The community is located primarily on the north bank of the confluence of the Duchesne and Green rivers at an elevation of 4,675 feet (1,425 m).[1] (The confluence of the Green and White rivers is approximately 1.5 miles [2.4 km] further south.)[2] Ouray is situated within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation at the southern terminus of State Route 88, about 26.5 miles (42.6 km) south-southwest of Vernal.[3]
The area was first settled by Europeans in the early 1830s when a trading post was established by Frenchfur trader, Antoine Robidoux. The trading post was also known as Antoine Robidoux' Fort. Although he moved the trading post further north within a few years, the settlement remained in use and became known as Fort Kit Carson. (Some of the remains of structures from this earlier settlement still exist.)[5][6]
Decades later, in 1881, an Indian agency for the Uncompahgre band of the Utes was established and included a post office for the area.[7] At that time the settlement received its current name of Ouray. In response to the Meeker Massacre in Colorado in 1879, Fort Thornburgh was built in the area in 1886, but was moved to near the present day Vernal less than a year later.[5] (However, the "new" Fort Thornburgh was abandoned several years after that when it was replaced by Fort Duchesne at the present site of Fort Duchesne.)[6][8]
Even with the abandonment of the forts in the area, the community still prospered. However, by the late 1920s the population began to slowly decline. By December 1964, the post office finally closed.[5][7]
Climate
Ouray has a cold semi-arid climate (BSk) with short but cold winters and long, hot summers. Precipitation is sparse year round.
Climate data for Ouray, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present
