Travel Stories
Durango Travel Guides
Itineraries, seasonal trip ideas, and local favorites to help you plan the perfect Durango getaway — then jump straight to the places that make it happen.
Plan Your Trip
Getting here, weather and logistics for planning a Durango trip.
Plan Your Trip How to Get to Durango Colorado: Flights, Drives and Tips How to get to Durango Colorado by air or road: airlines and nonstop cities, the airport's 15-mile ride to town, drive times from Denver and Albuquerque. 
Plan Your Trip Durango Colorado Weather by Month: Temperatures and Snow Durango Colorado weather by month from NOAA 1991-2020 normals: average highs, lows, rain and snow, plus what to pack for each season. Things to Do
Attractions, day trips, festivals and the experiences that define a Durango visit.
Things to Do Sky Ute Casino and Ute Mountain Casino Near Durango Durango has no casino. Compare Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio with Ute Mountain near Towaoc: drive times, rooms, games, bingo, hours and ages, as of Oct 2026. 
Things to Do Massage Durango: Best Spas and Studios Compared (2026) Massage Durango from $100 an hour: six day spas and studios ranked with posted prices, couples rooms, soak add-ons and Google ratings. Compare and book. 
Things to Do Horseback Riding in Durango Colorado: Rides and Ranches Horseback riding in Durango Colorado: trail rides, dude ranch weeks and pack trips, with each outfitter's age and weight limits. 
Things to Do Durango Golf Courses: Where to Play and What It Costs Durango golf courses compared: Hillcrest, Dalton Ranch, Glacier Club and Pagosa Springs, with 2026 rates and altitude tips. 
Things to Do Downtown Durango: A Walking Guide to Main Avenue Downtown Durango walking guide: historic Main Avenue block by block, landmark buildings, galleries, where to eat and drink, and parking. 
Things to Do Durango Colorado History: From Animas City to the Railroad Durango Colorado history: Animas City, the 1880 railroad founding, smelters and the silver boom, Fort Lewis, and what you can still see today. 
Things to Do Free Things to Do in Durango, Colorado (Budget Guide) Free things to do in Durango, Colorado: river trail, hatchery, hikes, First Friday art walks and budget tips for lodging, parking and food. 
Things to Do Dog Friendly Durango: Trails, Patios, Hotels and Leash Rules Dog friendly Durango guide: the city leash law, the off-leash area, dog-friendly trails, patios and hotels, from city and local sources. 
Things to Do Four Corners Monument Day Trip from Durango: What to Expect Four Corners Monument from Durango, honestly assessed: current hours and fees, the real drive, what is there and isn't, and pairing it with Mesa Verde. 
Things to Do Opening a Business in Durango: A Seasonal Guide Opening a business in Durango? Licensing steps, free local help and how to plan for a seasonal tourist economy before you sign a lease. 
Things to Do Million Dollar Highway: Durango to Ouray Driving Guide Million Dollar Highway guide: US-550 from Durango to Ouray, the three passes, the drop-offs, when to go, safety tips and where to stop. 
Things to Do Climbing 14ers Near Durango: The Chicago Basin Guide 14ers near Durango: the three Chicago Basin peaks, the narrow gauge train to Needleton, scramble ratings and the July to September window. 
Things to Do Durango Camping: Campgrounds, Reservoirs and RV Parks Durango camping guide: the closest San Juan National Forest campgrounds, Lemon and Vallecito, free dispersed camping, RV parks and bear rules. Things to Do Durango Events: A 2026-27 Festival Calendar by Season Durango events by season with 2026-27 dates: Snowdown, Bluegrass Meltdown, Iron Horse, Fiesta Days, Polar Express and more. 
Things to Do Mesa Verde National Park from Durango: Complete Guide Mesa Verde National Park from Durango: entrance fees, cliff dwelling tour reservations, Chapin vs. Wetherill Mesa, hours by season and how long to plan. Things to Do Moving to Durango Colorado: From Visitor to Local Moving to Durango Colorado after falling for it on vacation? What to know about altitude, healthcare, home prices and paperwork. Things to Do Storage Containers Durango: Gear Storage Guide Storage containers Durango locals use for skis, rafts and bikes: unit or on-site container, what Hercules charges and how to choose. 
Things to Do Things to Do in Silverton, CO: What's Open in 2026/27 Things to do in Silverton, CO: what's open by season in 2026/27, train and drive timings from Durango, ticket prices, the Alpine Loop and winter skiing. 
