City Profile

Elevation: 9,305'
Population: 531
Average Midsummer Temperature: 71 degrees

Old West actors greet the train

Silverton, at its high altitude, is surrounded by breathtaking colorfully streaked peaks of the great San Juan Mountains that soar skyward. The town is located on the upper Animas River and has retained its original western character of wide streets, old hotels, and a turnaround point for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which originates in Durango, 47 miles to the south. The entire town of Silverton has been designated a National Historic District by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Silverton Brass Band performs outdoors

Silverton is the starting point for explorations into old mining camps at even higher altitudes. The famous Iron Horse Bicycle Classic follows the Durango-Silverton road, Highway 550, to Silverton as hardy bicyclists race the train to Silverton.

Recreational activities include hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding and photography. Driving into Silverton from either the north, over spectacular Red Mountain Pass, or from the south, over Molas Pass, is a sightseer's joy. Silverton also offers a wealth of old buildings that are worth seeing.

Summer Events

Silverton Chamber of Commerce
970-387-5654

June 3-6 – Step Back in Time Historical Celebration

June 25-27 – Silverton Jubilee Folk Music Festival

July 4 – 4th of July Festivities

July 9-11 – Hardrock 100 Endurance Run

July 16-18 – Blair Street Arts & Crafts Festival

July 17 – Barbershoppers Concert

July 17 – 27th Annual Kendall Mountain Run

Aug. 13-15 – Hardrockers Holidays

Aug. 20-22 – Brass band concerts

Sept. 4-5 – Antique Flea & Farmers' Market

Sept. 11-12 – Colorfest Quilt Show & Sale

Oct.2-5 – Annual Bordello Ball

Dig into mining history

Old Hundred Mine tour

Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour – 721 County Road 4-A, (970) 387-5444 or (800) 872-3009. Ride the mine train underground and see how gold mining was really done. See mining demonstrations with authentic equipment. Free gold panning included. No reservations needed. Hourly 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., seven days a week from May 10 to mid-October.

Mining-era building near Red Mountain Pass

Red Mountain Motel & RV Park, Cabin & Jeep Rentals – 664 Green St., 1-888-970-5512. Motel, RV Park, Cabins. Jeep rentals playground. Pets welcome, kitchenette available. Fun for the whole family. Summer hours 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

San Juan County's Museum (the former San Juan County Jail) next to the Courthouse. (970) 387-5838. Three floors of period and historic displays, including local mineral collection, Derringer handgun collection and actual county jail cells as they were used. Gift shop. Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. through mid-October. Admission $3.50, kids 12 and under, free.

Mayflower Gold Mill – located one mile north of Silverton on Highway 110. See how the miners got the gold out of the hard rock ores in this complete 1929 gold procession mill, now a National Historic Landmark. Gift shop, free gold panning. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Memorial Day - September. Admission: Adults $6.50, children 12 and under, free.