Silverton: History and Mountain Adventures

Silverton combines a distinctive historic character with mountain and winter experiences. Today, Silverton is a National Historic Landmark District. At the same time, possible travel themes range from museums and mining history to a historic rail journey, as well as skiing, hiking, sledding, tubing, and snowmobiling.

Historical Insights Around Silverton

The San Juan County Historical Society operates the Mining Heritage Center. In Silverton, it also operates the 1902 County Jail Museum. Both names provide culturally interested travelers with specific points of reference for exploring the region’s past. The Mayflower Mill is also part of the historical landscape: it has been designated a National Historical Landmark. Silverton itself is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark District, providing a clear historical focus for trip planning.

Another special experience is the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour. It includes a ride on a mine train, a guided tour through an underground mine, and, outside the mine, panning for gold and silver. This combination of a ride, a guided tour, and a hands-on activity appeals to travelers who want to learn about history not only through exhibits but also through tangible experiences.

Mountains, Winter, and Trails

At Silverton Mountain, a single chairlift takes skiers to an elevation of 12,300 feet. Silverton Mountain provides access to a high-alpine environment with 1,819 acres of runs in all directions. The chairlift also enables easy hikes along a ridge to terrain with up to 3,000 feet of elevation change in a single descent. This allows you to distinguish between a skiing experience and a hike in a high-alpine environment when planning your trip.

In winter, Kendall Mountain Ski Area offers family-friendly recreational activities such as sledding and tubing. Silverton also has groomed trails for snowmobiling. Many hiking trails begin in the town of Silverton.

OHV Routes and the Historic Railway

OHVs are permitted on a limited number of routes in Silverton. The first OHV section of the Alpine Loop begins at an OHV staging area behind the RV park. These regulations are among the practical points you should consider when planning a stay with off-highway vehicles. The limited route selection makes it advisable to determine your desired section in advance.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a National Historic Landmark. From early May through October, it transports passengers to Silverton and back. If the historic railway is to be an important part of your trip, this period is crucial for your planning. For a vacation rental in Silverton, you can therefore first decide whether to focus on the seasonal train ride, the historic sites, or the mountain and winter offerings.

For the broader travel overview: San Juan County.