Alpine Loop

Question

If we stay in town, is there a place for us to leave our truck/trailer to drive our SXS on the Alpine Loop? We stayed in Lake City last time but were looking for someplace different and we understand that we can’t ride in town. Thanks!

Answer

The short answer is: yes, you can absolutely stay in Ouray and still run your SXS on the Alpine Loop — you just need to trailer it to a legal staging area outside town limits. Ouray does not allow OHVs or SXS to drive on city streets (unlike Lake City), but there are several practical places to park your truck and trailer, unload, and jump onto the trails legally.

Below are the most common and convenient staging areas, plus what to expect at each one.

Ironton/Staging Area on the Million Dollar Highway (US-550)
This is one of the most popular places to park a tow vehicle when staying in Ouray. It’s a large open area about 7–8 miles south of town with plenty of room for trailers. From here you can access Corkscrew Gulch, Red Mountain, Hurricane Pass, California Gulch, and connect directly to the Alpine Loop.

Pros: Easy access, wide open space, plenty of room for long trailers.

Cons: Gets busier during peak summer weekends.
Mineral Creek Trailhead (Outside Ouray on Hwy 550 toward Ridgway)
This is the closest area to Ouray for staging. It is just outside town limits near the Ouray KOA and provides access to Engineer Pass (via the rough Mineral Creek entrance).

Pros: Very close to town—only a couple minutes of towing.

Cons: Limited parking; the Mineral Creek entrance is rough and not ideal for everyone.
Engineer Pass North Access (near Animas Forks/Silverton side)
If you don’t mind a longer tow, many riders stage near the Silverton side for easier access to the central Alpine Loop without steep technical sections right away.

Pros: Smoother entry, more dispersed staging spots.

Cons: Longer drive from Ouray (45–55 minutes).

Some additional locations allow staging depending on space and season, but the three options above are the most consistent and rider-friendly.

If you want the closest place to Ouray with easy trailer parking, Ironton is almost always the best choice. From there, you can get into the main part of the Alpine Loop and ride for hours without touching pavement.

Tip: Always check seasonal road openings—some high passes don’t open until mid- or late-June depending on snowpack.
Tip: Start early in the day; weather changes quickly above 10,000 feet.
Tip: Fuel up in town before trailering—no services once you hit the staging areas.

Overall, staying in Ouray works beautifully for SXS riders. You’ll just need to tow 5–10 minutes to a legal staging point, and from there you’ll have full access to some of Colorado’s most beautiful high alpine roads. Many riders even prefer Ouray because of its restaurants, hot springs, and dramatic scenery.

Alpine Loop

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