack or haul all your stuff from place to place when you center your stay in Ouray, Colorado. Unpack, relax, and take day trips in any and all directions. Then come home to Ouray and a soothing soak in the natural hot springs pool followed by a delicious dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants. End your might with a deep sleep, untroubled by traffic and lulled into dreams by rustling pines and clear mountain air.

Next day, jump in the rental car and do a day trip. Head south over the Million Dollar Highway (connecting Ouray with Silverton and Durango). Or go west over Highway 62 to Telluride, then south to Dolores, Cortez, and even Mesa Verde World Heritage Park. For a short hop, go north on Hwy 550 to Montrose and turn east to visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Or continue north and visit the Colorado Monument and Colorado's Wine Country near Grand Junction.

If driving doesn't appeal, think fishing, golf, jeeping, rafting, hiking, biking, boating in summer, and when the snow flies—skiing, boarding, snowmobiling, and, if  you're really brave, ice climbing. SW Colorado has it all and all of it within driving distance of Ouray.  Follow the Alpine Loop to visit ghost towns and explore mining history. Take a few days to do the San Juan Scenic Skyway, one of the most scenic drives in North America, where you'll have opportunities to explore museums and ancestral pueblos, ride a vintage steam train, and ride a gondola to "the top of the world!"

Mesa Verde National Park. World Heritage Park. World-class archaeological site occupied for over 700 years includes hundreds of ancient cliff dwellings and pit houses, some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. Archeological museum, guided tours, lodging, restaurants, camping. Between Durango and Cortez, Colo., on US Hwy 160. (970) 529-5036. www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm.

Anasazi Heritage Center. A museum of Ancestral (Anasazi) culture and other Native peoples in the Four Corners Region. Interactive exhibits, two ancestral sites on the grounds, library, research facility, gallery. Colo. Hwy 184, Dolores, Colo. (970) 882-4811. www.co.blm.gov/ahc.

Silverton, Colorado. The setting is spectacular and it offers year-round adventure. The town, all of it on the National Historic Register, is living history preserved in spirit, lifestyle and architecture. It’s one of the last great remnants of the American West. Stroll notorious Blair Street, tour the Old Hundred Mine and visit the historical museum (both in summer season). Winter (their longest season), ski the pristine snow at Silverton Mountain, or the family-friendly Kendall Mounain.  and lunch at one of twenty great restaurants (some seasonal). Then take a drive (or a snowmobile ride) up through Eureka to Animas Forks, in the heart of the old mining country. (800) 752-4494.  www.silvertonmagazine.com

Colorado Wine Country. Tour the distinctive wineries of Western Colorado. Pick up a map at any of them and enjoy a leisurely, self-guided tour. Call ahead for tours that take you beyond the tasting room to learn about winemaking firsthand. Tasting rooms, wine and gift selections,
www.visitgrandjunction.com/wine_country.

Telluride. Colorado. Known for its notable visitors, there is more to Telluride than world-class ski slopes. Perched at 8,750 feet in elevation, it’s a place “where people come to play” year-round, with funky, fun and family activities and trendy shops. Ride the free gondola up the mountain and hike (or ski) back down to the little town on the National Historic Register. (888) 605-2578. www.visittelluride.com.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The nation’s newest National Park offers scenic drives, wildlife viewing and year-round outdoor activities. Then drive the 205-mile West Elk Loop, which includes vistas of the canyon. (800) 873-0244. www.nps.gov/blca/webvc/home.htm
 

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Photos, Lysa Lynch, Leslie Doran, Silver Summit