Durango

Understand

Durango is perhaps most famous for the historic narrow gauge railroad that connects Durango with Silverton. It is the largest town in southwest Colorado with a population of about 16,000. The people in Durango are very friendly and down to earth. Durango is a short drive from the Four Corners, where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado meet. The surrounding landscape of Durango is diverse, spanning from red sandstone bluffs of the Animas River Valley to jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains, a few of which rise to elevations over 14,000 feet. Durango is 6,512 feet above sea level.

History Durango has a long, rich history. The city was founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. By July 1882, tracks to Silverton were completed and the train began transporting both freight and passengers. The laborers were paid an average of $2.25/day. The Durango-Silverton Railroad was built to haul silver and gold ore, but passengers soon started to really appreciate the view. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continues to be a favorite attraction on a Colorado sightseeing vacation. Many of the buildings in historic downtown Durango were constructed with stone and brick due to a city ordinance enacted after a fire in 1889, which damaged several blocks along Main Avenue. The Diamond Belle Saloon at the Strater Hotel opened its doors in 1957, and it has a bullet hole in the far east drawer behind the bar. Several well-known movies have been made in Durango, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, City Slickers, Cliffhanger, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Night Passage, Ticket to Tomahawk, Around the World in Eighty Days, How the West Was Won, and Tracker.

Climate

Durango’s climate is fairly moderate in summer, with typical summer daytime highs in the 70s/80s (°F), and nighttime lows in the 50s.

Getting there

By plane 1 Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO IATA) (to the southeast of town on US-160 and SR-172). has commuter air service from Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, and more. (updated Apr 2020)

By car The town is well connected by highways from all major compass points, but some care should be taken if driving here from the east via US Highway 160. This spectacular highway crosses high Wolf Creek Pass (nice ski area nearby) east of Durango, in an area that receives a great deal of snowfall, and is often closed for a time during the winter.

Getting around

Durango has many rental car agencies, a luxury motor-coach company, local taxi service, local buses and a downtown trolley. Durango is a small quaint town easy to get around on foot or bike. Another great way to get around town is on the Durango "T." For the outdoor enthusiast, entrance to Durango's trail network, designed for all abilities and skill levels, is only a short walk or hike away. Driving is also an excellent way to get to enjoy the scenery of the southwest. Durango has more than 1,000 public metered parking spaces for your convenience.

See

1 Vallecito Lake. This lake is one of the biggest and most beautiful bodies of water in all of Colorado. Located in the San Juan National Forest, there is breath taking scenery year-round Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave, ☏ +1 970 259-2606, [email protected]. Exhibits a diversity of media and artists. Live performances, educational programs, and art classes. 2 Fort Lewis College. Take in the “postcard view” of historic Durango and its surrounding valley and mountains by walking the Rim Trail or cruising Rim Drive, the road encircling the campus perimeter. McPherson Chapel, along the rim, is a favorite picnicking spot. Campus visitors also admire the college’s distinctive Mesa Verde-style architecture, numerous public art installations, and the Hesperus Peace Park 3 Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio, ☏ +1 970 259-9234. (updated Feb 2019)

Do

Durango’s setting and rich history make it a great vacation spot with an endless variety of activities and attractions.

1 Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort. If you want a face to face experience with the San Juan Mountains head up 25 miles (40 km) north of town to Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort. A ski area that has the glitzy feel like that of Aspen or Vail yet it still has a hometown local vibe with "The Beach" at the base where there is always music playing and people enjoying a beer while watching people ski and board down the slopes. With trails from beginner to expert this mountain is great for families and people of all ages. There are many shops and restaurants to choose from. You can go up for a day or stay at one of the many charming and classy condominiums. The best part of Durango Mountain Resort is that fun doesn't end when ski season does. There are tons of hiking and biking trails along with the Alpine Slide that entertains tourists and locals all summer long. 2 Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave, toll-free: +1-888-872-4607. This steam-gauge railroad is one of the great scenic railroad lines of the United States. The train runs round trip tours to the mountain town of Silverton, with time for sightseeing at the far end. The route passes through superb scenery along the Animas River and in the appropriately named "Needles" range of the San Juan Mountains, passing close to three of Colorado's "Fourteeners," mountains with summits above 14,000 feet. Intermediate stops close to the Needles are popular with backpackers and climbers heading into the mountains. The train itself is gorgeous to look at, both inside and out; choose between one of the enclosed cars and its fine old woodwork, or an open-air car with extra viewing opportunities (and lots of cinders in the air from the steam engine—not recommended if you wear contacts or are unwilling to get a little grit in your clothes). Reservations are a must. Historic Durango.

Buy

Durango has over 500 retail stores offering everything from outdoor gear for your camping trip, to southwestern art and homespun honey. Main Avenue in downtown Durango is a well-known shopping area.

1 Durango Mall, 800 S Camino Del Rio, ☏ +1 970 259-3603, [email protected]. Standard strip mall tenants, like TJ Maxx, Pier 1 Imports, JC Penney, Kay Jewelers, and Sears. (updated Apr 2021) 2 Durango Silver Company, Hwy 61, ☏ +1 970 375-4100. Hand crafted jewelry since 1976. 3 Gardenswartz, 863 Main Ave, ☏ +1 970 259-6322. Get all your gear for the great outdoor activities Durango has to offer! Includes clothing, gear, shoes, and climbing necessities.

Eat

Durango has many award-winning restaurants. The food is delicious as many of the dishes include some of Durango's locally grown food, like beef, wild game, honey, fish, and cheeses. It has several authentic Mexican restaurants.

Durango Diner, 957 Main Ave, ☏ +1 970 247-9889, [email protected]. East By Southwest, 160 E. College Dr, ☏ +1 970 247-5533. $7-30. 636 Main Ave, 636 Main Ave, ☏ +1 970 385-1810. Tu-Su 4:30PM-8:30PM. Olde Schoolhouse Cafe, 46778 Highway 550, ☏ +1 970 259-2257. Olde Tymer's Cafe,