Things To Do

Silverton is the base camp for some of Colorado's most dramatic hiking. The surrounding San Juan Mountains contain dozens of 13,000-foot peaks and several 14ers, but trailheads and wilderness approaches are not all walkable from town.

Chicago Basin (14ers): The crown jewel — four 14,000-foot peaks (Windom, Sunlight, Eolus, and North Eolus) reached on a multi-day backpacking trip. The railroad caps daily Needleton access, requires phone reservations, and does not offer a southbound Needleton drop-off from Silverton; confirm the current wilderness-access schedule before building the route.

Day hikes: Ice Lakes Basin (stunning turquoise lakes), Little Molas Lake (easy, great views), Kendall Mountain (local favorite, panoramic summit), and the Animas River Trail along the valley floor.

The most distinctive Silverton outdoor day is often not a summit at all — it is a high-country road day through old mining basins, tundra, ghost-town remains, and San Juan passes that feel much bigger than the small town below.

Appropriate options: guided jeep tours, capable 4WD travelers, fall-color drives, wildflower scouting, and visitors who want Animas Forks or Alpine Loop scenery without committing to a hard hike.

If you are arriving by train and leaving the same afternoon, keep this for another trip. If you are sleeping in Silverton, this is one of the best reasons to stay.

Silverton was born in the silver rush of the 1870s. At its peak, the town had 3,000 residents, dozens of mines producing millions in silver ore, and a Wild West reputation that attracted outlaws and fortune-seekers from across the country.

Greene Street Historic District: The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk the wooden boardwalks, peek into the restored storefronts, and imagine the boom-town energy of 1880.

San Juan County Historical Society Museum: Excellent collection of mining artifacts, historic photos, and local lore. Open summers, small admission fee.

Silverton Mountain: The operator reports 26,819 skiable acres, 400-plus inches of annual snow, and no beginner or intermediate terrain. Guided-only and unguided dates differ; read the current schedule before buying travel.

Snowmobiling: The backcountry around Silverton includes high-altitude routes with avalanche and weather exposure. Use current avalanche forecasts, legal-route maps, and local guidance.

Backcountry skiing & splitboarding: The San Juans around Silverton demand avalanche education, current forecasts, rescue equipment, and terrain judgment. Resort access does not make adjacent backcountry controlled terrain.