Colorado
Durango is the Colorado mountain town that still runs on steam: a Victorian Main Avenue built by the railroad, a coal-fired narrow gauge train that climbs the Animas River canyon to Silverton, and a river that doubles as a summer playground.
Around it lie the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, the high passes of the Million Dollar Highway, hot springs, a family-friendly ski mountain at Purgatory and the wild San Juan Mountains. This guide covers 18 things to do, 8 places to stay and 6 travel guides, from first-time planning to the best seasons.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with Silverton Jeep Tour
The coal-fired steam train that has climbed the Animas River canyon to Silverton since 1882, paired here with a jeep tour in the high San Juan country. The one experience that defines Durango.
Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
A GPS-triggered audio guide for one of the most dramatic mountain roads in the country, from Durango over Molas, Coal Bank and Red Mountain passes to Silverton and Ouray.
Mesa Verde National Park Full Day Tour
A guided full day to Mesa Verde National Park, the largest archaeological preserve in the United States, with transport from Durango and an expert to explain the ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
Animas River Half-Day Rafting Trip
A guided half-day float through the lively rapids and calmer stretches of the lower Animas River, right at the edge of downtown Durango. The classic summer adventure for first-time rafters.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The coal-fired steam train that has climbed the Animas River canyon to Silverton since 1882, paired here with a jeep tour in the high San Juan country. The one experience that defines Durango.
A National Historic Landmark mining town at 9,300 feet, ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. Free to wander, easy to reach by train or on the Million Dollar Highway, and unlike anywhere else in Colorado.
A GPS-triggered audio guide for one of the most dramatic mountain roads in the country, from Durango over Molas, Coal Bank and Red Mountain passes to Silverton and Ouray.
A guided full day to Mesa Verde National Park, the largest archaeological preserve in the United States, with transport from Durango and an expert to explain the ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
A shorter guided trip to Mesa Verde that includes tickets to Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, so you can see the headline site without handling the ranger-tour reservation yourself.
Explore Mesa Verde at your own pace in your own car, with GPS-triggered narration at the overlooks, mesa-top villages and cliff dwelling viewpoints along the park loops.
See Mesa Verde in the soft light of dawn, before the heat and the crowds arrive, on an early-morning tour that suits photographers and anyone who likes a quiet park.
A guided half-day float through the lively rapids and calmer stretches of the lower Animas River, right at the edge of downtown Durango. The classic summer adventure for first-time rafters.
A shorter, gentler guided raft trip on the lower Animas River designed for families, first-timers and younger children, with all the fun of the river and none of the pressure.
Paddle your own inflatable kayak down the lower Animas River with a guide alongside. A more hands-on way to enjoy the river for adventurous travelers who want to steer for themselves.
A guided half-day in an open-air jeep through La Plata Canyon, west of Durango, with old mining ruins, mountain meadows and views of the La Plata range.
A full day in the high San Juan Mountains with a guide, built for travelers who want alpine scenery, fresh air and backcountry stories beyond what the main highways reveal.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Historic Downtown
A Victorian landmark on Main Avenue, built in 1887, with period furnishings, a famous saloon and a location steps from the narrow gauge depot. The most atmospheric address in Durango.
Check rates →Historic Downtown
A small Victorian hotel on Main Avenue named for the founder of the railroad that built Durango, with period decor, a warm lobby and an easy walk to the depot, restaurants and shops.
Check rates →Historic Downtown
A boutique hotel just off Main Avenue whose rooms celebrate the Western films shot around Durango, paired with a neighboring historic house, a courtyard feel and a leafy residential-style street.
Check rates →Durango
A dependable, modern chain hotel for travelers who want predictable comfort, easy parking and a short drive to downtown Durango, the train and the highways north and west.
Check rates →Downtown by the Animas River
A modern hotel positioned downtown beside the Animas River, giving you chain-hotel comfort with an easy walk to Main Avenue, the riverfront trail and the narrow gauge depot.
Check rates →Durango
A value-focused chain hotel with suite options, on-site parking and straightforward comfort, suited to families, road-trippers and budget-conscious travelers exploring southwest Colorado.
Check rates →Silverton (nearby town)
A historic hotel in Silverton, the mining town at the end of the narrow gauge line, offering a night in the high San Juans with period character and the quiet that follows the last train.
Check rates →Ouray (nearby town)
A lodge in Ouray, the Switzerland of America, with geothermal soaking on site and a short walk to town, ideal for those who continue north from Durango along the Million Dollar Highway.
Check rates →A practical first-visit guide to Durango, Colorado: the train, the river, Mesa Verde, the mountains and downtown, with advice on what to book first and how to pace your days.
A three-day Durango itinerary that fits in the narrow gauge train, Mesa Verde, a river trip and a hot spring soak, with pacing tips and alternatives for different seasons.
How to choose where to stay in Durango: historic downtown hotels, newer chain properties, and overnight options in Silverton and Ouray, with trade-offs for each.
Everything to know before riding the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge train: route, timing, seats, seasons, the Silverton layover, jeep package options and what to pack.
How to visit Mesa Verde National Park from Durango: guided full-day tours, Cliff Palace express trips, sunrise tours and audio drives, with planning tips on tickets, seasons and clothing.
A season-by-season guide to Durango: rafting and the train in summer, aspen color in autumn, skiing and hot springs in winter, mud and runoff in spring, with crowd and price notes.
