Location: Durango
Top Things to do in Durango
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What to do and see in Durango, Colorado (CO): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Once a frontier mining town, Durango draws thousands of tourists year-round for the myriad outdoor recreational activities and scenic beauty. Mountain bikers, rafters, kayakers, horseback riders, rock climbers, hikers, campers, hunters and fishermen are drawn to the two-million acre San Juan National Forest and to the San Juan mountains, the largest range in the Rockies. But the city's biggest tourist draw is a nine-hour historic train ride in a vintage steam locomotive. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which hauled precious metals in the 1880s, now takes tourists for a 47-mile, open-air journey through mountains and forests and past abandoned mines to historic Silverton and back. Children and train buffs will relish the chance to climb into a locomotive and pore over railroad memorabilia at the railroad's museum. Skiers flock to the Durango Mountain Resort in winter, which also offers hiking, fishing, rafting and horseback riding in warmer months. Slow down your pace with a stroll past splendidly restored Victorian buildings in historic Downtown Durango and wind up a very active weekend in a local brewpub or saloon.
Restaurants in Durango
1. San Juan National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 566 reviews
Wilderness area consisting of forested mountains, 14,000-foot peaks, scenic roads, geological formations, prehistoric communities and a narrow-gauge railroad.
Reviewed By 321MarkA - Larkspur, United States
The San Juan National Forest, alone or when combined with the Rio Grand National Forest (to the northeast) and the Uncompahgre (to the northwest), cover a lot of the San Juan Mountain range: very high, very rugged, very old mountains. If you like hiking (Ice Lake, Island Lake, Columbine, Piedra Falls, and more), camping (formal and dispersed), jeeping/ATVing (Alpine Loop, Black Bear, Red Mountain Pass, Ophir Pass, Engineer Pass, Corkscrew Gulch plus many many more) , skiing (Purgatory/Durango Mountain, Telluride, Wolf Creek) , hot springs (Pagosa Springs, Ouray, Ridgeway), native American history (Mesa Verde National Park, canyon of the Ancients) , steam trains (Durango Silverton RR), ghost towns (mining ruins, Animas Forks, Read Mountain mining district, Ironton, Eureka, Mineral Point and many many more), endless vistas and views, lively towns (especially Durango and Pagosa Springs), Old and active mining towns (Silverton and Creed), tubing/ float trips (Durango) and much much more. You can spend weeks in this area and only see a small portion of it. Highly highly recommended vacation spot.
2. 4 Corners Whitewater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 234 reviews
Join 4 Corners Whitewater for river rafting trips in Durango and Telluride, Colorado. We offer raft trips down the Lower Animas and San Miguel Rivers which are suitable for the entire family. For you adrenaline seekers out there, join us for an adventure of a life time on our action packed Upper Animas river trip.
3. Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,495 reviews
Since 1981! Family & High Adventure Rafting, 4x4 Jeep Trail Tours, Mesa Verde National Park Tours, Official Durango Silverton Train Raft & Rail Package, Zip Line, Rock Climbing, Bicycle & SUP Rentals, Value Packages, Group, Military & Senior Discounts.
4. The Colorado Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 79 reviews
Spanning some 500 miles from Denver to Durango, this path crosses many different elevations and environments, including eight mountain ranges, seven national forests, six wilderness areas and five river systems, making it one of the most fascinating and scenic trails in the state.
Reviewed By debbien884 - Nashville, United States
We went out 25th street and hiked for an hour out and back on the Colorado Trail. Picked up some people that had been out in tents for 39 nights.
5. Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,348 reviews
Discover the magic of river rafting, guided jeep tours and Mesa Verde tours with Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours in Southwest Colorado. We offer 77 trip options for ages 4 to 84. Options include whitewater rafting adventures on rafts or inflatable kayaks, beginner stand-up paddle boarding instruction, jeep trail tours, Mesa Verde Tours and packages with a one-way ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train. Explore. Escape. Experience. And Always, Live with Adventure! Contact us today to plan your adventure!
6. Over the Hill Outfitters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 160 reviews
Over the Hill Outfitters offers everything horseback from one and two hour rides on their 1200 acre private quarter horse ranch to horsemanship clinics, photography workshops,5 day horseback expeditions and a Continental Divide Ride in the heart of the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan National Forest. We also provide guided hunting, drop camps and a packing service.
7. Snowmobile Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 816 reviews
We will show you how to ride one of our Polaris snowmobiles and send you out with one of our mountain guides. We have the most variety to offer with 35,000 acres of terrain, over 75 miles of trail, plus our own trail grooming equipment. There is a lot to choose from: meadow play grounds, old mine sites, stage coach trails, mountain passes, scenic overlooks, old log cabins, or just sight seeing and playing in the snow. Most importantly we will have fun - that's our specialty.
Reviewed By DaBenn15 - Denton, United States
My son and I went on this tour and we had a blast!!! Awesome guide, great machine, beautiful terrain!!! Would definitely do this again, maybe even do the 3 hour tour next time.
8. Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,102 reviews
Durango Rafting & Adventure Tour company at its Finest! For over 34 years we have been serving up the greatest adventures southwest Colorado can offer. We offer 2 hour and 4 hour River Raft Trips, Inflatable Kayak Trips on the Animas River and Wilderness expeditions on the Dolores River. We are located in the heart of downtown Durango, Co. Our tours include, Jeep Rentals, RZR Rentals, Zipline, train packages, 4x4 tours, Guided Mesa Verde Tours and Stand Up Paddle Boards.
9. Durango Community Recreation Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 111 reviews
The 71,557 square foot Durango Community Recreation Center offers a Lap and Leisure Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide, Outdoor Splash Pad, Racquetball Courts, Indoor Track, Aerobics Studio, Gymnasium, Youth Games Area, Cybex Free Weights and Pin Loaded Weight Equipment, Cardiovascular Equipment, Climbing Wall, meeting rooms, outdoor playground and Babysitting.
10. Southwest Raft & Jeep
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 142 reviews
We are a veteran owned, family friendly adventure company located in beautiful Durango, Colorado! We offer the best RAFTING and KAYAKING trips on the Animas River. We use smaller rafts with less customers which provides you with a faster, more exciting ride and a more personalized trip with your guide. We use paddle rigs for our rafting trips which allows you to be more involved and experience the fun of maneuvering the raft and pushing through the rapids. Our 4 HOUR RAFTING TRIP is very popular and includes a full lunch in the price! We also offer a RAFTING and ZIPLINE PACKAGE at a great discount. This package is one of our most popular activities. You can have an all day adventure including a 4 hour Raft Trip, a Full Lunch, and a 2 hour Zipline Tour all included in the price. In addition to our guided trips, we offer several water rentals to enjoy on your own: INFLATABLE KAYAKS, STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDS, and RIVER TUBES. If you want to get out and explore the beautiful outdoors, rent one of our JEEP WRANGLERS or LAND ROVERS. There are over 500 jeep trails to explore ghost towns and old mining camps while enjoying panoramic views.
