Durango jeep tours, rafting trips, zip lines and UTV rides all run through one company: Colorado Outback Adventures. It checks in at 1212 CO-3, a few minutes from downtown, and Google rates it 5.0 across 2,199 reviews as of October 2026. This spotlight sticks to what the operator's own website says, so you can see what each trip involves before you book. Prices change, so check them there.
What do the Durango jeep tours cover?
Pick a canyon or a pass. The La Plata Canyon tour heads west toward Kennebec Pass and passes waterfalls, wildflowers and old mine sites. It starts at 1212 CO-3 and comes as a quarter-day or half-day outing. The Bolam Pass tour is the high one. It runs about four hours behind Purgatory Resort, climbs above 11,000 feet and looks across at 13,000-foot peaks. Guests meet at #1 Skier Place, 27 miles north of downtown. The company calls itself the only authorized provider of Purgatory jeep tours.
The operator lists the season as mid-May through early October, depending on snowpack. Bring layers and a rain jacket. You ride with a guide, and the site says passengers of all ages are welcome. For other options, see our Durango jeep tours guide.
What are the rafting trips like?
Trips run on the Lower Animas through town and cover Class II and III water. The site names Smelter, Sawmill, Santa Rita and Ponderosa among the rapids. Choose a quarter-day trip with about 1.5 hours on the water, or a half-day with about 3.5 hours. A three-quarter-day option includes lunch. Youth rates cover ages 3 to 11, adults are 12 and up, and the company says it takes rafters up to 75 and older. Everyone checks in at 1212 CO-3 thirty minutes before departure, and wetsuits and booties can be rented. Our rafting guide explains how to pick a trip by season.
Can you drive a UTV or ride a zip line?
Yes to both.
- UTV and ATV tours. The guided "you-drive" tour lasts three hours and heads toward Scotch Creek and Bolam Pass from Purgatory. Drivers must be 18 with a valid license, and riders must be at least 5.
- Zip line. The Durango Zip Line sits about a mile from downtown. Choose six lines in 1.5 to 2 hours, or twelve lines in 2.5 to 3 hours. The twelve-line trip offers a 40-foot free fall.
- Other activities. The company also lists jeep and UTV rentals, off-road go-karts at Purgatory and boat charters on Lake Nighthorse. Our Purgatory guide covers the resort.
How do you choose between the trips?
Start with who is coming.
- Kids under 12: rafting takes riders from age 3, and the jeep tours take all ages. Both work for families.
- One free morning: a quarter-day raft trip is about 1.5 hours on the water. The six-line zip tour runs 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Someone who wants the wheel: only the UTV tour lets you steer.
- A gray, cold day: take the jeep. The guide drives, and you can bundle up.
Who runs it?
Per the About page, Casey Harper and Bob Williamson launched Colorado Outback Adventures in 2016, starting with UTV rentals at Purgatory. Rafting, jeep tours and go-karts came in 2018, and Lake Nighthorse boat rentals in 2019. The company operates under a Forest Service special use permit for San Juan National Forest.
What should you know before booking?
Book early in summer. The site recommends planning as far ahead as possible, and walk-ins aren't guaranteed. It also has a 48-hour cancellation policy: cancel inside 48 hours and you're charged in full. Browse all of Durango's tours and outfitters and compare local tour operators before you decide.
