A Dramatic High-Alpine Setting
Ophir sits at roughly 9,700 feet beneath sheer San Juan peaks, with scenery few towns in Colorado can match.
High-Alpine Seclusion · San Miguel County, Colorado
Living in Ophir, Colorado
A tiny residential town at about 9,700 feet, off Highway 145 between Telluride and Lizard Head Pass.
- Elevation
- About 9,700 ft
- Population
- 197 (2020 Census)
- Government
- Home rule town
- Schools
- Telluride School District R-1
- For sale now
- 12
- Median asking price
- $1.35M
Live listing figures as of November 6, 2026.
Why Ophir?
Ophir is a tiny town in San Miguel County, Colorado, set at about 9,700 feet on the high road between Telluride and Lizard Head Pass. With a population in the low hundreds, it is one of the smallest incorporated towns in the region and one of the most dramatically situated.
Homes for sale in Ophir
See all Ophir listings →Ophir grew as a silver mining camp in the 1870s and 1880s and nearly emptied when the mines closed, before being revived by residents drawn to its setting and seclusion. The town sits beneath sheer peaks, with the historic four-wheel-drive Ophir Pass route climbing east toward the Million Dollar Highway.
For buyers, Ophir offers something rare: a genuine small mountain town, surrounded by public land, about 20 minutes from Telluride along State Highway 145. It is remote and quiet by nature, and that is precisely its appeal.
Lifestyle
Life in Ophir
Genuine Seclusion
With a population in the low hundreds, Ophir is quiet and private by nature, surrounded almost entirely by public land.
Close to Telluride
Despite its remote feel, Ophir is only about 20 minutes from Telluride along State Highway 145.
Mining History
The town's silver-mining origins are still visible in its historic structures and the surrounding remnants of the 1880s boom.
Backcountry Access
Ophir Pass and the surrounding national forest put hiking, backcountry skiing, and four-wheel-drive routes directly at hand.
Ophir
Real Estate Overview
Ophir real estate is small in scale and limited in volume. The inventory is a mix of historic cabins, modest homes, and a small number of newer builds on constrained lots, hemmed in by steep terrain and surrounding public land.
Because so little trades here in any given year and the terrain so tightly limits buildable land, Ophir is a niche market. Buyers are typically seeking seclusion and setting rather than amenities, and patience is usually required to find the right property.
Before You Buy
What to know about owning in Ophir
No short-term rentals
The town's 2021 Master Plan says there is no commercial activity, including short-term rentals, within town limits, and calls for enforcing that. Plan to live in or hold a home here rather than rent it nightly, and confirm the current code with the town.
Avalanche zones
Parts of town are mapped as high or moderate avalanche hazard on the town's hazards overlay map, and building rules in those zones are stricter. Check where a lot falls on the map before you buy, and expect engineering requirements to build in a hazard zone.
Water and septic
The town runs a small public water system, but homes use individual septic systems reviewed by the county, which the Master Plan says limits home size. Ask about the water connection and the septic records for the specific property.
Winter access
Ophir is reached from Highway 145 by Ophir Road, and avalanches have closed that road, as in January 2023. Ophir Pass to the east is a seasonal four-wheel-drive route, not a winter road, so plan for storm days.
A residential-only town
Ophir has a single residential zone district and does not allow businesses in town, so groceries, services and work are a drive away.
Small-town permitting
Building in Ophir needs a town building permit under the International Residential Code. Lots are small and the terrain is steep, so check the buildable area, the hazard map and the permit process before you buy land.
Is Ophir the Right Fit?
Ophir tends to suit buyers who:
- Want a genuinely small, secluded mountain town
- Value dramatic high-alpine scenery and surrounding public land
- Are comfortable with remoteness and limited services
- Want backcountry and trail access directly from home
- Can be patient with a small, low-volume market within reach of Telluride
A Local Perspective
Ophir is a setting first and a market second. The town sits beneath some of the most dramatic terrain in the San Juans, and what draws buyers is the scenery and the seclusion rather than anything resembling resort convenience.
Because so few properties change hands here, the most important thing we tell buyers is to expect a wait. Ophir rewards patience: the right cabin or lot may take time to appear, and the search is as much about timing as selection.
Frequently asked questions about Ophir
How many homes are for sale in Ophir right now?
As of November 6, 2026, 12 homes, condominiums and lots were listed for sale in Ophir, with a median asking price of $1.35M. Asking prices are not sale prices, and inventory changes daily, so check current listings or ask Anne-Britt for recent closed sales.
Where is Ophir, Colorado?
Ophir is a tiny town in San Miguel County at about 9,700 feet, on State Highway 145 between Telluride and Lizard Head Pass. It is roughly 20 minutes from Telluride.
What is it like to live in Ophir?
Ophir is one of the smallest and most dramatically situated towns in the region, with a population in the low hundreds. It sits beneath sheer San Juan peaks, surrounded almost entirely by public land. It is remote and quiet by nature, with limited services, and that seclusion is its main appeal.
Is real estate available in Ophir?
Ophir real estate is a small, low-volume market of historic cabins, modest homes, and a few newer builds on constrained lots. Few properties trade in any given year, so buyers seeking Ophir's seclusion and setting should generally expect a patient search.
Can you short-term rent a home in Ophir?
Generally no. The Town of Ophir's 2021 Master Plan says there is no commercial activity, including short-term rentals, within town limits, and recommends enforcing that. Confirm the current code with the town before buying with rental income in mind.
Can you get to Ophir in winter?
Ophir is reached year-round from Highway 145 by Ophir Road, but avalanches can close the road, as one did in January 2023. Ophir Pass, the route east toward Silverton, is a seasonal four-wheel-drive road and not a winter option. Parts of town are also mapped as avalanche hazard zones, so check the town's map for any property you consider.
Explore more communities
Let's Talk About Ophir
If a small, secluded mountain town close to Telluride is what you are after, we can help you watch the limited Ophir market for the right property.