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Weather in Silverton
High altitude mining town above 9000 feet
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About Silverton
Silverton sits at 9,305 feet in a deep valley, a mining town frozen above timberline, surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks on all sides. The train journey from Durango is the prime access, a ride through landscapes inaccessible by road. Silverton remains a working town despite tourist influx, authentic rather than theme-park.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Silverton
Durango to Silverton train journey: scenic railroad descent
Ice Lake trail hiking: alpine lake and peak views
Kendall Mountain trail hiking: 12,000-foot ridge walk
American Basin wildflower hiking: alpine bloom explosion
Mine tours: historical gold and silver mining exploration
Ghost towns: nearby mining settlements ruins visit
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
-1C
Cold, with some rainy days.
February
-1C
Cold, with some rainy days.
March
2C
Cold, with some rainy days.
April
6C
Cold, with some rainy days.
May
10C
Cool, with some rainy days.
June
17C
Cool, with occasional showers.
July
21C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
August
20C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
September
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
October
10C
Cool, with occasional showers.
November
4C
Cold, with occasional showers.
December
-1C
Cold, with some rainy days.
Silverton is a remote former silver-mining town high in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, reached most famously by the historic narrow gauge railroad from Durango or via the dramatic Million Dollar Highway. Its wooden-fronted main street sits at over 9,300 feet, surrounded by some of the steepest, highest peaks in the Rockies, and in winter it's home to Silverton Mountain, a famously extreme, guide-required ski area for advanced skiers only.
Best areas to stay in Silverton
Greene Street
Silverton's main street of preserved 19th-century wooden buildings, shops, and the train depot.
Million Dollar Highway corridor
The dramatic stretch of US 550 connecting Silverton to Ouray, with sheer drop-offs and mountain views.
Silverton Mountain
An extreme, guide-required ski area on the edge of town, known for steep, ungroomed terrain.
Alpine Loop area
A network of high-altitude 4x4 roads connecting Silverton to old mining sites and alpine basins.
Getting to Silverton
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Flights
Fly into Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), about a 1-hour drive or scenic train ride.
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From London
~11-13 hours from London via Denver to Durango, plus the drive or train to Silverton.
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Getting around
Main street is walkable; a 4x4 is needed for the Alpine Loop and surrounding mining roads.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Silverton?
Summer is the main season, when the train runs and the surrounding high passes are accessible; winter access is limited and the ski area is for experts only.
How do I get to Silverton?
By the historic Durango & Silverton train, or by driving the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) from Durango or Ouray — a spectacular but narrow mountain road.
Is Silverton Mountain suitable for beginners?
No — it's one of the most extreme ski areas in the US, guide-required with no groomed runs, aimed squarely at expert skiers and snowboarders.
What is there to do in Silverton besides skiing?
Jeep tours on old mining roads, hiking to alpine lakes, and exploring the small mining museum and historic main street.
Is Silverton a ghost town?
Not quite — it's a small but living community, though it has a frontier, slightly time-capsule feel with many original 1880s buildings.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Drove the Million Dollar Highway into town, which was thrilling and terrifying in equal measure. Silverton itself feels wonderfully untouched by time.
Derek J. · August 2024
★★★★☆
Took the train from Durango and explored the old mining museum. Such a tiny remote town but full of character at over 9,000 feet.
Ella W. · July 2023
★★★★★
Skied Silverton Mountain with a guide and it was genuinely the most challenging terrain I've skied — not for the faint-hearted but unforgettable.
Ben C. · March 2024
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