landmark
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Steam train running 45 miles to Silverton. The 3.5-hour one-way ride costs over $100 and eats a full day.
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Durango
High-altitude rail town backed by the San Juan peaks.
introduction
Overview
Durango sits at 6,512 feet in southwestern Colorado, where the desert meets the San Juan Mountains. You move through the grid on foot downtown, but you need a car for alpine trails and Mesa Verde. Summer brings high heat and rail tourists, while winter belongs to powder skiers at Purgatory. Expect high elevation, dry air, and steep prices during peak mountain seasons.
La Plata Airport transfer
Durango-La Plata Airport sits 15 miles southeast of downtown. Car rentals sell out quickly in summer, so reserve months in advance.
National Historic Landmark
The Durango Historic District holds federal historic status. Victorian architecture defines the six blocks around Main Avenue.
Train ticket seating
Book open-air gondola seats on the Silverton train for views. Open cars catch smoke, so wear dark layers you can stain.
Durango
Rationalobserver · CC BY-SA 4.0
Historic Downtown — 19th-century storefronts, breweries, and heavy pedestrian foot traffic.
Frans-Banja Mulder · CC BY 3.0
Animas River Corridor — Riverside parks, kayak put-ins, and paved trail access.
Clyde frogg · CC BY-SA 3.0
Green chile sauces and Southwestern breakfast dishes anchor Durango menus.
FiveRings (talk) · CC BY 3.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Historic Main Avenue
Six blocks of 1880s brick saloons and craft shops. Parking meters run until 6 PM on weekdays.
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landmark
Purgatory Resort
Ski area 26 miles north with 105 trails. Winter day passes top $100 unless bought weeks prior.
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landmark
Mesa Verde National Park
Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings 35 miles west. Ranger tours require advance booking online.
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landmark
Fort Lewis College Rim Trail
A 3-mile loop above campus offering views of the valley. Trailhead parking fills up by mid-morning.
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On the map
areas
Where life happens
Historic Downtown
19th-century storefronts, breweries, and heavy pedestrian foot traffic.
Saloon barsWalkabilityDining
KompromissHotel rates are the highest in town and parking is strictly metered.
In der NäheSilverton train depot and Animas River access.
Parley fragenAnimas River Corridor
Riverside parks, kayak put-ins, and paved trail access.
PaddlingRunning trailPark views
KompromissSpring runoff makes the river dangerously swift and cold.
In der NäheSmelter Rapid and Santa Rita Park.
Parley fragenNorth Main District
Commercial strip with retro motels, local diners, and trolley stops.
Budget lodgingLocal dinersTrolley line
KompromissLacks character; requires a ride or trolley to reach historic downtown.
In der NäheAnimas City Theatre and North Main trolley route.
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Quiet campus heights with mountain vistas and trailheads.
Trail accessSunset viewsQuiet nights
KompromissSteep climb to reach; no nightlife or shopping within walking distance.
In der NäheFort Lewis College and Nature Trail.
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Green chile and high-altitude brewing
Green chile sauces and Southwestern breakfast dishes anchor Durango menus.
FiveRings (talk) · CC BY 3.0- Smother your breakfast
Order your morning burrito 'smothered' at Oscar's Cafe to get it coated in hot green chile and melted cheese.
- Settle into Ska Brewing
Head to Bodo Park south of downtown for Ska Brewing. The taproom serves local IPA pints alongside brick-oven pizza.
history
A short history
The Denver & Rio Grande Railway founded Durango in 1880 to serve San Juan mining camps. Silver and gold extraction drove rapid wealth into the valley, funding brick hotels and saloons along Main Avenue. When mining collapsed in the 20th century, outdoor recreation and tourism replaced ore extraction.
- 1880
Railroad settlement
The Denver & Rio Grande Railway surveys Durango to create a hub for San Juan mining operations.
- 1882
Silverton line completed
Tracks reach Silverton, allowing steam trains to haul silver ore out of high mountain gulches.
- 1887
Strater Hotel opens
The landmark hotel opens on Main Avenue, establishing Durango as a regional luxury stop.
- 1965
Purgatory Resort opens
Ski resort operations begin north of town, converting Durango into a year-round mountain destination.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose by your transport plan. If you want to walk to dinner and the train, stay downtown. If you hold a tight budget or have a car, select North Main.
- Rail enthusiastsHistoric Downtown — Step directly onto the Silverton train platform from your hotel lobby.
- Active paddlersAnimas River Corridor — Immediate access to Santa Rita Park and the paved river trail.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
General Palmer Hotel
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DoubleTree by Hilton Durango
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Leland House Suites of Durango
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The Rochester Hotel
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Club Wyndham Durango
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Getting around
Downtown Durango is walkable, spanning eight compact grid blocks. The Durango Transit trolley runs up and down Main Avenue for cheap local trips. You need a car or shuttle to visit Mesa Verde or trailheads outside town.
Ab Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO)
- Rideshare20 min$35–50
Uber and Lyft operate, but driver availability drops significantly late at night.
- Airport shuttle25 min$30–40
Shared vans run directly to downtown hotels; book 24 hours prior.
- Taxi20 min$40–55
Local cab companies require phone booking ahead of landing.
Downtown meters take credit cards or the ParkDurango mobile app Monday through Friday.
Airport car rental lots run out of inventory during peak summer and ski seasons.
Coal Bank and Molas Passes on Highway 550 close during severe winter snowstorms.
cost
What things cost
Durango carries resort-town pricing. Lodging and dining peak from June through August and during ski holidays. Spring and late autumn offer lower hotel rates.
- Silverton train ticket: $105–200
Standard adult round-trip tickets vary by car class, with open-air gondolas priced lower than luxury parlor cars.
- Green chile breakfast: $12–18
A smothered burrito with coffee at a local diner fills you for the morning.
- Purgatory day lift ticket: $89–149
Dynamic winter ticket pricing means window rates cost far more than advance online purchases.
- Craft beer pint: $7–9
Local microbreweries charge standard mountain prices across downtown taprooms.
seasonality
When to go
DEC – FEB
Powder snow at Purgatory Resort. High room rates near ski hills and cold valley nights.
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MAR – MAY
Spring runoff swells the Animas River. Off-peak accommodation discounts before summer crowds.
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JUN – AUG
Peak tourist season. Daily Silverton train departures, warm hiking weather, and crowded restaurants.
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SEP – NOV
Golden aspen foliage along mountain passes. Cool crisp days and lighter downtown traffic.
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practicalities
Good to know
- Hydrate for elevation
Durango sits above 6,500 feet. Drink twice your normal water intake to prevent altitude headaches.
- Pack sun protection
Thin mountain air intensifies UV rays. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses even during winter trips.
- Store food from bears
Black bears enter town in summer. Lock vehicle doors and keep food out of sight.
- Credit cards accepted everywhere
Card payments work across shops and restaurants, but keep small cash for driver tips.
- Layer clothes year-round
Temperatures swing up to 40 degrees between daytime sun and high-country nightfall.