Recommended Day Trips

Our local, knowledgeable staff is always happy to make recommendations for a leisurely or adventurous day-trip. Following are just some of the activities we highly recommend. For more information, stop by our office or visit the Durango Tourism Office.

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers stunning canyon and mountain scenery like nowhere else. The 45-mile ride follows the Animas River Canyon through the San Juan Mountains, past 14,000-foot peaks and old mining camps. You’ll get ample time to explore the historic town of Silverton on foot, a Victorian gem at 9,318 feet.
http://www.durangotrain.com/

Many of the most notable and best-preserved cliff dwellings in the United States can be seen at Mesa Verde. Built by the Ancestral Pueblo people from 600 to 1300 AD, some dwellings are as large as 150 rooms. Take an informative, ranger-led tour through the most popular structures. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.
http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

Certainly one of the most beautiful drives in America, this 236-mile route winds over mountain passes and through small mining towns, showcasing some of the best scenery in Colorado. Even doing part of the loop, from Durango to Ouray, is a delightful, high-altitude adventure. This route is especially stunning in fall, when aspen trees turn to brilliant gold.
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/2101