The True Grit Café (above) in Ridgway memorializes the town’s adventures with U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn. Much of the 1969 western “True Grit” was filmed in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, and nearby towns like Ridgway. The movie got John Wayne’s only Academy Award.

Elevation 6985, Population 900

Named for R.M. Ridgway, superintendent of the Mountain Division of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, Ridgway was a station for wagon transportation to the mines.

At the junction of U.S. 550, toward Ouray, and Colorado 62, heading to Telluride, Ridgway marks that moment when the San Juans begin to reveal their remarkable size and beauty. In the late 1800s, Ridgway was a link along the Rio Grande Southern Railroad’s route to Durango, and later a miner’s supply town and cattle ranching hub.

Only 9 miles from the town of Ouray, Ridgway’s great outdoors - the “Switzerland of America” - welcomes those from near and far. Ridgway is home to designer, Ralph Lauren, who maintains approximately 22,000 acres of the world’s most scenic land. Ridgway is also home to Billings Artworks – the foundry for the authentic Grammy Awards. Local artist & musician, John Billings, occasionally grants tours of the foundry to groups. Reservations required well in advance. Please contact the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce.

The extraordinarily beautiful & award-winning, 7,039-yard course at Divide Ranch & Golf Club features a high-mesa forest of pinon, juniper and ponderosa pine and phenomenal views of four Rocky Mountain peaks. The Club is located just four miles from Ridgway, less than thirty miles from Montrose and its regional airport, and a short drive from Telluride, Ouray and Black Canyon National Park.

And only two miles north of town is Ridgway State Park & Reservoir, which encompasses a 1,000-acre reservoir off the Uncompahgre River. Camping, boating, picnicking, hiking and fishing are all popular pursuits at the park. A visitor’s center can point you in the right direction or offer a nature program. At nearby Orvis Hot Springs Orvis was the historic, sacred hot springs of the Ute Indians. It offers several pools, is “swimsuit optional,” very clean and beautifully landscaped.