Yankee Boy Basin

Yankee Boy Basin is a stunning alpine basin located near the town of Ouray, Colorado. This high-altitude valley is surrounded by rugged peaks and is famous for its wildflower displays in the summer months. Yankee Boy Basin is a popular destination for hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts, and it's easy to see why.

The basin was originally settled in the late 1800s by miners who were drawn to the area's rich mineral deposits. Today, the basin is primarily used for recreation and is a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts. The basin is accessible by a rough dirt road that winds up the mountain from Ouray. Most of the road is mild, but as you get to the last section that goes above the tree line to the highest trailhead it requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate.

Yankee Boy has been our top, must-do recommendation for anyone visting Ouray. The basin is surrounded by towering peaks, including 14,000-foot Mount Sneffels, which is one of the most prominent peaks in the area. In late summer, wildflowers are in bloom all across the basin, and it's not uncommon to see fields of lupine, columbine, and paintbrush lining the hillsides.  Beyond that, the waterfalls are some of the best you'll ever see.

Whether you're hiking, photographing, or just enjoying the scenery, a trip to Yankee Boy Basin is an experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone visiting the Ouray area.

If you're interested, check out Jason Koertge as he shares his experience at Yankee Boy.