Located in southwest Colorado, this mountain town sits at 6,512 feet elevation with the Animas River running through its restored 1880s downtown and historic narrow-gauge railroad.
Durango, a mountain town in southwestern Colorado, sits at 6,512 feet in the Animas River Valley. Walk down Main Avenue to grab breakfast at Jean Pierre Bakery, then board a vintage 1920s steam locomotive for a journey through the San Juan Mountains. Cycle part of the 500-mile Colorado Trail, carve through powder at Purgatory's Double Diamond runs, or drive 35 miles to climb through the ancient Cliff Palace dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park.
Main Avenue
Victorian-era buildings from the 1880s line Main Avenue's eight blocks, now home to more than 30 art galleries and local restaurants. You'll walk past the red sandstone Durango & Silverton Railroad depot, the limestone Bank of Colorado building, and the brick Strater Hotel - all preserved from the town's mining era. Every first Friday of the month from 5-9 PM, galleries extend their hours and local artists demonstrate their techniques on the sidewalks.
Durango & Silverton Railroad
Since 1882, coal-fired locomotives have carried passengers along the Animas River gorge. The 45-mile journey winds through the San Juan Mountains on tracks carved into cliff faces 400 feet above the river. The train departs daily at 8:45 AM, climbing 3,000 feet to reach Silverton. You'll have two hours to explore this former mining town before the return trip. In winter, the train runs a shorter route to Cascade Canyon.
Mountain Activities
Purgatory Resort's 88 trails spread across 1,525 acres, with runs for every skill level - from the gentle Mercy run to the steep Tree Chutes. In summer, you can bike the Colorado Trail's 75-mile Durango section, which climbs through aspen groves and alpine meadows. The Telegraph Trail system, just minutes from downtown, has 20 miles of paths ranging from smooth dirt roads to rocky single tracks. Each May, 2,500 cyclists race the train to Silverton in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.
Local Events
During the five-day Snowdown festival in January, Main Avenue transforms with themed parades and competitions. Past themes have included "Safari So Good" and "Once Upon a Time," with locals creating elaborate costumes and participating in events like the golf cart obstacle course and beard-growing contest. February brings the Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival to the Strater Hotel, where musicians perform in period costume among the hotel's original Victorian furnishings.
Transportation
Durango-La Plata County Airport has daily flights to Denver and Phoenix on United Express and American Eagle. The town sits at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and U.S. Highway 550 (the Million Dollar Highway). The Durango Transit operates seven routes through town from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays. During ski season, shuttles run every 45 minutes between downtown and Purgatory Resort.
