DURANGO COLORADO
Nestled at the warm southern foot of the Rocky Mountains in Southwest
Colorado, Durango has become one of the most popular tourist towns
in the United States. This western town has a wide selection of fun
activities for the entire family to enjoy during all four seasons. During
the summer, go for a ride down the river on a raft, soar above the area
in a glider, take the steam train, go mountain biking, rock climbing,
golfing, fishing, or view all of the beautiful scenery. In the winter there is
skiing at Purgatory, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, snowshoe treks and
plenty of indoor activities such as melodramas, western stage shows,
galleries, shopping and dining.
Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad - Experience the adventure of
traveling on a coal-fired, steam powered locomotive through the
breathtakingly scenic San Juan National Forest. This historic train has
been in continuous operation for over 123 years - Breathtaking
mountain, canyon and river scenery. Step back in time as you ride over
the same tracks that the settlers, miners and cowboys rode 100 years
ago. You’ll end up in the old mining town of Silverton, nestled high in
the San Juan National Forest at 10,000 feet. Purchase your tickets by
calling 1-800-TRAIN-07.
Mesa Verde - A very popular tourist spot with hundreds of thousands of
tourists yearly. These archeological sites are some of the most notable
and best preserved in the United States. Mesa Verde offers visitors a
spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived
in Mesa Verde from 600AD until 1300AD and for some unknown
reason, they left. Today most people call these villages "cliff
dwellings". The cliff dwellings represent the last 75 to 100 years of
occupation at Mesa Verde. The entrance to the park is 9 miles east of
Cortez and 35 miles west of Durango in Southwestern Colorado.
Hot Springs - The San Juan Mountains are host to a high concentration
of hot springs due to ancient volcanic activity in the area. Some springs
are commercially developed, while others are way off the beaten path,
requiring a difficult hike to reach them. Many of the springs were
previously used by the Ute people and are reported to have healing
qualities. Be sure to check out Trimble Hot Springs just 6 miles north of
Durango where there is an 83 degree Olympic pool, 100 to 110 degree
therapy pools plus massage therapy.
Rafting - Rafting or kayaking down the river in Durango is one of the
most popular summer activities. There are several rafting companies
to choose from, all certified and safe. Most of the rafting companies
offer two-hour, half day or full day rafting tours. If you feel daring, you
may consider rafting down the Upper Animas, which is full of class IV
and V rapids!
Chuckwagon Suppers - Enjoy good old chuckwagon cooking and live
country music in a country setting. You will love the lively songs, stories
and comedy of the Bar D Wranglers as they present their famous stage
show on the Old West.
Helicopter Tours - New Air Helicopters has two tours available
departing from the Animas Airpark. This is a good way to view all of the
beautiful scenery and get some excellent photographs.
Scenic Glider Rides - "Soar like and Eagle!" You will love looking at the
area around Durango from 9,000 feet in a glider. Be sure to bring your
camera.
Durango Park - Fun for the whole family - Mini Golf, Go-Karts, Arcade.
Art Galleries and Museums - The Durango and Four Corners area is a
great destination for art lovers. You will find recognized contemporary,
Native American, and Southwest art collections. The gallery walks are a
relaxing way to enjoy these incredible art works and the Center for
Southwest Studies offer a unique experience to learn the history of the
southwest.
Grand Motorcar and Piano Collection - This museum and auto
showroom houses about 30 fine classic cars, including exotic luxury
models and independents such as Hudson, Packard, and Nash. Most
cars here are from the 1930s to the 1950s, although there are also
some more recent classics. Many are available for purchase. The
museum also has two handsome grand pianos on display and a shop
that sells rare old automobile magazines and other literature.
Southfork Riding Stables and Outfitters - Experience Durango's
western flavor up close, on horseback! Guided tours into the canyons
south of Durango depart all day - everyday during the summer. For an
added treat, include a hearty cowboy style breakfast or a "man sized"
rib-eye dinner. A wide range of activities for every age and ability are
offered from one-hour trail rides to five-night cattle drives.
Ute Mountain Tribal Park - Located south of Cortez, Ute Mountain Tribal
Park is part of the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation. Remote and
rugged, it contains Ancestral Puebloan ruins comparable to those in
nearby Mesa Verde. The Park encompasses approximately 125,000
acres around a 25-mile stretch of the Mancos River. Within the park are
hundreds of surface sites and cliff dwellings, ancestral Puebloan
petroglyphs and historic Ute wall paintings.