Things to Do Durango Silverton Train Tickets: 2026/27 Fares and Dates Durango Silverton train tickets: 2026 fares from $118, Cascade Canyon winter fares from $97, Polar Express prices, car classes, parking and booking rules. Things to Do Durango Dispensary Guide: Rules, Shops and Visitor Tips Compare nine Durango dispensaries by address, rating and reviews, plus Colorado's 21+ ID rule, purchase limits and where you can't use cannabis. As of Oct 2026. 
Things to Do Durango Hot Springs: 8 Springs Compared (2026 Prices) Durango Hot Springs Resort costs $49 for 2 hours, 21 minutes from downtown. Compare prices, hours and drive times for 8 springs from Pagosa to Ouray. Outdoors
Rafting, biking, skiing, climbing and trail know-how for the San Juan Mountains.
Outdoors Wolf Creek Ski Area From Durango: Drive, Tickets, Snow Wolf Creek Ski Area is 80 miles and about 2 hours from Durango. See 2026/27 ticket prices, 430 inches of snow, Purgatory compared and pass rules. 
Outdoors Ski Resorts Near Durango, CO: 7 Areas Compared, 2026/27 Ski resorts near Durango, CO, compared: Purgatory, Wolf Creek, Telluride, Silverton Mountain, Chapman Hill, Kendall and closed Hesperus, with 2026/27 prices. 
Outdoors San Juan National Forest Guide: Camping, Trails, Permits San Juan National Forest near Durango: ranger districts, campgrounds with fees and RV limits, dispersed camping rules, permits and winter use, from USFS data. 
Outdoors Silverton Mountain Guide: Prices, Dates and Rules 2026/27 Silverton Mountain guide for 2026/27: guided and unguided dates, posted prices, heli runs, required avalanche gear and the drive from Durango. 
Outdoors Ouray Ice Park Guide: Free Climbing, Guides and Costs Ouray Ice Park guide: free to climb, 2026/27 season and hours, five guide services compared with posted prices, plus the drive from Durango. 
Outdoors Jeep Tours Durango Colorado: Tours & Rentals Compared Compare jeep tours in Durango, Colorado and jeep rental Durango prices: 6 tour companies, 7 rental shops, per-person costs for 2 and 4, rules and season. 
Outdoors Fishing in Durango Colorado: Rivers, Lakes and Licenses Fishing in Durango Colorado: the Animas Gold Medal stretch, Vallecito, Lemon, Electra and Nighthorse lakes, licenses, rules and guides. 
Outdoors Durango Hiking Trails: 12 Best Hikes by Difficulty Durango hiking trails sorted by difficulty, with distance and elevation for each, plus altitude and lightning safety tips for the San Juans. 
Outdoors Paddleboarding in Durango: Lakes, Rivers and Rentals Paddleboarding in Durango and kayaking too: calm lakes, the Animas whitewater park, rentals, life jacket rules and the best season. 
Outdoors Vallecito Lake Colorado: Camping, Boating and Fishing Vallecito Lake Colorado guide: the drive from Durango, camping, boating, fishing, the 2002 Missionary Ridge fire, permits and seasons. 
Outdoors Animas River Trail Durango: Access Points, Distance and Tips The Animas River Trail runs about 7 miles through Durango. Access points, parking, bike and walk tips, and the whitewater park. 
Outdoors Ziplining Near Durango: Which Course to Pick Ziplining near Durango: Soaring Tree Top's train-access canopy tour vs. the closer 12-line course, altitude and safety basics, and who each suits. 
Outdoors Bouldering Near Durango: Turtle Lake and East Animas Bouldering near Durango: the BLM climbing areas at Turtle Lake and East Animas, how to find them, what the rock is like, and where to buy gear. 
Outdoors Injured in Durango Colorado? A Visitor's First Steps Injured in Durango Colorado? Get care, keep records, call your insurer and know when a local attorney can help. General info only. Outdoors Foot Care for Durango Hikers: Boots, Trails and Help Foot care for Durango hikers: where to hike near town, boot and sock basics, and when to ask a podiatrist, with Mayo Clinic and APMA sources. Outdoors Sports Massage Durango: Post-Trail Recovery Guide Sports massage Durango guide: relaxation vs. sports bodywork, what NIH research says, a local practice, and how to plan a session. Outdoors Durango Mountain Biking: Trails, Rentals and Best Rides Durango mountain biking guide: Horse Gulch's 22 trails, Hermosa Creek, the Colorado Trail, Purgatory bike park, rentals and Iron Horse dates. 
Outdoors Purgatory Resort: 2026/27 Opening Day, Terrain, Tickets Purgatory Resort opens Nov 20, 2026. Terrain stats, the new Colorado Couloir lift, $9 to $309 lift tickets with no window rate, and the drive from Durango. 
