Southwest Colorado

Durango,
Colorado

Where the mountains meet history — ride a steam train through the San Juans, ski world-class powder, and explore ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde.

Explore Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad →

🚂 Narrow Gauge Railroad ⛷️ Purgatory Ski Resort 🏛️ Mesa Verde 🚵 Mountain Biking 🚣 River Rafting 🏨 Hotels & Lodging

Why Durango?

A four-season mountain town with something for everyone — history, adventure, craft beer, and jaw-dropping scenery.

Narrow Gauge Railroad

Ride a 19th-century steam train through the spectacular Animas River gorge to the silver mining town of Silverton — one of America's greatest rail journeys.

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Mesa Verde National Park

Just 35 miles west, the ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde are among the most remarkable archaeological sites in North America.

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Purgatory Resort

Colorado's best-kept ski secret — 1,600 acres of varied terrain, 260+ inches of annual snowfall, and none of the Front Range crowds. 25 miles north of Durango.

Ski guide →

Outdoor Adventures

Durango is Colorado's outdoor capital — world-class trails, rivers, and peaks in every direction.

Mountain Biking Capital

Durango is legendary in the mountain biking world — birthplace of several World Champions, home to hundreds of miles of singletrack, and the first town in Colorado to earn a Gold-Level Ride Center designation from IMBA.

Trails range from beginner-friendly paths along the Animas River to expert-level descents on the Hermosa Creek Trail.

Biking Trails →

Animas River Adventures

The Animas River runs right through downtown Durango, offering everything from gentle flatwater kayaking to Class IV whitewater rafting through the Upper Animas gorge.

Summer is prime season — water levels are perfect from June through August. Fly fishing on the Animas is world-class year-round.

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Weminuche Wilderness

Colorado's largest wilderness area begins just north of Durango. Nearly 500,000 acres of pristine backcountry — alpine lakes, 14,000-foot peaks, and the Continental Divide Trail.

Day hikers can access spectacular scenery at Crater Lake, Potato Lake, and Haviland Lake. Backpackers can disappear for weeks.

Hiking Guide → Trail Maps on Amazon →

Downtown Durango

Durango's walkable historic downtown is one of Colorado's most vibrant — loaded with locally-owned restaurants, craft breweries, art galleries, and boutique shops, all set against a backdrop of Victorian architecture.

The craft beer scene here is exceptional. Ska Brewing, Steamworks Brewing, and Carver Brewing have been pouring award-winning Colorado ales for decades.

Restaurants & Bars →

4 Seasons of adventure in the San Juan Mountains

Gear Up for Durango

Pack the right gear for your Durango adventure — from mountain biking to backcountry hiking.

Bike Helmet

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Hiking Boots

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Hydration Pack

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Trekking Poles

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Mesa Verde Guide

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Just 50 Miles North

Don't Miss Silverton

The iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad ends in Silverton — a remote, jaw-dropping silver mining town at 9,300 feet. Visit both and make it the trip of a lifetime.

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