Durango - Southwest Colorado
A city created by the railroad, Durango retains a "Frontier West" feeling; yet it is the home of Fort Lewis College and Durango Mountain Resort. Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and set amidst reddish, sandstone bluffs, this town bustles with activity and adventure. Year round outdoor activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and downhill skiing in the two-million acres of the San Juan National Forest.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge
Railroad & Museum
Take a walk through living history on Main Street, Durango's National Register Historic District, with gift shops, saloons and ice cream shops there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is the country's only coal-and-steam-powered train operating daily with round trips to Silverton; chugging along sheer cliffs, criss-crossing the Animas River on its' 45 mile trip. The Animas River, "river of lost souls", has exciting whitewater rafting during spring run-off and settles down in the summer for family jaunts. Rent a bike for a day and discover why this area is so popular with mountain bikers.
Vallecito Lake near Bayfield is a beautiful mountain lake; 23 miles northeast of Durango. Enjoy a quiet, intimate visit to a secluded mountain valley, home to one of Colorado's largest lakes at an elevation of 8,000 feet. Surrounding the lake are a variety of accommodations and recreation opportunities. Cabins, dude and guest ranches, motel units, RV parks and campgrounds, are available along with marinas, stables, restaurants, stores and gift shops. Boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing are all part of the allure of this year round outdoor mecca.
Just west of Vallecito Lake is the smaller Lemon (Reservoir) Lake. Only the east side of the lake is accessible by County Road 243. Fishing is good as it is stocked with trout and kokanee salmon. Lemon Lake is also a fun place to boat, sail and wind surf.
Hesperus is a tiny community outside Durango; its "ski hill" is lit for night skiing and there's a tubing hill for kids. Believe it or not the "ski-hill" has a snack bar and warming hut. There is great hunting here in the fall.
Located in southwestern Colorado, Ignacio, is within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. The Sky Ute Casino is the main attraction and features gaming halls, a bowling alley and new Cultural Center and Museum. Lake Capote is the reservation's top trout-fishing destination.
25 miles north of Durango is Durango Mountain Resort (FKA Purgatory), which offers the unpretentious skiing of the southwest. Also nearby is Wolf Creek Ski Area for even more downhill skiing.
Commercial air travel accommodations are handled by Durango - La Plata County Airport. Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements.
Durango is near: Farmington, New Mexico, Mesa Verde Area, Navajo Lake, Pagosa Springs Area & Silverton
Durango Featured Businesses
20 miles southeast of Durango. Relax in luxury at the hotel offering a Las Vegas style casino; or bring your RV and camp under the Stars. Amenities: casino, dining, bowling, indoor pool, lazy river & day spa.
Relive history on board the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with year-round scenic train trips through the San Juan mountains. "A Top 10 Most Exciting Train Journeys in the World!"
Where guests become friends. Cabins and vacation homes with kitchens. Our indoor pool is open year around for family fun! Overlooking beautiful Vallecito Lake, in San Juan Mountains near Durango.
All Durango Businesses
The ultimate luxury river cabin. A vacation rental cabin nestled in the beautiful mountains 15 minutes from Durango. Relax in the heart of La Plata Canyon. Eco-Friendly - off the grid with new solar system!
25 miles northeast of Durango. 3,000 foot frontage on Vallecito Lake and Pine River, full hookup sites, tenting area, fully equipped cabins (some handicap), and camper cabins in wooded surroundings.
Experience Mesa Verde's unspoiled beauty at Far View Lodge or Morefield Campground. Rooms have a private balcony and refrigerator. Meal options are casual patio dining to an elegant culinary experience.
Near Vallecito Lake, 25 miles northeast of Durango; 1, 2 & 3 bedroom modern cabins, and 1 to 6 bedroom vacation homes in a woodsy, relaxing, uncrowded environment, some along the river.
Five vacation rentals in splendid mountain seclusion on 85 acres near Pagosa Springs. Groups welcome! New, beautifully furnished log homes with internet access, smoke-free and incredible views!
Nestled in Cherry Creek Valley outside of Durango, guests have the chance to experience ranch life the way the cowboys did. . . ranch-style breakfasts. . . solitude & tranquillity. . . plus horse & cattle activities.
Twice Named Colorado's "Company of the Year." Offering 1/2 to 10 day whitewater rafting trips on 5 Colorado rivers. Featuring Inn-to-Inn rafting, horseback riding, jeeping and downhill mountain biking.
Family fun abounds at the Ranch located in the beautiful San Juan mountains just north of Durango with comprehensive western riding and children's program plus some of the best fly-fishing in the Nation.
Full Service Marina -- Open from Ice to Ice: A plethora of boats to get out on Vallecito Lake near Durango CO, from the catch aboard "Pike Slayer" to carving your way behind a ski boat, you will feel the THRILL!
Relive history on board the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with year-round scenic train trips through the San Juan mountains. "A Top 10 Most Exciting Train Journeys in the World!"
