San Juan Mountains, Colorado · 9,318 ft
SilvertonColorado
One of America's most remote and spectacular mountain towns — surrounded on all sides by towering 14,000-foot peaks, accessible by steam train from Durango.
First choices
Silverton travel guide
Discover Silverton, Colorado — a historic mining town in the San Juan Mountains, gateway to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and alpine adventure. From there, let stays, meals, views, and arrival choices support the place instead of crowding it.
Plan by trip shape
Start with the kind of Silverton trip you actually want
Silverton is tiny, high, and logistically unusual. The best trip plan depends on whether you are riding the Durango train, staying overnight, chasing alpine scenery, or building a winter mountain weekend.
Classic first visit
Durango train + Silverton layover
Best when the railroad is the main event. Protect the 45-mile Animas Canyon ride, then use the Silverton stop for lunch, Greene Street, depot photos, and one focused history wander.
Plan the train day →Stronger weekend
Train up, sleep in Silverton
Best when you want the town after day-trippers leave. Book a walkable inn, eat dinner in town, then use the next morning for mountain views before returning to Durango.
Compare Silverton hotels →Alpine scenery
Jeep roads, wildflowers, and high basins
Best from July into early fall when roads and trailheads open. Prioritize one big outdoor lane: a guided jeep tour, Ice Lakes-style hiking, or a mellow wildflower drive.
Choose outdoor priorities →Winter specialist
Silverton Mountain and snowy passes
Best for experienced skiers and winter-road travelers. Treat this as a serious mountain trip: check road conditions, carry traction gear, and keep plans flexible.
See winter notes →Population: ~600
Colorado's Most Dramatic Town
Silverton sits in a spectacular alpine bowl at 9,318 feet — completely encircled by the jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains. There are no chain hotels, no big box stores, no fast food. Just a perfectly preserved Victorian mining town and some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the Rocky Mountains.
Getting here is half the adventure. The most iconic route is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad — a 45-mile steam train journey through the Animas River gorge that's been running since 1882.
Narrow Gauge Guide →
The Narrow Gauge Railroad
The steam train from Durango is how most visitors arrive — and it's one of America's most spectacular rail journeys. The 45-mile trip through the Animas gorge is unforgettable.
Plan your ride →
World-Class Hiking & 14ers
Silverton is the base camp for some of Colorado's most dramatic alpine terrain — including Chicago Basin, home to four 14,000-foot peaks accessible in a single backpacking trip.
Hiking guide →
Silver Mining Heritage
Silverton boomed in the 1870s silver rush. The entire historic district is on the National Register — walk Greene Street and feel the Wild West history beneath your boots.
History guide →
July & August
Wildflower Capital of Colorado
The alpine meadows surrounding Silverton explode into color every July and August — columbines, Indian paintbrush, blue lupine, and dozens of other species carpeting the slopes above town. One of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the entire Rocky Mountains.
The Stony Pass and Cunningham Gulch roads offer easy access to some of the best displays. No hiking required — just drive up and be amazed.
Wildflower Guide →December – April
Winter in Silverton
Silverton transforms in winter into one of Colorado's most extreme mountain destinations. Silverton Mountain ski area offers expert-only guided skiing on some of the steepest, deepest terrain in the state — 1,800 acres, 80% expert, and snowcat access beyond the lifts.
Snowmobiling, ice fishing, and backcountry touring are also popular. The town itself turns quiet and intimate — a completely different (and magical) atmosphere from the summer crowds.
Winter Activities →
Where to stay in Silverton
Silverton lodging is small, historic, and easy to lose on summer and fall weekends. Book early, then use the stay guide to decide whether you want a walkable Greene Street base or a quieter mountain-edge setup.
Gear Up for Silverton
At 9,300 feet in the San Juans, the right gear makes all the difference. Pack for altitude, weather changes, and serious mountain terrain.
50 Miles South
Start Your Trip in Durango
Most visitors reach Silverton on the legendary Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango — a full-service mountain town with great hotels, restaurants, and outdoor adventures of its own. Make it a two-destination trip.
Explore Durango →
