Ridgway Colorado Local Business

Things to do in Ridgway

Come and explore all that Rigdway has to offer!

Image of dark sky over Ridgway Colorado

Enjoy Dark Skies

At night, Ridgway, Colorado offers you a whole other dimension for your outdoor adventures. Ridgway is even designated as a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association. Ridgway was the third community in Colorado to be given this unique honor, due to the community's lack of light pollution that allows night skies to be viewed in great detail. As of July 2020, when Ridgway was designated, only 21 other U.S. communities shared the honor.
Climbing in the Black Canyon

Black Canyon

“No other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness, and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison,” Wallace Hansen wrote after studying the geology of the region for several years.
Image of blackboard with words used to describe workshops.

Workshops & Lectures

The tight-knit community of Ridgway is full of interesting people with unusual and fascinating backgrounds, as well as historians with deep knowledge of a variety of people and places. From top international athletes to prominent scientists and artists, we have a large pool of experts who are happy to share their stories, insights and knowledge through presentations, films and discussions.
Image of autumn colors outside of Ridgway

Fall for Foliage in Ridgway

Fall Foliage around Ridgway provides a great backdrop to any type of vacation. The aspens, cottonwoods and scrub oaks are the stars of the show during fall in the Ridgway area. The slow-motion fireworks of changing leaf colors make a sublime backdrop for outdoor activities and a perfect focal point for photos.
Paddle boarding at Ridgway State Park

Ridgway State Park

This beautiful park, created with the Ridgway Reservoir at its heart, offers breathtaking scenery, three campgrounds with modern amenities, three cozy yurts for overnight stays, playgrounds, and group event facilities.
Historic photo of the Israel Family from the Ouray County Ranch History Museum.

Regional Museums

From our well-known Railroad Museum to the growing Ouray County Ranch History Museum, Ridgway has a lot of history packed into our little town. Within short drives to neighboring towns, you can also learn about mining, the Utes and other local history including movies filmed here like True Grit.
sunrise over a peak in the Uncompahgre Wilderness near Ridway Colorado photo by Latitude Studio

Hiking in the Ridgway Area

Whether you are a fair-weather, once-in-a-blue-moon hiker or a die-hard, long-distance hiker, heading out on the trails is a wonderful way to experience the Ridgway area.
Man blowing glass at Cimarron Art Glass.

Colorado Creative Corridor

Ridgway is proud to be a part of the Colorado Creative Corridor. The Creative Corridor travels 331 miles through a handful of state-certified Creative District destinations, connecting Ridgway to four towns for a collective cultural experience. Our unique event programming and activities are featured alongside mountain town eclecticism, majestic vistas, outdoor recreation, and authentic Colorado mountain culture.
Actors in the Sons of Katie Elder

On The Big Screen

The captivating beauty of Ridgway, Ouray and surrounding areas has attracted a number of production companies making movies, documentaries and commercials. More than 100 films have been made in southwestern Colorado.
Rental kayaks and paddle boards

Summer River Adventures

Summer’s sunny skies bring snowmelt into our rivers and open up many warm weather water adventures. Tranquil alpine lakes and meandering streams give way to fast-moving waters and rafters, kayakers and canoeists enjoy the thrill of the area’s rushing rivers.
Dancers performing in a ballet.

Community Theater

Community theater is an important part of our culture in Ridgway and Ouray County with many venues offering a variety of performances. The Wright Opera House and the Sherbino Theater host a number of musical, performing arts and theater events throughout the year as well as weekly independent films and melodrama.
Horseback riders in a field at the base of the San Juan Mountains.

Ranching Heritage

Ridgway’s ranching heritage dates back to the late 1880s and the arrival of the railroad, which opened up the land for legal homesteading.
Skating at the Ridgway Colorado skate park

World-Class Bowl And Amazing Views At Ridgway Skate Park

World-Class Bowl And Amazing Views At Ridgway Skate Park. We have small, medium and large features at the park. There is also a nice beginners section that's separated from the larger areas of the park. The bowl section is world class – both the deep-end, 10-foot zone and the shallow-end, 4-foot zone.
Image of words describing poetry.

Poetry, Lectures & Films

Whatever your interest or passion, local theaters are sure to present a performance or film to match it! The Sherbino Theater, Wright Opera House, coffee houses and other performance spaces around Ridgway provide year-round programming for diverse artistic, intellectual and entertainment tastes.
Image of a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy tank.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – Relief From Altitude Illness And More!

