Living in Silverton, Colorado
High-Alpine Historic Town
Why Silverton?
Silverton is the only town in San Juan County, Colorado, set at about 9,300 feet in a high valley ringed by 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks. San Juan County is the highest county in the United States by mean elevation, and Silverton is its lone municipality and county seat.
Founded in the 1870s as a silver mining center, Silverton preserved its Victorian core so completely that the town is a designated National Historic Landmark District. It is the northern terminus of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which still runs steam trains through the Animas River canyon.
Silverton is a destination for serious mountain recreation -- Silverton Mountain offers some of the most challenging lift-served terrain in North America, and the surrounding peaks draw backcountry skiers, climbers, and four-wheel-drive travelers. It connects to Ouray over the Million Dollar Highway.
Lifestyle
Life in Silverton
National Historic Landmark District
Silverton's Victorian core is preserved as a National Historic Landmark District, a near-intact 1880s mining town.
The Narrow Gauge Railroad
Silverton is the northern end of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, whose steam trains run through the Animas River canyon.
Silverton Mountain
Silverton Mountain offers expert-oriented terrain that is among the most challenging lift-served skiing in North America.
The Highest County in the US
San Juan County is the highest county in the country by mean elevation, and Silverton sits deep in its high, peak-ringed valley.
The Million Dollar Highway
Silverton anchors the southern end of the Million Dollar Highway, the dramatic US 550 route over the San Juans to Ouray.
Silverton
Real Estate Overview
Silverton real estate is a small, distinctive market: historic homes and cabins on the town grid, a limited number of newer builds, and properties that come with genuine high-alpine living. The very high elevation and long winters shape both the housing stock and who buys here.
Inventory is limited and turnover is low. Silverton draws buyers committed to a remote, historic, recreation-driven life at altitude, and the market rewards those who understand what year-round living above 9,000 feet actually involves.
View Properties in Silverton →Is Silverton the Right Fit?
Silverton tends to suit buyers who:
- Want a remote, authentic, high-altitude mountain town
- Value a preserved National Historic Landmark District
- Are drawn to serious backcountry skiing, climbing, and four-wheel-drive country
- Understand what year-round living above 9,000 feet involves
- Are comfortable with a small, low-turnover market and long winters
A Local Perspective
Silverton is the most committed choice in the region. It sits in the highest county in the country, the winters are long, and the town is genuinely remote -- and for the buyers it suits, those are the reasons to be there rather than drawbacks.
The most honest conversation about Silverton is about elevation and season. Living above 9,000 feet year-round is a real adjustment, and the buyers who thrive here are clear-eyed about it and drawn to the recreation and history that come with it.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Silverton
Where is Silverton, Colorado?
Silverton is the only town in San Juan County, set at about 9,300 feet in a high valley ringed by 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks. San Juan County is the highest county in the United States by mean elevation. Silverton connects to Ouray over the Million Dollar Highway.
What is Silverton known for?
Silverton is known for its preserved Victorian core, a designated National Historic Landmark District; for being the northern terminus of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad; and for Silverton Mountain, which offers some of the most challenging lift-served ski terrain in North America.
What is it like to live in Silverton year-round?
Silverton is a remote, high-altitude community with long winters -- living above 9,000 feet year-round is a genuine adjustment. The town is small with limited services, and is best suited to buyers committed to a recreation-driven mountain life and clear-eyed about the elevation and season.
What is the real estate market like in Silverton?
Silverton real estate is a small, distinctive market of historic homes and cabins on the town grid plus a limited number of newer builds. Inventory is limited and turnover is low, so the market rewards buyers who understand high-alpine living and are patient with a small selection.
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Let's Talk About Silverton
If a remote, historic, high-alpine town is genuinely what you want, we can help you navigate Silverton's small and distinctive market.