- Ouray RV Park and Cabins Campground Review - July 10, 2020
(Updated with what to see & do in the area below!)
We have been traveling in our Fifth Wheel since November 2018 with our two cats.
We were initially drawn to Ouray, CO after a friend told us it was their favorite place on the planet! We decided we needed to see what Ouray was all about and directed the truck that way. I’m so glad we did!
Nicknamed “The Switzerland of America,” this town has quite a tagline to live up to. I’m here to tell you that it most certainly does, and then some.
Nestled at the bottom of what seems to be mountains on all sides, Ouray is in a prime setting for the adventure seeker. But you don’t have to leave town to enjoy yourself. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops in town to explore and relax in.
The town also boasts a hot spring off the main strip to soothe your muscles after a long day of adventuring. There are also nearby hiking trails and a renowned system of off-road vehicle trails to explore.
Ouray RV Park Description & Atmosphere
When we showed up at the campground, it was the same day the city had just opened up. Needless to say, the campground staff probably had their hands full.
That being said, they couldn’t have been nicer. They were all very friendly and accommodating.
As packed as it was, it wasn’t a very rowdy crowd. Most of the people were outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Many people had their tricked-out offroad vehicles with them.
As for the site itself, it was very bare-bones. The RVs in our particular section were about the closest together we’ve come across in RV life. We did have full hookups and a picnic table, but the sites were so close together that we didn’t use it.
Between our AT&T phone service and our Verizon WiFi jetpack, we got decent enough internet to work.
Ouray RV Park Activities & Amenities
Regarding amenities at the RV park, there aren’t as many as some others we’ve come across.
However, they have a nice laundry facility, good WiFi, and even an onsite restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. (The restaurant was unfortunately closed during our stay but has since opened up.)
One great thing about the park is that it is right beside the river and has a lovely walking and biking path. This path is a roughly two-mile loop that follows the river and even branches off to continue right into downtown.
We started many of our days with coffee and a walk around the loop.
While the campground lacks things like a pool or outdoor games like mini-golf or basketball, it doesn’t really feel like you’re missing out on anything because you’re surrounded by possible adventure on all sides.
STATS ON THE CAMPGROUND
| Address | 1700 Main St Ouray, CO 81427 GPS Coordinates: 38.0349, -107.6761 |
| How Tight Are the Spaces, Privacy & Proximity to Neighbors | Very Tight! |
| Our Site | Site 45 – Riverfront Site |
| Atmosphere | Family-friendly. There seemed to be a lot of adventurous people at the campground. |
| Electric | YES |
| Water | YES |
| Sewer | YES |
| Road Noise | Minimal – close to the road but not a fast road. |
| Online reservations | YES |
| Cell/Internet coverage | ATT and Verizon were usable. |
| In Park Wifi | YES |
| TV Stations Picked Up | -Stayed here while our antenna was MIA- |
| Amount of Hiking | Yes. There are tons of it in town; more on that below. |
| Kayaking | Water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and boating are allowed at nearby Ridgway State Park Reservoir. |
| Swimming | Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center |
| Is anything special on the property | Restaurant |
| Water Access | Right along the Uncompahgre River |
AMENITIES
| Pool | NO |
| Hot Tub | NO |
| Playground | NO |
| Laundry | YES |
Ouray RV Park Bathrooms
At this point, we have been full-time RVing for almost two years. We have seen more bathrooms than I care to count and the full spectrum from terrible to incredible.
The bathrooms in Ouray RV Park and Cabins are some of the best we’ve come across. They were always clean and well-kept, and the water was always hot.
BATHROOMS
| Number of Bathhouses | 1 |
Local Area & Attractions
What to See & Do Around Ouray
Hike the Ouray Perimeter Trail
As I said, the town of Ouray is surrounded by endless adventure. A short walk from the campground will take you to the Ouray Perimeter Trail. This is a picturesque 7-mile hike that will take you through the surrounding mountains for beautiful views of the city of Ouray below. We have done countless hikes in RV life, and this was one of the better ones for sure. Beyond that, there are multiple hiking trails to explore.
Jeepin’ the 4×4 and OHV Trails
Another big draw to the area is the 4×4 and OHV trails. We rented a Jeep Wrangler in Ouray and spent the whole day exploring.
We started on Yankee Boy Basin and then took a trail up and over a mountain from Ouray to Silverton. The pictures don’t justify how insanely remote, beautiful, and hair-raising this drive was.
At times, we were up almost 12,000 feet!
This was the highlight of our time in Ouray. Silverton also had its own restaurants, bars, and shops to explore.
Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center
One of the most noteworthy places in town is the hot springs. This hot spring boasts 5 different pools ranging from 75 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has designated lap areas, an adults-only area, and slides and play areas for kids.
Unfortunately, they were not open yet when we were there. But I can’t imagine a much better way to end a long day of adventuring than by relaxing in the hot springs that are only a short walk from the camper. If we ever make it back to Ouray, this is a must-do.
Taco del Gnar
Just a short 15-minute drive from the RV park into the town of Ridgeway, you will find Taco del Gnar.
While we did have some great food in Ouray, this was hands down the best food of the stay. We’ve had our fair share of tacos, and these were some of the best we’ve encountered.
We ordered from them twice, and everything we tried was fantastic. If you are staying in Ouray or just passing through, I can’t recommend this place enough.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
A one-hour drive from Ouray sits Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park.
While it may not get the notoriety of some other National Parks, it’s still unique and worth a trip.
The large, deep canyon is a sight to see, and there are several viewpoints off the road as well as a handful of hiking trails to explore.
We did the Warner Point Nature Trail and the Oak Flat Loop Trail. Both offer beautiful views and are a great way to experience the park.
Because of its location, it’s not a very crowded park, making it perfect if you want a nice and peaceful time in nature.
LOCAL AREA & ATTRACTIONS
| Attractions Around Town | Ouray Perimeter Trail, Jeepin’, Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center, Black Canyon of the Gunnison |
| Proximity to the Closest Big Town | Ouray, CO |
| Camp Store | NO |
| Convenience Store | Ouray Grocery: 1.2 miles away |
| Grocery | Ouray Grocery: 1.2 miles away |
| Big Grocery Store | Ridgway Mountain Market: 9.5 miles away Walmart: 33 miles away |
| Gas | Phillips 66: 0.1 miles away |
Dates We Were at Ouray RV Park and Cost:
5/16/2020 – 5/30/2020
$60 per night
7th Night Free, Which we were able to use twice.
MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS
| Membership Discounts | NO |
Overall Ouray RV Park Rating
Giving this park an overall rating is tricky.
If you took just our site, this would be close to the lowest end of the campgrounds we’ve stayed in. It was small, offered no shade, and was not private at all.
However, when you consider the proximity to a walking path, downtown, the beautiful mountains around you, and the quality of the bathrooms, this park will always stand out to me as being a fantastic spot to stay and explore Ouray.
It sits in a beautiful area and is in a prime location for those looking to explore one of Colorado’s lesser-known gems.
On just the RV site: 2/5
The site was nothing extraordinary, but the hookups were reliable, and we had no power or signal issues.
On the overall experience of the campground and its location: 5/5
This is one of the most memorable places we’ve stayed so far, and I’d go back in a heartbeat.