Visit

Visit Durango, Colorado

The hub of Colorado's southwest corner.

Board the Durango & Silverton railroad, float the Animas River, discover Durango's historic downtown and plan a day that fits your pace.

Plan your trip
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A Perfect Day

One Day in Durango

Morning

Coffee and a slow walk down Main Avenue before the train whistle — the historic blocks are quietest before ten.

Afternoon

Ride the narrow gauge toward Cascade Canyon, bike the Animas River Trail or point the car north toward Purgatory.

Evening

Dinner downtown, then ragtime at the Diamond Belle inside the Strater. Durango stays up later than most mountain towns.

Things To Do

Year-round adventures

A railroad, a river and 300 days of sun. These are the experiences that make Durango more than a pass-through.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The 1882 steam line up the Animas canyon — the ride that built both towns.

Animas River Rafting

Splashy town-run floats to full-day whitewater, launching right from Durango.

Mesa Verde Day Tours

Guided trips from Durango to the cliff dwellings — Cliff Palace ticket included.

La Plata Canyon Jeep Tours

Guided 4x4 runs to waterfalls and high-country mining trails west of town.

San Juan Zipline Adventure

Six lines through the pines in the San Juan Mountains just outside Durango.

Durango After Dark Ghost Tour

An hour of rail-yard hauntings and gorge lore once the sun drops.

Animas River Trail

Seven paved miles of river through the middle of town — walk, bike or watch the rafts.

Purgatory Resort

Skiing 25 miles north in winter, lift-served biking and alpine slides in summer.

Historic Downtown & Main Avenue

A National Historic District of 1880s storefronts — galleries, saloons and patios.

More Durango adventures

Kayaking, scenic flights, jeep rentals and 29 bookable experiences in all.

Where To Stay

Sleep in the story

From an 1887 grand hotel to garden inns and slopeside lodges, Durango sleeps in period detail — most of it within walking distance of Main Avenue.

Historic

Strater Hotel

Historic 1887 hotel · 699 Main Avenue

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Historic

General Palmer Hotel

Victorian hotel, built 1898 · 567 Main Avenue

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Boutique

Rochester Hotel

Garden inn · 726 E. Second Avenue

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Boutique

Leland House Suites

Suite-style inn · E. Second Avenue

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Full service

DoubleTree by Hilton Durango

Riverside hotel on the Animas · near downtown

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Value

Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Downtown-adjacent · free breakfast & parking

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Resort

Purgatory Resort Lodging

Slopeside condos & lodge rooms · 25 miles north on US 550

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Plan

Not sure where to stay?

Tell Abbi your dates and your pace.

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Cabins & Camps

Sleep under the pines

Cabin resorts, a campground the steam train runs straight through, and forest sites minutes from town.

Camp

United Campground of Durango

The narrow gauge steams right through the property · Animas riverside

Directions →
Forest

Junction Creek Campground

San Juan National Forest · 6 miles up Junction Creek Road

Directions →
Rentals

Vacation rentals on Vrbo

Whole homes & family-size rentals in and around town

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Plan

Dispersed & backcountry camping

Haviland Lake, Vallecito & free forest sites — ask Abbi.

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Browse Every Stay

The full Durango map

Every bookable hotel, cabin and rental around Durango — live prices, one map.

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Where To Eat

A river town that cooks

College-town energy, ranch-country supply. Hours shift with the seasons — check before you make the drive.

Eat

636 Main Ave

Steaks & seafood · formerly Ken & Sue's · 636 Main Avenue

Menu →
Eat

Steamworks Brewing Co.

Brewpub · 801 E. Second Avenue

Directions →
Eat

James Ranch Grill

Ranch-to-table · Animas Valley, north on US 550

Directions →
Eat

Diamond Belle Saloon

Ragtime saloon in the Strater · 699 Main Avenue

Directions →
Plan

Can't decide?

Tell Abbi what you're craving.

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Explore Colorado

More Colorado Adventures

Explore scenic drives, historic places, protected landscapes and iconic peaks throughout Colorado.

Events

Coming up in Durango

What's on in Durango over the weeks ahead.

5–9 Aug

La Plata County Fair

La Plata County Fairgrounds · rodeo, 4-H and carnival

Details →
20 Aug

Durango Blues Train

Live blues aboard the narrow gauge · confirm full run

Details →
19–20 Sep

Durango Autumn Arts Festival

Juried fine art fair on E. 2nd Avenue downtown

Details →

Shop Local

Take Durango home

Main Avenue keeps its storefronts local — books, Native art, flies and galleries.

Shop

Maria's Bookshop

Independent bookstore since 1984 · 960 Main Avenue

Website →
Shop

Toh-Atin Gallery

Native American fine art · 145 W. Ninth Street

Website →
Shop

Duranglers Flies & Supplies

Fly shop & guide service · 923 Main Avenue

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Move Here

Could Durango become home?

Learn about housing, winter, work and daily life, then connect with a local broker through the Durango relocation page.

Make the move

Housing, seasons, jobs and what daily life really costs — then a broker introduction when you're ready.

Broker introductions are subject to Explore Colorado's referral disclosure.

For Business Owners

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Business Opportunities

Buy a business. Sell a business.

Buying an established business can be one path to making Colorado home. Owners considering a sale can begin a separate, confidential conversation.

Nearby Towns

Every highway out is a day trip

Durango sits at the hub of southwest Colorado. Pick a direction.