Close, Convenient, Fun for the whole family: heated pool, mini golf, dog park, pancake breakfast, pizza delivered to your site. 7 miles from downtown and Durango & Narrow Gauge Train Depot. WI-FI is free.
On the Quiet Side of Vallecito Lake, NE of Durango. Lakefront 1, 2, & 3 bedroom cabins. On-site horse rides, canoes, kayaks, SUPs, WI-FI & hot tub. Weddings & groups welcome. Open year round!
1 & 2 bedroom cozy, modern cabins with kitchens decorated with a western flair on 10 acres along the San Juan River. 1 mile east of Pagosa Springs. Dogs ($). Horses welcome FREE. Free WI-FI. Hot tub.
An elegant Hotel, built in 1898, in downtown Durango only steps from the train station. AAA has given this Historic Landmark a 4-Diamond Rating each year since 1975! ASK ABOUT OUR RAFTING PACKAGES.
Durango's only Bi-level suites offer more room to relax. Outdoor swimming pool (Memorial Day - Labor Day) with huge play system and picnic area. Family suites have kitchens. Free continental breakfast.
Perfect for your family! Durango's Pros for 30+ years! Guided Raft Trips on the Animas River. Package your trip with a ride on the Durango/Silverton Train, Guided 4x4 Tour, or Animas River Trail Bike Rentals.
The 27th Festival of orchestra, chamber music & conservatory performances of classical and world music. Gregory Hustis, Guillermo Figueroa and Arkady Fomin bring musicians together in Durango, CO.
A TOWNHOME RESORT . . . In the shadow of the San Juan Mountains at the base of Hermosa Cliffs, 23 miles north of Durango; 2 miles to Durango Mountain Resort Ski Area. Your family vacation destination.
Riverside hot tub. River fishing. Listen to the sound of the river as you relax on your cabin deck. 1,400' of river front in a beautiful park-like setting & just 12 miles NE of Durango. Relaxing is what we're all about!
Where guests become friends. Cabins and vacation homes with kitchens. Our indoor pool is open year around for family fun! Overlooking beautiful Vallecito Lake, in San Juan Mountains near Durango.
Guided tours in the majestic San Juan Backcountry near Silverton, Colorado. Choose a 4x4, ATV, dirt bike or snowmobile & have fun in Colorado's Mountains. Or head out on your own after renting from us.
Outstanding views. Newest and highest rated RV Park with Hot Tub. In historic Silverton at base of Kendall Mountain. FREE WI-FI. Rent a Jeep here and explore the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway.
20 miles southeast of Durango. Relax in luxury at the hotel offering a Las Vegas style casino; or bring your RV and camp under the Stars. Amenities: casino, dining, bowling, indoor pool, lazy river & day spa.
5,000 sqft luxury home in Durango: 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, hot tub, sleeps 20. Walk to Hot Spring Spa & Olympic pool. 1mi to golf, 15mi to Durango Mtn Ski Resort. All with guest rates. Small reunions welcome.
Service ALL BRANDS & types of RV's. NEW & used RV sales. 45 miles from Farmington. 2 miles south of Durango on Highways 160 & 550 across from Wal-Mart. Easy on/off with stop-light & circle driveway.
Five miles north of historic Durango in the beautiful Animas River Valley this RV Park has 60X30 sites with 30 & 50 amp hookups, lot of trees and free WI-FI. Next to Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs.
RV Sales, Service & Rentals
Service ALL BRANDS & types of RV's. NEW & used RV sales. 45 miles from Farmington. 2 miles south of Durango on Highways 160 & 550 across from Wal-Mart. Easy on/off with stop-light & circle driveway.
For more travel information contact:
Durango Activities and Maps
National Parks and Monuments:
Chimney Rock Archaeological Site
Mesa Verde National Park
Scenic Byways:
San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway
Seasonal Attractions:
Music in the Mountains
Hiking Trails:
The Colorado Trail
Rafting & Kayaking:
Piedra River
Jeep & 4WD:
Durango Jeeping & ATV Trails
Hot Springs:
Durango Hot Springs
Ski Areas & Resorts:
Durango Mountain Ski Resort
Cabins/Cottages
Motels & Hotels
Lodges
Vacation Homes
Condos & Suites
Bed & Breakfast
Tent Camping
RV Parks
RV Sales & Rentals
Romance Packages
Family Friendly
Pets Welcome
By Water Rentals
Swimming Pools
Guest Horses
Groups/Reunions
Weddings & Elope
Winter Lodging
Transportation
Colorado Maps
Events
National Parks
Scenic Byways
Hot Springs
Horse Riding
ATVing
Jeeping & 4WD
Rafting/Kayaking
Attractions
Golfing
Restaurants
More Fun Stuff
Hunting
Snowmobiling
Skiing/Boarding
Snowshoeing
Cross-Country Ski