Local Travel Tips: Ouray, Colorado the Switzerland of America

Thanks for watching this local guide to the best of Ouray, Colorado the Switzerland of America (pronounced “you-ray). The ancestral home of the Ute and Navajo people. In fact, “Ouray” is actually Chief Ouray’s name - he was the leader of the Tabagauche Ute tribe. Support my channel - buy me a backcountry coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/megintheforest I don't accept sponsored gear or trips. I don't hawk courses. And I don't gatekeep information. My mission is to tell my story completely for free. This channel is completely funded by me. Ouray is one of the first places I recommend people visit when they’re traveling to Colorado. Simply put, it’s a basecamp for the most beautiful scenery in the state. Locals don’t say “the Switzerland of Colorado” for nothing. However, this place certainly isn’t without some crowds. The Ice Lake hike in particular can be a complete dumpster fire. With proper planning and a little know-how, you can enjoy solitude at some of the top spots in the area. I’ll even give you a few local secrets along the way. These notes are LOADED with resources to help you plan your visit to Ouray like a local, not a tourist. So check them out below! As always, visit wild spaces responsibly! Always pack out your trash including water bottles, fruit peels, toilet paper, and anything else you bring with you. Leave only footprints. Follow all closures, fire bans, drone regulations (no drones at Ice Lake), and dog rules (dogs must be leashed on all trails). ✨ Learn how to find epic free campsites in Ouray: https://bit.ly/Camp4free ✨ Follow me… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foxintheforestblog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ For the latest local info about the best outdoor hot spots in Colorado (including places you’ve never heard of before), head on over to www.foxintheforest.net. ✨ Additional Resources ✨ The Local Guide to Ouray, Colorado: https://bit.ly/meetouray Top Things to do in Ouray, Colorado according to locals and how to do them without the crowds: Top Ouray Hikes You Don’t Want to Miss: https://bit.ly/ourayhikes The Local Guide to the Ice Lake Basin Hike: https://bit.ly/icelakecolorado Don’t Miss the Ouray via Ferrata: https://bit.ly/ourayviaferrata The Million Dollar Highway will leave your jaw on the ground: https://bit.ly/localguidemilliondollarhighway Driving the Alpine Loop is mad fun: https://bit.ly/alpineloopcolorado Yankee Boy Basin is Drop Dead Gorgeous: https://bit.ly/yankeeboybasin Practice Leave No Trace: https://bit.ly/leaveitbetterthanufoundit Hiking Safely in Colorado: https://bit.ly/cohikingtips ✨ Discover more about visiting Colorado like a local: The Ultimate Interactive Guide to Colorado: https://bit.ly/localcoloradoguide Local Tips: https://bit.ly/localcotips Colorado’s Top Hikes: https://bit.ly/bestcoloradohikes The Prettiest Places in Colorado: https://bit.ly/beautifulcolorado Scenic Drives in Colorado You Can’t Miss: https://bit.ly/coloradoscenicdrives ✨ My favorite gear: OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O Skratch Labs Hydration Electrolyte powder: https://amzn.to/3FIFQZn REI Flash 22 Hiking Pack: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvVaq REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Freshette Pee Funnel: https://rei.pxf.io/e15EGO Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp: https://alnk.to/bEkq8CG SOL emergency bivvy sack: https://rei.pxf.io/7a9Oq3 More incredible gear I love: https://www.amazon.com/shop/megintheforest NOTE These are affiliate links. Meaning I get a small kickback from every purchase, no matter the purchase, at no additional cost to you. This is a small way you can show support for my channel and it means a lot, so thank you! Snag the Colorado Packing List: https://bit.ly/coloradopackinglist ✨ About the Photos and Video: Transparency is important to me when it comes to photography. There is Instagram and there is reality. And you should be inspired by BOTH. I intentionally use photos and videos that have been edited for color and lighting, and ones that haven’t. All the photos and videos you see of Ouray, Colorado were taken by me. I rarely edit other people out of photos (and I would make a note here if I did!). #coloradotravel #mountaintowns #ouray #coloradomountains #colorado #outdooradventures #adventuretravel #adventuretowns ✨ Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 00:10 - Where to find Ouray, Colorado 00:23 - Best things to do 00:28 - Best hikes in Ouray 00:57 - Driving the Million Dollar Highway 01:14 - 4x4 driving roads you can’t miss 01:56 - Ouray via Ferrata 02:05 - Hot springs near Ouray 02:15 - safety tips 02:28 - outro