Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

'Excellent Guided Tour'

4.5

9 reviews
4.50

6 reviews
4

11 reviews

Tour Details

Driving
2 - 3 Hours
Purchase QTY
One Per Car
Distance
72+ miiles
Audio Stories
24+
Self Guided
At Your Own Pace
Tour Benefit
Tour Anytime
Any Day
Works Offline
100%
Money-back
Guarantee

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Ultimate American Southwest Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle
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Welcome to the Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Tour

Strike out for the wild west with this self-guided driving tour of Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway. This remote, jaw-dropping stretch of roadway was once the site of booming mining towns and railroad tycoons. Today, it’s a unique blend of jaw-dropping natural beauty and rugged western charm. But you’ll do more than just see the sights with this tour—you’ll also learn the wild history of this area, from boom to bust.

About the Tour

Your tour of the Million Dollar Highway begins in Durango, once little more than a ragtag railroad camp. As you learn how it went from that to the bustling town it is today; you’ll get a good look at the Animas River, an essential water source for the area. Continuing, you’ll hear about Otto Mears, the man behind the road you’re driving on.

One of the first major landmarks you’ll reach will be the Pinkerton Hot Springs, once believed to possess magical healing properties. After that, you’ll have the chance to see Baker’s Bridge, where Paul Newman and Robert Redford took their famous leap in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Next is Haviland Lake, a pristine body of water framed by ponderosa pines and with a great mountain view. As you continue past the lake, toward the breathtaking heights of Molas Pass, you’ll hear all about the gold rush and the formation of these impressive mountains.

Continuing, you’ll arrive in the town of Silverton. Once a humble mining camp, this settlement has retained plenty of its old-timey charm! Around here, you’ll also have the opportunity to detour to a hidden waterfall off the beaten path.

Up next is Crystal Lake, a great spot to take a break and spot some of the local wildlife. Then you’ll come to one of the highway’s most prominent attractions: the 200-foot-tall Bear Creek Falls.

When you’re done admiring the waterfall, you’ll head to the quaint town of Ouray, which some have nicknamed “the Switzerland of America.” Featuring an ice park, a canyon full of great views and hikes, a bustling historic district, and another huge waterfall, this little town has no shortage of activities and sights. Your tour concludes at the Ouray Visitor Center.

Starting Point: 151 E 16th St, Durango, CO 81301

Reverse Tour: 1230 Main St, Ouray, CO 81427

Tour Map

What You'll See

Welcome to the Million Dollar Highway
Your northbound tour along the Million Dollar Highway begins in Durango. From here, you'll head north and discover why millions of people come from all over to visit this jaw-dropping stretch of highway.
Durango
As you drive through Durango, you'll get acquainted with this fascinating town and the man who put it on the map: Otto Mears. Hear how Mears turned this from a ramshackle railroad camp into the bustling destination it is today.
The Animas River
Along the way you'll pass the Animas River, a 126-mile tributary of the San Juan River. This gorgeous river may have a benign name now, but the first European explorer to find it gave it a much more chilling title.
So Why “Million Dollar”?
Legends abound about the naming of the route. Some say it was named for its million dollar views. Others say the name alludes to the huge amount of gold found during construction. Some even claim the name came from cautious visitors who said they wouldn’t drive the highway “for a million dollars” because of it’s intimidating elevation, canyon-clinging twists, and lack of guardrails.
Otto Mears and the Ouray Toll Road
Even after Mears built his railroad, there were problems getting metals from the mines to the towns themselves. The mines of nearby Red Mountain in particular produced more gold and silver than the workers could handle. Weather, wildlife and the harsh terrain made passage through the mountains with the metals difficult, if not deadly. But the lure of gold was irresistible.
Geology of the Plateau
Right now, you’re driving on the great Colorado Plateau. This plateau encompasses much of the Four Corners of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. But did you know you can also see hints of the landscape’s history on the plateau?
Pinkerton Hot Springs
Next up is Pinkerton Hot Springs, named after dairy agriculturist James Pinkerton, who built a resort and hotel by the springs which also functioned as an illegal speakeasy during prohibition! The resort is long gone, but the natural beauty of the hot springs remains.
Baker’s Bridge
Baker's Bridge might be an unassuming landmark, but it holds major significance for classic movie buffs. This is the spot where Paul Newman and Robert Redford made their famous leap into the Animas River in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid!
Haviland Lake
Haviland Lake State Park is a fantastic place to break up a long drive with a picnic or an icy swim. This picture-perfect lake is shaded by towering pines and offers great views of the Hermosa Cliffs beyond. It's also a no-wake lake undisturbed by larger motorboats.
History & Formation of the San Juan Mountains
As you take in the stunning views of the San Juan mountains, you may be wondering how they formed. About 65 million years ago, two huge continental plates collided. The plates folded and created fault lines along the earth’s crust. Imagine pushing two rugs together across a hard floor, and picture the way that they might wrinkle up and fold over one another. That’s just what happened here, only on a much larger scale!
History of the Gold Rush
So we’ve talked a little about all the valuable metals flowing from this area, but how did that all get started? Well, about a decade after California’s infamous gold rush, Colorado got its own in 1859.
Coal Bank Pass
The route travels next through Coal Bank Pass. At 10,610 feet, this is the third highest pass on the Million Dollar Highway. It was also part of the original toll road built in the 1920s!
Adrenaline Falls Trailhead
An optional stop for thrillseekers, the Adrenaline Falls trail leads hikers to a favorite cliff-jumping spot among locals. The falls themselves stand at 18 feet and the pool below is deep enough to take a dive. But always exercise caution if you decide to make the leap!
Andrews Lake Trail
Andrews Lake offers a much more peaceful trail in the form of a 1-mile loop around its perimeter. Snap phenomenal photos of the crystal-clear lake as you stroll along its edge, soaking in the natural serenity.
Molas Pass
Molas Pass rises an incredible 10,910 feet above sea level, making it one of the highway's two highest mountain passes. Despite this elevation, it's also a famous landmark along an annual bicycle racing route! Skilled cyclists huff their way to the top, then ride gravity the rest of the way down.
Molas Lake
Pristine, peaceful, and very chilly, Molas Lake is one of the best places to view the San Juan Mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness. Formed by glaciers thousands of years ago, it's now an absolutely perfect picnic spot for the weary traveler.
Immigrant Labor
The Million Dollar Highway is unlike any in America, but it took a great deal of hard work to put it together. Labor crews composed of largely Chinese and Irish immigrants had to clear trees and blast away rocks and other barriers just to establish level ground for the road.
Silverton
Silverton might get its name from the precious metal once mined in its vicinity, but the history of this land dates back way before the arrival of miners and their mules. As you pass through, you'll get a glimpse into the history of the Ute tribe who once called this their home, and what happened to them when the mining rush began.
Detour to Clear Creek Falls
An optional detour offers a chance to see Clear Creek Falls, a hidden waterfall that does a great job of breaking up the rocky mountain scenery. Since it's a little off the beaten path, you're also less likely to encounter crowds here.
Red Mountain Pass
At 11,000 feet above sea level, Red Mountain Pass is the highest point on the entire highway. It offers great views of the surrounding landscape as well as a look at more mining history. As you drive, you'll also learn how erosion has helped to shape this unique mountain range.
Erosion/Gulch
The dramatic, sloping sides of the Million Dollar Highway are part of what make it so special. But they’re also one of the reasons this highway was so difficult to build in the first place
Ironton
Along your way, you'll pass the remains of Ironton. Once a booming mining town, built largely around the harvest of iron ore, Ironton is now one of many ghost towns which were left behind after mining operations in these mountains went bust. The last Ironton resident died in 1960.
Mineral Creek Staging Area
For trails which show off some of Ironton's abandoned structures, you'll want to park in the Mineral Creek Staging Area. Just remember to admire the buildings from outside, not inside!
Crystal Lake
Another clean and cold glacial lake, Crystal Lake certainly earns its name. In addition to being a picturesque sight, this is also an ideal place to spot mule deer and elk, which sometimes come to drink from the water's edge. You may even see an elusive black bear!
The Saint Germain Foundation
A small stone garage is one of the Million Dollar Highway's more unusual attractions. It's not much to look at, but it has ties to a strange religious organization that found itself tied up in complex court proceedings which went all the way up to the highest court in the land!
Bear Creek Falls
Bear Creek Falls is a dramatic, 200 foot cascading waterfall that is an absolute must-see along your route. If you're visiting in the fall, the autumn foliage makes this already impressive attraction even better.
Ouray
In the final stretch of your tour, you'll enter the storied town of Ouray. Nicknamed "the Switzerland of America," this picturesque mountain town isn't just a pretty face. It's also packed with things to do! From ice parks to waterfalls, it's a place ripe for discovery.
Ouray Ice Park
From December to March, the Ouray Ice Park offers wintery experiences for intrepid adventurers. The park's main attraction is an enormous ice wall created specifically for climbing.
Box Canyon
Ouray's Box Canyon Falls Park is overflowing with cool scenery. Imposing canyon walls, great hiking trails, and scenic picnic spots define much of the park. But the main draw is the huge waterfall tumbling over the edge of the canyon, which you can view from below and above!
Ouray Historical District
Ouray's Historical District has beautifully preserved its roots as a 19th-century mining town. The district boasts plenty of picturesque Victorian-era homes and commercial structures, as well as a gorgeous opera house which was saved from the brink of demolition.
Architecture of Ouray.
As you make your way through Ouray’s historical district, take note of the cool architecture around you. You may notice the Beaumont Hotel, mentioned before. This castle-like building was finished in 1886. You can rent one of the twelve rooms at the Beaumont and see the opulent inside, jam-packed with antiques.
Cascade Falls Park
In Cascade Falls Park, you'll get to witness the power and majesty of a 200-foot waterfall without the hassle of a long trek. The falls are a mere quarter mile from the parking lot.
Conclusion / Ouray Visitor Center
The last stop along your tour is the Ouray Visitor's Center, a great place to get situated for a longer visit to this quaint little town. Your tour will conclude here.

