Centrally located in the state’s southwest, Chipeta Solar Springs Resort is the perfect destination to hang up your hat while you explore the Town of Ridgway’s numerous activities and attractions. Interestingly, Ridgway is the third city in Colorado known as an official Dark Sky Community, so visitors come from all over to star-gaze at the magnificent crystal clear, starry night skies.
“My husband designed and built Chipeta Solar Springs Resort in 1994 one building at a time. The vibe is rustic-casual with a southwestern style as we wanted to provide a serene alpine escape while also being close to nearby attractions,” says Owner Patsy Young.
When You’re Inside
The unique, upscale resort’s rooms are extremely inviting and warm—each equipped with a living room and kitchenette so you can easily make yourself at home. In fact, a recent renovation has increased the resort’s occupancy with eight new luxury suites featuring relaxing hot tubs.
Should you decide to take a dip outside, there are also two solar-powered hot springs you can enjoy—a pool and a larger hot tub—as well as a full-service spa and garden to stroll while you’re on the premises. “Our resort is named after Chief Ouray’s wife, Chipeta, a great Ute Indian. We are on some of the last land inhabited by the Ute tribe and we try to honor this by incorporating Ute art and culture into the resort,” adds Young.
Food & Drink
Ridgway is touted as a special Colorado “foodie town” and Chipeta Solar Springs Resort certainly adds its flavor. One of the resort’s revered on-site dining options, Four Corners, is open for breakfast Tuesday through Sunday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. With several high-end culinary creations to choose from, visitors rave about the Grilled Steak with Chimichurri, Flame Grilled Cheeseburger, Crab Cakes and the chef’s famous Caesar Salad.
Other favorite places to eat include True Grit Café and Colorado Boy Brewery, which have great outdoor seating areas—as well as Thai Paradise if you’re in the mood for something a little different. While dining, visitors can enjoy live music every Wednesday and Friday night, which adds to the welcoming atmosphere. And, of course, there are plenty of splendid drink options available around the resort that will whet your whistle, including a variety of specialty cocktails, wine, beer and sake on Sushi Night Thursdays.
What To Explore
Situated on the San Juan Skyway, it’s no surprise that this sought-after destination is surrounded by beautiful scenery and a plethora of activities to discover. If you’re up for a short drive to either immerse yourself in nature or perhaps challenge yourself on the terrain, you can explore Ouray, the Jeep capital of America, which is only 20 minutes away, Black Canyon of the Gunnison (30 minutes), Telluride (40 minutes), Mesa Verde (two hours) and Moab (three hours).
Plus, there are countless rivers, reservoirs, hiking and biking trails around the immediate Ridgway area. In the Summer, visitors can partake in rafting, wildflower viewing and bird watching along the Uncompahgre River Trail—or can bike the famous Rats Trails. For those who love music, the Ridgway Concert Series offers a ton of entertainment throughout the month of July and visitors love the annual Telluride Jazz Festival every August.
