Planning your trip to Colorado’s Yankee Boy Basin

THE BEST WAY

From LAX, US Airways, Delta and United have connecting service (change of plane) to Durango. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $381.

The San Juan Skyway from Durango to Ouray includes the aptly named Million Dollar Highway, which is stunningly scenic but challenging because of its many hairpin turns.

WHERE TO STAY

The Ouray Chamber Resort Assn., www.ouraycolorado.com, has a list of the area’s many hotels and motels.

The 4J+1+1 RV Park, 790 Oak St., Ouray; (970) 325-4418, www.ouraycolorado.com/rv4j. On the river about two blocks from Main Street. Playground, laundry and Wi-Fi access. Rates $20 to $26 per night for two people.

Amphitheater Campground, where we stayed, has 35 sites at an elevation of 8,400 feet. It’s managed by the U.S. Forest Service, and reservations can be made through (877) 444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. A campsite is $16 a night.

WHERE TO EAT

Ouray offers a variety of eating places, from ice cream parlors to expensive steakhouses, some of which serve elk and buffalo meat.

Maggie’s Kitchen, 1700 N. Main St., Ouray; (970) 325-0259, in the Timber Ridge Campground on the north end of town. The Denver Post says it has the best burgers on the western slope of the Rockies. We tried them and found them outstanding. Burgers $8 to $10.

Historic Western Hotel & Saloon Restaurant, 210 7th Ave., Ouray; (970) 325 4645, www.historicwesternhotel.com. Offers more formal dining (but not a lot more) and many historic trappings. The trout is excellent. Like other local restaurants, elk also is on the menu. Reservations are a good idea. Entrees $12 to $25.

TO LEARN MORE

Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700, Denver, CO 80202; (800) 265-6723, www.colorado.com.

The Ouray Chamber Resort Assn., www.ouraycolorado.com, provides a helpful guide to lodgings, restaurants, shops, jeep tours and more.

I recommend these maps for hikers: “Trails Illustrated Map of the Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City” area from National Geographic for $9.95, and the excellent “Hiking Trails of Ouray County” ($7) by the Ouray Trail Group, www.ouraytrails.org.

“Wildflowers of Colorado Field Guide” by Don Mammoser with Stan Tekiela, published by Adventure Publications; available for $11.53 at Amazon.com.