Preview the Tour

Stop 1: Welcome

Stop 9: Baker's Bridge

Stop 18: Clear Creek Falls

Stop 23: Bear Creek Falls

Stop 27: Ouray

Additional Information

What do we do?

Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!

Lifetime Validity

Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.

No Network Needed

The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.

Entry Ticket

This is not an entry ticket. Please visit https://www.recreation.gov/ for more info on entry/admission tickets.

How many tours should I purchase?

Since this is a driving tour, you only need to buy one per car.

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Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Tour

'Excellent Guided Tour'

'Excellent Guided Tour'

Tour Details

Upgrade to Bundles & Save

Ultimate American Southwest Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle SAVE WITH BUNDLES $214.99 $64.99

Welcome to the Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Tour

About the Tour

Tour Map

What You'll See

Welcome to the Million Dollar Highway

Durango

The Animas River

So Why “Million Dollar”?

Otto Mears and the Ouray Toll Road

Geology of the Plateau

Pinkerton Hot Springs

Baker’s Bridge

Haviland Lake

History & Formation of the San Juan Mountains

History of the Gold Rush

Coal Bank Pass

Adrenaline Falls Trailhead

Andrews Lake Trail

Molas Pass

Molas Lake

Immigrant Labor

Silverton

Detour to Clear Creek Falls

Red Mountain Pass

Erosion/Gulch

Ironton

Mineral Creek Staging Area

Crystal Lake

The Saint Germain Foundation

Bear Creek Falls

Ouray

Ouray Ice Park

Box Canyon

Ouray Historical District

Architecture of Ouray.

Cascade Falls Park

Conclusion / Ouray Visitor Center

Preview the Tour

Stop 1: Welcome

Stop 9: Baker's Bridge

Stop 18: Clear Creek Falls

Stop 23: Bear Creek Falls

Stop 27: Ouray

Additional Information

Reviews

Ultimate American Southwest Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle SAVE WITH BUNDLES $214.99 $64.99

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Ultimate American Southwest Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle
SAVE WITH BUNDLES
$214.99 $64.99

Ultimate American Southwest Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle
SAVE WITH BUNDLES
$214.99 $64.99