Known as the gateway to the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, Durango offers easy access to national forests, the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park, and the Animas River.
In This Article
From its Ute Indian roots to its Wild West past, Durango embraces its rugged history while thriving as a progressive artistic community and college town. Quaint cafes and eclectic galleries line Main Avenue, while ancient cliff dwellings and soaring peaks wait just beyond city limits.
TL;DR
- Durango is a scenic mountain town surrounded by national forests, rivers, historic sites, and ski resorts.
- This city in Southwest Colorado offers a blend of Native American, Old West, and contemporary mountain culture through events, cuisine, and attractions.
- Natural highlights include the Animas River, San Juan National Forest, and nearby Mesa Verde National Park.
Local Experiences and Culture
Immersing yourself in the local culture is a highlight for many Durango visitors. The city hosts cultural events that honor its Ute Indian heritage, frontier past, and artistic spirit.
The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering in early October gathers Western musicians and poets to celebrate the cowboy lifestyle with music, stories, and gear. The Durango Blues Train, a rolling blues concert aboard vintage railcars, encapsulates the region’s musical soul.
From the Ute Indian Museum to festivals like the Durango Independent Film Festival, the city embraces history and contemporary art. Visitors can browse downtown’s galleries and eclectic shops, or they can interact with local artists at one of Durango’s weekly art walks.
Key Attractions
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been in continuous operation for over 130 years, transporting passengers in vintage coal-fired steam trains through breathtaking mountain scenery in the San Juan National Forest.
Equally impressive is Mesa Verde National Park, home to over 600 cliff dwellings and archaeological sites left by the ancestral Puebloan people. Visitors can tour the dwellings, hike amongst petroglyphs and pueblo ruins, and gaze at views the ancient people once admired.
Durango Mountain Resort, also known as Purgatory Resort, offers over 2,000 skiable acres in winter and miles of singletrack in summer. The resort has terrain for all abilities along with kids camps, demo centers, and stunning San Juan Mountain vistas.
Cultural Highlights
A unique fusion of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo heritage shapes Durango’s local traditions. Ute dancers perform at cultural events like the Durango Independent Film Festival, while contemporary Ute artists sell their work at downtown galleries.
Hispanic culture also runs deep, from the town’s Spanish architecture to its many Mexican restaurants. Each August, Durango celebrates its agricultural roots with the La Plata County Fair. Visitors enjoy a parade, rodeos, concerts, carnival rides, and local food specialties like roasted corn, green chile, and Navajo tacos.
Natural Wonders
The Animas River is Durango’s lifeblood, offering gold-medal fly fishing, Class IV rapids for rafting, calm water for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and riverside trails perfect for running, walking, or biking. Outfitters lead rafting trips ranging from mild floats to adrenaline-pumping rides through Smelter Rapid right in town.
Beyond the town lies the vast San Juan National Forest, with over 1.8 million acres of wilderness. A labyrinth of trails leads visitors to alpine lakes, 13,000-foot peaks, wildflower meadows, abandoned mines, and relics of Durango’s early mining days. The expert singletrack also makes the area a mountain biking mecca.
Local Cuisine
Durango’s culinary scene celebrates regional flavors through its many breweries, distilleries, food festivals, and farm-to-table restaurants. Popular local dishes like tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and green chile reflect the area’s Mexican and Southwestern roots. Main Avenue offers chef-driven restaurants alongside old-fashioned saloons and steakhouses serving Rocky Mountain cuisine.
Beer lovers can sample craft brews at more than one dozen breweries in and around Durango. Local distilleries like Durango Spirits and Guido’s Favorite Foods craft small-batch liquors using local ingredients.
Cultural Events
As an artistic mountain community and college town, Durango supports a thriving cultural scene. Each January, it hosts Snowdown-a Mardi Gras-style festival with parades, costumes, and events like outhouse races and shovel races down Main Avenue.
The Durango Independent Film Festival every March shows over 100 films while celebrating the town’s cinematic legacy. Established in 2006, it’s a favorite among indie filmmakers and fans. Other popular events nearby include the Four Corners Folk Festival in Pagosa Springs and the San Juan Brewfest.
Community Interactions
Volunteering is a wonderful way for visitors to engage with locals while giving back to the community. Durango Nature Studies offers volunteer days removing invasive species and maintaining trails. Volunteers get to explore beautiful places like Hermosa Creek, Carbon Junction, Dalla Mountain Park, and more.
The Durango Farmers Market runs from mid-May through mid-October, showcasing meats, produce, baked goods, and arts and crafts by regional vendors. It’s a lively social event with food trucks, live music, and a chance to meet local farmers and artisans.
FAQ
What is the best time of year to visit Durango?
Late spring through early fall offers the warmest weather for enjoying Durango’s wealth of outdoor activities. Winter is also popular for skiing at Purgatory Resort or Silverton Mountain.
What is there to do in Durango with kids?
Families enjoy riding the historic steam train, white water rafting, hiking to waterfalls or Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, mountain biking at Purgatory, ziplining, and exploring downtown’s kid-friendly museums.
What is Durango best known for?
It’s best known for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park, the Animas River, San Juan National Forest, and Purgatory Resort. Its artistic community, college-town vibe, eclectic dining, nightlife, and cultural events also make it unique.
How many days do you need in Durango?
Most visitors spend 2-4 days, enjoying highlights like the train, hiking, rafting the Animas, and exploring Mesa Verde. A week allows time for more in-depth adventures into the San Juans along with cultural events and festivals.
