A collection of cultural and economic artifacts and sites awaits your exploration
True Grit Walking Tours
Due to the impacts of COVID-19, all True Grit Walking Tours will be cancelled for the remainder of 2020.
The Ridgway Chamber offers a one-hour guided True Grit Movie Walking Tour, which departs every Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Ridgway Visitors Center (June - September). For reservations, call 970.626.5181. The fee is $10 for adults and free for children under 12 years old. Reservations are recommended and attendees are asked to arrive at 10:45 a.m. Throughout the year, tours can be scheduled for parties of six or more at a time of their choosing by calling 970.626.5181 or emailing . Again, all guided tours are canceled for 2020.
Download the True Grit Tour brochure with a map to help you explore Ridgway and Ouray sites on your own. Please email if you would like a print copy mailed to you free of charge.
To explore more film locations on your own, you can head on out on a day trip to find some of the famous movie sites as well as the state’s most photographed mountain scenery. Ten miles west of Ridgway on Last Dollar Road are the remains of the ranch of matriarch Mattie Ross (performed by Kim Darby in the movie), where John Wayne jumped his horse over the fence at the end of the film. And to the East, towards Owl Creek Pass, sits the aspen-lined valley of Katie’s Meadow – one of the most memorable scenes from True Grit. Fifteen minutes up Highway 550 in Ouray, you can visit Ouray County Courthouse where the film's interior court scenes were filmed.
Downtown Ridgway Tour
Distance: 1,500 feet
Duration: 30 minutes (self guided) to 1 hour (guided)
Elevation: 6,985 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Extraordinary Views of True Grit Film Locations
Ouray County Tour
Distance: 84 miles (round trip)
Duration: 3.5 hours
Elevation: 6,985 feet up to 8,500 feet
Driving Difficulty: Moderate
Extraordinary Views of True Grit Film Locations, Historic Buildings, and Mountain Vistas
The Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce promotes business and community development in the Town of Ridgway and the surrounding area. The chamber operates the Visitors Center, which is currently closed until further notice due to COVID-19, and is located at 150 Racecourse Road, Ridgway, Colorado 81432 (across from Citizens Bank off of HWY 62).