Outdoors Durango Rafting Companies Compared: 2026 Prices & Trips Compare 7 Durango rafting companies side by side: 2026 trip prices, minimum ages, season, meeting spots and Google ratings, plus a family-of-four cost table. Outdoors Durango Ski Trip Guide: Purgatory's 2026/27 Opening Day Plan a Durango ski trip around Purgatory's Nov 20, 2026 opening day: where to ski and stay, gear, apres-ski and snow-day fun off the mountain. Itineraries
Ready-made plans for a weekend, three days or a family trip.
Itineraries Durango Airport (DRO): Airlines, Parking and Rides to Town Durango airport (DRO) guide: airlines and nonstop routes for winter 2026-27, parking rates, rides to town and Purgatory, and which airport to pick. 
Itineraries Car Rental Durango Airport: Companies, Hours, Fees Car rental Durango airport guide: companies on site, hours as posted, airport fees and winter traction rules. Find out when you can skip the car. 
Itineraries Pagosa Springs Day Trip From Durango: What to Do A Pagosa Springs day trip from Durango: the drive, hot springs, Chimney Rock, Treasure Falls, Wolf Creek Pass and where to eat. 
Itineraries Ouray Day Trip From Durango: Drive, Springs and Falls An Ouray day trip from Durango: the Million Dollar Highway drive, hot springs pool, Box Canon Falls, the Ice Park and winter road caveats. Itineraries Best Things to Do in Durango, CO (By Season and Budget) The best things to do in Durango, CO: the Narrow Gauge train, Animas rafting, Mesa Verde and Purgatory, sorted by season, budget and who's coming. Itineraries The Perfect 3-Day Durango Itinerary Plan the perfect Durango itinerary: three days of downtown, the historic train or river rafting, Mesa Verde, and hot springs in southwest Colorado. 
Itineraries A Weekend in Durango: A 48-Hour Guide Spend a weekend in Durango with this 48-hour guide: where to stay, eat, one great outdoor adventure, and the best breweries and nightlife downtown. Itineraries Durango With Kids: A Family Travel Guide Durango with kids: a family travel guide to the train, gentle river floats, kid-friendly dining, snow play, museums, parks, and family lodging. Itineraries Day Trips from Durango: Silverton, Mesa Verde & More Day trips from Durango: Silverton by rail or road, Mesa Verde, Four Corners Monument, Pagosa Springs hot pools and Ouray, with real drive times. Eat & Drink
Where to eat, drink and grab coffee in Durango and Silverton.
Eat & Drink Durango Nightlife: Bars, Live Music and Late-Night Spots Durango nightlife guide: historic saloons, live music, cocktail bars and breweries downtown, plus hours, safety tips and getting home. Eat & Drink Silverton Colorado Restaurants: Where to Eat in 2026 Silverton Colorado restaurants by season: Coffee Bear, Golden Block, Alpine Tavern, Handlebars and more, with addresses and what is open. Eat & Drink Durango Breweries: A Local's Guide to the Taproom Scene Durango breweries guide: Ska, Steamworks, Carver, Animas, Durango Beer & Ice and Anarchy, where each one shines and how to string a few together. Eat & Drink Durango Coffee Shops: A Local's Guide to Where to Get Coffee Durango coffee shops, from a local: the serious roaster, the reliable hometown regular and the cafes worth lingering in, without the guesswork. Eat & Drink Durango Restaurants: Where to Eat and What to Order Durango restaurants by neighborhood, with what to order at each: green chile hashbrowns, Himalayan momo, wood-fired pizza, brewpubs and tacos. Eat & Drink Durango Pizza: Where Locals Actually Go Where locals actually get Durango pizza: wood-fired, by-the-slice, family pies, and late-night wings, with the trade-offs laid out. Eat & Drink Mexican Food in Durango: A Local's Green Chile Guide The best Mexican food in Durango: green chile, taquerias, family cantinas, and quick burritos, with the standout dish at each spot. Seasonal
What Durango is like in each season, and when to go.
Seasonal Purgatory Lift Tickets 2026/27: Prices and Passes Purgatory lift tickets run $9 to $309 in 2026/27 with no window rate. Compare pass prices, kids-free rules and the cheapest ways to get on the lifts. 
Seasonal Christmas in Durango 2026: Dates, Events and Prices Christmas in Durango 2026: a dated calendar of the Polar Express, Noel Night, Nutcracker and tree permits, plus December weather and a 3-day plan. 
Seasonal Ski Rentals in Durango, CO: 2026-27 Prices Compared Ski rental Durango prices compared: Purgatory, Performance Sports, Cliffside and Ski Barn, with posted 2026-27 rates, kids packages and a family cost. 
Seasonal Snowmobiling in Durango: Winter Tours Compared Snowmobiling Durango guide, plus sleigh rides, dog sledding and snowcat tours: operators compared with 2026-27 prices, minimum ages and drive times. 
Seasonal Durango Winter Activities Beyond Skiing: 9 Ideas Durango winter activities beyond skiing: Nordic trails, tubing, sleigh rides, snowmobiles, ice skating, hot springs and the Polar Express. 
Seasonal Polar Express Durango: 2026 Dates, Cars and Booking Tips Polar Express Durango 2026 runs Nov 20 to Jan 2, 2027 on the D&SNGRR. Car classes, ride length, cancellation rules and what to wear. Seasonal The Best Time to Visit Durango, Colorado (Month by Month) The best time to visit Durango, CO, month by month: weather, crowds, prices and what's open, from summer trains to fall aspens and quiet shoulder seasons. Seasonal Silverton Colorado Winter: Skiing, Ice & the Quiet Season Silverton Colorado winter: Kendall Mountain skiing, Silverton Mountain's expert terrain, Skijoring, ice climbing, and the real state of the highway. Seasonal A Durango Summer: Rafting, Festivals & River Patios Durango in summer is the warm-season peak: rafting, mountain biking, festivals, river patios, and afternoon monsoons. Here's how to plan your trip. 
Seasonal Winter Trip to Durango: Ski Season in the San Juans Plan a winter trip to Durango: Purgatory's verified Nov 20, 2026 opening day, Snowdown 2027 dates, hot springs, and cozy downtown nights. Seasonal Durango Fall Colors: When to Go and Where to Drive Durango fall colors, timed right: when the aspens peak by elevation, the best scenic drives, riding the train in autumn, and where to stay this season. Lodging
Where to stay and how to pick a base.
Lodging Purgatory Lodging: Slopeside vs Durango, Compared Purgatory lodging compared: slopeside condos, Cascade Village, Tamarron and downtown Durango, with distances, kitchens, sleeps and 2026/27 deal dates. 
Lodging Strater Hotel and Durango's Historic Hotels, Compared Compare the Strater Hotel, Rochester and General Palmer plus two historic inns, with walk times to the train depot, pets and parking. Plan your stay. 
Lodging Durango RV Parks: Rates, Winter Options and Which to Pick Durango RV parks compared: 2026 rates, hookups, seasons and distance from downtown, plus which stay open in winter and which suits a train, ski or river trip. 
Lodging Durango Hotels Downtown: 8 Best Hotels, Ranked Compare the best Durango hotels downtown and on North Main by Google rating, with walk times, parking, pet fees and booking dates. Plan your stay. 
Lodging Pet Friendly Hotels Durango: Dog Fees and Rules Compared Compare pet friendly hotels Durango, CO by dog fee, size limit and cat rules, taken from each hotel's own policy, with 3-night costs. Plan your stay. 
Lodging Durango Motels and Cheap Hotels, Compared by Distance Compare Durango motels, a hostel and three B&Bs by distance to the train, Google rating, perks and pet rules. Find a cheap stay near Main Avenue. 
Lodging Durango Cabins and Vacation Rentals: A Booking Guide Durango cabins and vacation rentals compared: cabins, condos and ranches, Vallecito vs Purgatory vs town, booking tips and city rules. Lodging Where to Stay in Silverton: Three Local Motels Compared Where to stay in Silverton, Colorado: Triangle Motel, Prospector Motel and Kendall Mountain Lodge compared by pets, parking and season. Lodging Where to Stay in Durango: Neighborhoods and Hotels Where to stay in Durango, Colorado: downtown vs. the Purgatory corridor vs. the outskirts, plus historic hotels, motels, B&Bs, cabins and seasonal timing. Spotlights
Local businesses and outfitters worth knowing.
Spotlights Mild to Wild Rafting Durango: Rafting and Jeep Tours Mild to Wild Rafting Durango has guided the Animas River and San Juan backcountry since 1994: family floats, expert whitewater and Jeep tours. 
Spotlights Steamworks Brewing Durango: Beer, Food and What to Know Steamworks Brewing Durango has poured house-made beer on East 2nd Avenue since 1996. Here is what to drink, what to eat and when to go. 
Spotlights Colorado Outback Adventures: Durango Jeep Tours & More Durango jeep tours, rafting, UTV rides and ziplines with Colorado Outback Adventures: what each trip covers, where to check in and what to know. 
Spotlights 2nd Ave Sports: Durango Ski Rental Shop and Bike Store 2nd Ave Sports is a Durango ski rental shop and bike store stocking mountain bikes, e-bikes, skis and snowboards, with local trail and snow advice. Ready to start planning?
Browse Durango by what you love — stay, eat & drink, things to do — or search for exactly what you need.