Visit

Visit Ridgway, Colorado

Where True Grit meets the hot springs.

Soak at Orvis Hot Springs, paddle Ridgway Reservoir beneath the Sneffels Range, walk the True Grit filming locations and discover the creative small town at the crossroads of Telluride, Ouray and the San Juan Skyway.

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A Perfect Day

One Day in Ridgway

Morning

Breakfast at Kate's Place, then drive to Ridgway State Park — launch a kayak on the reservoir with the Sneffels Range towering 14,000 feet above the water.

Afternoon

Walk the True Grit filming locations through town, browse galleries on Sherman Street, then soak at Orvis Hot Springs — outdoor mineral pools with San Juan views.

Evening

Artisan pizza and a cold pint at Colorado Boy Brewery, then catch a show at the Sherbino Theater — live music, film and community events in a restored 1913 building.

Things To Do

Hot springs, dark skies and the San Juans

Orvis Hot Springs, a reservoir beneath the Sneffels Range, True Grit filming locations, a Certified Creative District, International Dark Sky certification and the crossroads of the San Juan Skyway — Ridgway is the quiet hub of Colorado's most dramatic mountain country.

Orvis Hot Springs

Natural mineral pools with San Juan Mountain views — outdoor clothing-optional soaking, an indoor pool and overnight rooms. Two miles south of town.

Ridgway State Park & Reservoir

A 1,000-acre reservoir on the Uncompahgre River — boating, fishing, swimming, camping and the Sneffels Range reflected in the water.

True Grit Filming Locations

Self-guided or guided walking tour of the locations where John Wayne filmed the original True Grit — free brochure from the Chamber.

Ridgway Creative District (FUSE)

Certified Colorado Creative District — galleries, studios, the Sherbino Theater and full-moon arts outings on Sherman Street.

Last Dollar Road & Dallas Divide

One of the most photographed mountain views in Colorado — the Sneffels Range above golden aspens, best in late September.

Where To Stay

Sleep at the crossroads

Rooms at the hot springs, a Southwest-style lodge, a few honest motels and state park camping — Ridgway sleeps small and close to everything in the San Juans.

Rates shown include Booking.com Genius and partner discounts where available.

Plan

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Cabins & Camps

Sleep by the reservoir

State park lakeside camping, Orvis Hot Springs camping and San Juan mountain rentals.

State Park

Ridgway State Park Campground

Lakeside sites on the reservoir · electric hookups · seasonal

Directions →
Rentals

Vacation rentals on Vrbo

Cabins, ranch homes & mountain retreats

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Plan

Dispersed & forest camping

Uncompahgre NF, Owl Creek & free San Juan sites — ask Abbi.

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Browse Every Stay

The full Ridgway map

Every bookable hotel, cabin and rental around Ridgway — live prices, one map.

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Where To Eat

Small town, serious kitchens

A John Wayne tribute café, artisan pizza with English-style ales, a charcuterie wine bar, Thai food under the San Juans and breakfast that draws from three counties — Ridgway eats far beyond its size.

Eat

True Grit Cafe

Western saloon-style · John Wayne tribute · steaks & burgers

Directions →
Eat

Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery

English-style ales & artisan pizza · Ridgway's brewery

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Eat

Kate's Place

Beloved breakfast & brunch · draws from three counties · Sherman Street

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Eat

Chloe's Charcuterie & Wine Bar

Curated meats, cheeses & Western Slope wine · Clinton Street

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Plan

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Explore Colorado

More Colorado Adventures

Explore scenic drives, historic places, protected landscapes and iconic peaks throughout Colorado.

Events

Coming up in Ridgway

What's on in Ridgway over the weeks ahead.

SummerNow

Sherbino Theater Shows

Live music, film & community events in a restored 1913 building

Details →
Sep2026

Ridgway Rendezvous Art Festival

Juried outdoor art show · Creative District · annual fall tradition

Details →
YearRound

Orvis Hot Springs

Natural mineral soaking pools · open daily year-round

Details →

Shop Local

Take Ridgway home

A Certified Creative District of galleries, studios and artisan shops on Sherman and Clinton Streets — art made in the San Juans.

Shop

Mountain Girl Gallery

Local women artists · painting, photography & jewelry · Sherman Street

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Shop

Cimarron Art Glass

Handblown glass art & studio · downtown Ridgway

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Plan

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Move Here

Could Ridgway become home?

Learn about housing, winter, work and daily life, then connect with a local broker through the Ridgway relocation page.

Make the move

Housing, seasons, jobs and what daily life really costs — then a broker introduction when you're ready.

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Nearby Towns

The San Juan crossroads

Ridgway sits at the junction of the San Juan Skyway — Ouray ten minutes south, Telluride over Dallas Divide, Montrose 25 minutes north.