Breaking down an extra afternoon exploring along the Million Dollar Highway as part of the San Juan Skyway in our Southwest Screensaver Road Trip through Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. So, what did it look like traveling along the Million Dollar Highway?
It was hot our first day in Durango and we needed some inside fun. Museums are not always a safe or enjoyable option for a toddler, but there are some really cool museum options in Durango. So, we decided to get in the car and drive north to explore the white-knuckling drive made famous for its breathtaking vistas. And really there is nothing like it.
We did think it was funny when we met someone at one of the outlooks who asked why we were here when Arkansas was so beautiful on its own. And while we couldn’t disagree, we knew the terrain was different, but the drive did remind us of the historic route to Eureka Springs.
If you are not aware of the Million Dollar Highway, a quick Google Search or Pinterest research can introduce you to all the details. It is a specific section of the San Juan Skyway that some say took the creator of the passage $1 Million to create it. I think anyone who drives it would agree that it is for sure a section of road that was hard to develop and at one point more rural than any road I’ve been on. But, it is a little scary and I’m pretty sure I would not have been able to drive it.
Its meant to go slow and if you do drive it slowly, you are able to look around and take in the beautiful scenery. But, every now and then you just need to pull off and take a breather. Whether its because you were too close to the edge or you just want to see the vistas, pull off along the way and see some of our favorite spots in the drive.
Favorite stops along the Million Dollar Highway ( San Juan Skyway)
- Haviland Lake could be a day trip all on its own. They have picnic tables, a small lake area for canoes and kayaks, even trails that are partially covered and wind around the lake lands. Its a perfect spot for a peaceful quiet time. We saw several people who had brought tubes and were resting in swimming holes. Knowing what I know now about our whole schedule, this would for sure be something I would add in as a play day since the park only has a $ 8-day use. There were camping spaces as well if you wanted to stay there and wake up under the stars. But it was a very picturesque spot to pull off and see and as I said, I’d be perfectly content with going back and sitting and reading for the day.
- Molas Pass Summit-one of the most beautiful views I’ve seen. This was where we stood and took so many pictures. It was one of those places where I just kept taking pictures trying to capture with my camera and iPhone what we could see with our eyes. It was really windy, but the pull off was big and almost a rest stop type area. There is a ramp up to the lookout point and worth it for sure. Get out of the car, take a stretch and just drink in the views. This is a spot I’d love to come back to and see in winter with the snow-capped mountains. But, I”m sure the danger level rises in the winter months.
- Ouray – we really didn’t know much about this town. I had seen it on maps of the route of the San Juan Byway. I had pinned a post about it on my Pinterest board doing research for the trip. But, that was about it. When we said, ” let’s go to Ouray” it was kind of a shrug your shoulders moment and we decided we would just see what time of day it was and how far we got on our path. I am so glad that our route brought us to Ouray, it ended up being my second favorite day of our trip.
What we loved about discovering Ouray
As often happens when you run your own tourism, Ouray has called its self the Switzerland of American and I”m sure its because its surrounded by tall peaks. It was so pretty coming into the city above it on the mountain passes where you could look down on the small mining town.
I challenge you to do better than we did and actually plan your day in Ouray as a destination. Plan to bike the trails or sit in the hot springs spa. You can rent a jeep and explore or just walk around and take in the local action in a real movie set..the whole town was part of the True Grit series.
- Box Canyon Falls and Ice Park – this was our first stop coming into town, but it was so cool. The view at the top is a pristine view of the town. But go on down to the welcome center of the park and pay to go out to the waterfall. It did give me a little vertigo action getting out there, but I think it was because of the drive up. You can walk all the way back to the waterfall and take the stairs down to the water’s edge. It’s a pretty cool hike. But the view coming out ended up being one of my favorite spots. This really was such a fun outing. But, there is also a park that the chipmunks love and where you can trace wildflowers along the path.
- Cascade Falls. Walk up the hill to find a great spot for a family photo. I saw this coming out of the side of the mountain and Mr. McKinney was kind enough to keep driving until we found it. It’s a pretty steep walk up and with a toddler in tow and a recovering ankle, we were very careful about where we climbed, but it seemed that there was way more to discover than we found.
- Duckett’s Market this historic market is a great little grocery store on Main Street. We needed diapers, but they had food, personal care, specialty foods, meat counter, most grocery, even healthy natural things (it is Colorado). It was obvious so many people were in there getting their groceries for their family for the weekend, but also some people were in there just getting something for the evening. I love a local grocery store and they are often the place I go to find new and local treats to take home with me.
- Goldbelt’s Pizza. Just do it. We were just looking for a quick spot to grab dinner and head home. I saw it on the corner so we made the block to park out front. It was totally our kind of place, great patio, fun lights and then their menu was PIZZA. It reminded us of Andolini’s in Tulsa but it was really good pizza and the French fries were dusted with magic yummy dust! We could not keep Little Man out of those fries.
That was as much as we did because we had to drive back on that fun winding route and I wanted to get past it before dark completely fell. But Ouray is full of mining history, climbing adventures, rafting, boating, even hot air balloons, and all those hot springs amenities.
Ouray. Let me say, just do it! If you are wondering, let me say make it a destination, make it part of a day trip, but for sure add it to your itinerary.
Southwest USA Screensaver Epic Family Road Trip Itinerary
If you missed any of the previous posts from this epic family road trip with a toddler, check out the full itinerary below:
