Do Silverton is a time-capsule. Ouray and Lake City. The town itself is over 9,000 feet above sea level. The winters are exceedingly long in San Juan County and agriculture is nonexistent because of the very short growing season. The town is located 43 miles north of Durango, on the scenic byway known as the San Juan Skyway.
Telluride is about four hours away.
Fishing in the area is pretty well restricted to several small lakes which do have good trout fishing. Molas, Little Molas and Andrews lakes are located a few miles south of Silverton, just off Highway 550. A trail heads from the South Mineral Campground along the South Fork of the creek to four little lakes where there are cutthroat trout in good number. A popular summer activity is jeep touring, using the network of old mining roads and trails through the high alpine area. The byway, suited only for 4WD vehicles, is reached by driving to the north end of Silverton and continuing past the mine operations, along the creek.