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a safe, relaxing and highly effective way to deliver more oxygen to the cells of the body to stimulate cellular health and regeneration and increase the volume of oxygen in the blood. mHBOT provides the optimal environment for the body to carry out vital cell processes and promote healing.
Ice Climbing in Ouray Ice Park

World-Class Ice Climbing

From mid-December through mid-March, Ouray is full of climbing activity and good cheer, with “Have an Ice Day” greeting you from almost every open merchant and lodger’s window.
Students participating in a sculpting glass.

Workshops & Classes

Ridgway and Ouray County have rich, year-round cultural scenes that are sure to stimulate the mind, touch the heart and excite the senses. There is a plethora of nonprofits that offer classes and workshops for every age or ability.
Orvis Hot Springs outside Ridgway Colorado

Eternal Hot Springs

After a long day of adventures, there’s no better way to end your day than soaking in natural hot springs. Orvis Hot Springs is located just one mile south of Ridgway and offers seven soaking areas, a sauna and natural landscaping to give you the ultimate relaxation experience.
RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Fishing

Year-Round Fishing

Colorado is home to miles of trout streams, so it should not be a surprise that many excellent fishing opportunities are located within a short distance from Ridgway. Whether you are a veteran or novice, a stay in charming Ridgway will allow you to experience great year-round fishing, as well as float fishing trips, walk and wade guided fly fishing trips and instructional clinics. 
Outdoor music concert in the park.

Amazing Music Scene

The Ridgway Concert Series is the newest FREE outdoor concert series on the Western Slope. Each Thursday in July, Ridgway features awesome live music, along with great food, non-alcoholic beverages, and beer and wine for purchase. Each concert is a multi-faceted, family-friendly affair, with great kids’ entertainment to go along with the music.
People talking at Ridgway Farmers Market.

Spend A Few Hours At The Farmer's Market

Grocery shopping is not just a chore – it’s a special occasion during the summer and fall when the Ridgway Farmers Market opens up. Every Friday from May through October, residents and visitors alike can enjoy a fun morning, afternoon or whole day at the outdoor event.
Jeeping in the San Juan Mountains

4WD, ATV, Dirtbiking

From tough singletrack to scenic off-road byways crossing the San Juan Mountains, 4-wheel drive roads and trails abound for every level of driver or rider. Go it alone or with guides who love to share their knowledge of the San Juans’ geology, flora, fauna, and colorful stories.
Image of an outside event in Hartwell Park.

Ridgway Creative District

A town’s main street says a lot about the community — bringing to life the heritage and authenticity of the area and inspiring creative energy and pride. Filled with unique businesses, excellent restaurants and fantastic views, Ridgway’s downtown is one of the few in Colorado to be both a state-certified Creative District and a Designated Main Street Community.
Golfing in the San Juan Mountains

Golfing

Ouray County’s 300+ days of sunshine make it an ideal location for golfing. The award-winning Divide Golf Club is located only four miles from Ridgway and features an 18-hole course with incredible views and 7,039 yards of challenging play. Complete with pro shop, restaurant and event services, the Divide meets all your golfing needs!
Individuals working at the Ridgway Colorado Seed Library.

Fostering Diverse Tastes at Ridgway Seed Library

Gardeners and anyone with an interest in growing their own food should make a stop at the Ridgway Seed Library, a resource available to all who would like to contribute to the seed diversity within our growing region. The local seed library is a free seed project, with a mission to support all who wish to plant seeds, grow food, and try their best at saving seed that has been grown within our bio region.
Biking the Dallas Trail

Breathtaking Bike Rides Abound

Whether you are looking for an easy bike path, a long-distance ride on pavement, a gravel-grinding roll along dirt roads, or an off-road adventure, you can access a wide variety of back roads and trails for spectacular rides around Ridgway.
Image of John Wayne during True Grit filming

True Grit Walking Tours

The Ridgway Chamber offers a one-hour True Grit Movie Walking Tour, which departs every Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Ridgway Visitors Center (May through October). For reservations, call 970.626.5181. The fee is $10 for adults and free for children under 12.

Visitors Center & Ridgway Area Chamber

The Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce promotes business and community development in the Town of Ridgway and the surrounding area. The Ridgway Visitor Center, located at 150 Racecourse Road, Ridgway, Colorado 81432 (across from Citizens Bank off of HWY 62), will reopen from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September. Hours of operation are Thursday - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

P.O. Box 544
Ridgway, Colorado 81432

See you in Ridgway

Adventure, night life and all around easy living await you in Ridgway Colorado, gateway to the San Juan Mountains.

Copyright 2021 Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce. View sitemap