Each place checked against its official site in November 2026
Trains and scenic drives
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
A National Historic Landmark railroad that says it has run between Durango and Silverton continuously since 1882, behind historic steam and diesel locomotives. Tracks reached Durango on August 5, 1881 and Silverton in July 1882. The depot is on Main Avenue, and there is a free railroad museum in Durango.
- Best for:
- Anyone who wants the town's founding industry on a ride
- When:
- Silverton round trips begin May 2 in the 2026 schedule. The Highline Express ran October 27 to November 1. The Polar Express runs November 20 to January 2.
- Where:
- 479 Main Avenue, Durango
Cascade Canyon Winter Train
A winter excursion on the same railroad to Cascade Canyon, described as 26 miles each way on a 5 hour round trip, with views of the Animas River and snow-covered peaks. Reserve ahead online.
- Best for:
- A winter train ride without the full Silverton trip
- When:
- Runs on weekends in January and February, with midweek dates added in March and April.
- Where:
- 479 Main Avenue, Durango
San Juan Skyway
A 236 mile loop that CDOT puts at about 6 hours of driving, designated an All-American Road in 1996. It links Durango, Telluride, Silverton, Ouray and Mesa Verde National Park, and the stretch from Ouray to Silverton is the Million Dollar Highway.
- Best for:
- A long day of driving or a two day loop
- When:
- Mountain passes can close in winter storms, so check road conditions before you go.
- Where:
- Loop through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Cortez
Parks and monuments
Mesa Verde National Park
A national park known for its cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Spruce Tree House. Entry passes cost $15 to $30 for a standard pass and $55 for an annual pass, and the park does not accept cash.
- Best for:
- A full day of cliff dwellings
- When:
- The park is open daily year-round, but the Mesa Verde Museum is closed for renovation from October 25, 2026 until late spring 2027, and Wetherill Mesa is closed until late spring 2027. Cliff dwelling tours begin in early May. Winter conditions can delay openings or close the park, so check the park's current conditions page.
- Where:
- Mesa Verde National Park, southwest Colorado
Chimney Rock National Monument
An Ancestral Puebloan site in the San Juan National Forest, with guided tours run by the volunteer Chimney Rock Interpretive Association. Visit in 2027 when tours return.
- Best for:
- Visitors who want a guided look at an ancestral site
- When:
- Closed for the 2026 season. Guided tours return May 15, 2027.
- Where:
- Chimney Rock National Monument, San Juan National Forest
Aztec Ruins National Monument
A New Mexico park with a half mile self-guided trail through the Aztec West great house, which once had more than 400 rooms, and through a restored Great Kiva. There is no entrance fee. It sits across the state line from Durango.
- Best for:
- A short, free cultural stop
- When:
- Open 7 AM to 5 PM, with the visitor center open 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
- Where:
- 725 Ruins Road, Aztec, New Mexico
Skiing and hot springs
Purgatory Resort
A family-oriented ski area north of Durango with over 1,600 acres of skiable terrain, 107 trails, 11 lifts and a vertical drop of 2,029 feet. The Village Plaza base area has lodging, shops and restaurants.
- Best for:
- Families and skiers who prefer shorter lift lines
- When:
- The 2026-27 winter season is scheduled to open November 20, a scheduled date and not a confirmed one. The summer bike park is closed for the 2026 season.
- Where:
- 1 Skier Place, Durango
Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa
A hot springs resort and spa in the Animas Valley whose history page traces the springs to Frank Trimble, who built a hotel there in 1882. Posted soaking rates are $49 for a 2 hour adult soak, $59 for 3 hours, and $24 and $29 for children. Massages and spa treatments are also offered.
- Best for:
- An evening soak after a ski or hike
- When:
- Open daily 9 AM to 10 PM with shorter hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The site says reservations are required for soaks, so book ahead. It posted a closure for November 2, 2026 because of county road closures.
- Where:
- County Road 203 near Highway 550 and Trimble Lane, north of Durango
Trails
Animas River Trail
A paved shared-use path of 7.1 miles through Durango, with 8 bridges, 4 underpasses and 1 tunnel and no street crossings. It reaches downtown, parks and the library, and gives river access for fishing and boating.
- Best for:
- An easy walk or bike ride through town
- Where:
- Santa Rita Park to River Road, Durango
Hermosa Creek Trail
A 19.1 mile advanced route with about 2,330 feet of gain, listed for hiking, biking and trail running. The out-and-back to the Dutch Creek junction is 12.7 miles, and the upper trailhead is reached through Purgatory. It is not all downhill from Purgatory.
- Best for:
- Strong riders and hikers who want a full day
- When:
- Durango Trails listed the trail's condition as poor on the date checked, so check its conditions page before you go.
- Where:
- Hermosa Creek, north of Durango
Overend Mountain Park
About 300 acres of in-town trails 2 miles from Durango, including Hogsback, Grabens Loop, Hidden Valley and the Star Wars descent. It is a favorite with local mountain bikers and also open to hikers and runners.
- Best for:
- Mountain bikers who want trails close to town
- When:
- Open in all seasons, with fat biking and snowshoeing in winter.
- Where:
- Ella Vita Court trailhead, Durango
Horse Gulch Road
A non-motorized 4.1 mile trail with 1,100 feet of gain that leads to the Horse Gulch trail system, 1.2 miles from Durango. It reaches the Meadow trail loop and the Sugar Trail, Skyline and Raider Ridge areas, with wide views at the main intersection.
- Best for:
- Hikers and riders of mixed levels
- When:
- Open year-round, including winter recreation. It gets hot in summer, so carry water, and plan to finish before dark.
- Where:
- Horse Gulch trails, Durango
Colorado Trail, Junction Creek Trailhead
The southern end of the Colorado Trail, about 4.5 miles from downtown Durango at the start of Segment 28. The trailhead has a 19-car Forest Service lot and a toilet, and the parking is not meant for long-term vehicle storage.
- Best for:
- Day hikers who want to start a famous long trail
- When:
- Snow persists on high ridges through June, and winter returns to the high country in October.
- Where:
- Junction Creek Road (County Road 204), Durango
Museums, arts and towns
Silverton
A National Historic Landmark mining town on the San Juan Skyway, with 13,000 foot peaks around it, the ghost town of Animas Forks nearby and the Million Dollar Highway running to Ouray.
- Best for:
- A day trip by train or road
- When:
- The town receives a mean annual snowfall of about 175 inches, and winter activities include snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
- Where:
- Silverton, Colorado
Durango Arts Center
A visual and performing arts center with about 25 exhibits a year in the Barbara Conrad, Art Library and Entrada/Arriba galleries, plus a repertory theater and events such as the Autumn Arts Festival and Snowdown Follies.
- Best for:
- A gallery visit or a night of local theater
- When:
- Gallery open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 6 PM.
- Where:
- 802 East 2nd Avenue, Durango
Animas Museum
A local history museum run by the La Plata County Historical Society in the 1904 Animas City School building.
- Best for:
- A quiet hour of La Plata County history
- When:
- Hours listed on the museum's site are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, and Wednesday and Friday 1 PM to 4 PM. Call (970) 259-2402 to confirm.
- Where:
- 3065 West 2nd Avenue, Durango
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