Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Montrose
POP 19,000 / ELEV 5974FT
Montrose is an agricultural center and a wholesale supply point for Telluride, 65 miles to
the south. With the lofty San Juan Mountains to the south, the Black Canyon of the Gun-
nison National Park to the east, the Grand Mesa to the north and the Uncompahgre Plat-
eau to the west, it's a handy starting point for adventure. Historic buildings grace the old
center with atmosphere, one that is distinctly missing on the north-south US 550 route
with huge chain stores, motels and fast-food restaurants.
Though rather perfunctory, there are some good museums, antique stores and a clutch
of decent restaurants. But perhaps the best reason to stay in Montrose is to day-trip to the
awesome Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and to try your hand at mountain
biking on the Uncompahgre Plateau.
Sights
The vestiges of the old town can be found along Main St and near the old Denver & Rio
Grande Railroad Depot on N Rio Grande Ave. Some of the buildings date from the early
1880s, although the grander edifices were constructed around the turn of the 20th century
as Montrose moved from frontier railroad town to significant financial center. A set of 12
interpretive signs is installed in the historic five-block central area around Main St.
Montrose is also a good base from which to explore the
Cimarron Railroad Exhibit
(
www.nps.gov/cure/
;
)
, a restored steam locomotive, boxcar and caboose sitting on a
narrow-gauge bridge crossing the Cimarron River, about 20 miles east of town.
Ute Indian Museum
MUSEUM
(
970-249-3098;
www.historycolorado.org/museums/ute-indian-museum-0
; 17253 Chipeta Dr; adult/child $4.50/2;
9am-4pm Tue-Sat; )
One of the few American museums dedicated to one tribe.
The Ute are the traditional people of western Colorado. The museum is situated on a
homestead that belonged to legendary Uncompahgre Ute chief Ouray and his wife Chi-
peta. A visitor center is attached to the museum.
Museum of the Mountain West
(
MUSEUM
970-249-4162;
www.mountainwestmuseum.com
;
68169 E Miami Rd; adult/child $10/5;
8:30am-4:30pm
)
On display are a staggering number of pieces from the 1880s to the 1930s.
Mon-Sat;
