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The Ridgway area offers something for every history buff, from picturesque, wooden, miningera buildings to scenic ranches and world-class museums. Prior to mining in the 1860s to 1950s, the valley and mountains were the homeland of the native Utes. As mining grew, so did the ranching and railroad industries that supported it. This diverse Western heritage is celebrated today by local storytellers and curators, who help preserve collections of frontier artifacts and historic homesteads weathered by snowy winters and sunny summers. Historical points of interest and museums await your discovery around town and along scenic drives around the area.
“Ridgway hits above its weight for a 1,000-person town. The diversity and quality of restaurants, businesses, and community organizations here is more of what you’d expect from a larger urban area. Match that quality of life with close access to the mountains and desert, and those are the reasons I love Ridgway!”
Many geographic features in the Ridgway area are named in the language of the Utes, the area’s early inhabitants. The valley and the river that runs through it are named Uncompahgre, which is often translated as hot water, red water, or dirty water. While few cultural artifacts remain here, the Ute Indian Museum at the southern edge of Montrose is an important cultural center with artifacts and history about the Ute people and nearby archaeological sites.
The San Juan Mountains are a rugged, steep mountain range rising to just over 14,000 feet. These beautiful public lands offer adventures year round. If you are interested in exploring the San Juans, be prepared for challenging terrain that sometimes requires technical expertise and knowledge of the area.
Come prepared by doing research online to find maps, rules and helpful guidance from public agencies and user-generated websites. Utilize local expertise when you get into town by stopping in at our local gear stores. We highly recommend working with our local guide services that employ experts who can help you achieve your goals for world-class recreation. You can also take a course in: backcountry skiing, avalanche safety, rock climbing, ice climbing, and other valuable outdoor skills.
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), The visitor center is closed as of October 1st and will reopen Memorial Day weekend.
P.O. Box 544
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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