Vallecito Lake - Take a scenic 23-mile drive out to Vallecito Lake and
enjoy lunch overlooking the water and boats. The lake is one of the
largest lakes in Colorado and is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Boating, fishing, dining, horseback riding, hiking and jeeping are
available at the lake in the summer. Fall and winter offer snowmobiling,
skiing, hunting and more. The full service marinas offer boat rentals,
boat ramp, fishing guide service, rental of fishing equipment, bait and
tackle sales, buoy service and dock facilities.
Lodging - Durango offers a wide variety of accommodations including
historic downtown resorts, cabins, bed & breakfasts and great
campsites.
San Juan Skyway – This drive has been called “The Most Beautiful
Drive in America”! The San Juan Skyway is a spectacular drive through
the San Juan, Uncompahgre, Wilson and Sneffels Ranges. The byway
loops through the San Juan Mountains for 236 miles following state-
maintained highways on a journey through the towering mountains and
mining towns, rolling vistas and ancient archaeological sites of Indian
Country. You will pass through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway,
Telluride, Rico, Dolores, Cortez and Mancos. Enjoy hiking,
backpacking, bicycling, hunting, photography, fishing, kayaking, and
rafting or browse town shops, soak in historic hot springs, stay in a
Victorian lodge, or sleep under the stars in one of the many
campgrounds.
Nestled at the warm southern foot of the Rocky Mountains in Southwest
Colorado, Durango has become one of the most popular tourist towns
in the United States. This western town has a wide selection of fun
activities for the entire family to enjoy during all four seasons. During
the summer, go for a ride down the river on a raft, soar above the area
in a glider, take the steam train, go mountain biking, rock climbing,
golfing, fishing, or view all of the beautiful scenery. In the winter there is
skiing at Purgatory, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, snowshoe treks and
plenty of indoor activities such as melodramas, western stage shows,
galleries, shopping and dining.
Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad - Experience the adventure of
traveling on a coal-fired, steam powered locomotive through the
breathtakingly scenic San Juan National Forest. This historic train has
been in continuous operation for over 123 years - Breathtaking
mountain, canyon and river scenery. Step back in time as you ride over
the same tracks that the settlers, miners and cowboys rode 100 years
ago. You’ll end up in the old mining town of Silverton, nestled high in
the San Juan National Forest at 10,000 feet. Purchase your tickets by
calling 1-800-TRAIN-07.
Mesa Verde - A very popular tourist spot with hundreds of thousands of
tourists yearly. These archeological sites are some of the most notable
and best preserved in the United States. Mesa Verde offers visitors a
spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived
in Mesa Verde from 600AD until 1300AD and for some unknown
reason, they left. Today most people call these villages "cliff
dwellings". The cliff dwellings represent the last 75 to 100 years of
occupation at Mesa Verde. The entrance to the park is 9 miles east of
Cortez and 35 miles west of Durango in Southwestern Colorado.
Hot Springs - The San Juan Mountains are host to a high concentration
of hot springs due to ancient volcanic activity in the area. Some springs
are commercially developed, while others are way off the beaten path,
requiring a difficult hike to reach them. Many of the springs were
previously used by the Ute people and are reported to have healing
qualities. Be sure to check out Trimble Hot Springs just 6 miles north of
Durango where there is an 83 degree Olympic pool, 100 to 110 degree
therapy pools plus massage therapy.
Rafting - Rafting or kayaking down the river in Durango is one of the
most popular summer activities. There are several rafting companies
to choose from, all certified and safe. Most of the rafting companies
offer two-hour, half day or full day rafting tours. If you feel daring, you
may consider rafting down the Upper Animas, which is full of class IV
and V rapids!
Chuckwagon Suppers - Enjoy good old chuckwagon cooking and live
country music in a country setting. You will love the lively songs, stories
and comedy of the Bar D Wranglers as they present their famous stage
show on the Old West.
Helicopter Tours - New Air Helicopters has two tours available
departing from the Animas Airpark. This is a good way to view all of the
beautiful scenery and get some excellent photographs.
Scenic Glider Rides - "Soar like and Eagle!" You will love looking at the
area around Durango from 9,000 feet in a glider. Be sure to bring your
camera.
Durango Park - Fun for the whole family - Mini Golf, Go-Karts, Arcade.
Art Galleries and Museums - The Durango and Four Corners area is a
great destination for art lovers. You will find recognized contemporary,
Native American, and Southwest art collections. The gallery walks are a
relaxing way to enjoy these incredible art works and the Center for
Southwest Studies offer a unique experience to learn the history of the
southwest.
Grand Motorcar and Piano Collection - This museum and auto
showroom houses about 30 fine classic cars, including exotic luxury
models and independents such as Hudson, Packard, and Nash. Most
cars here are from the 1930s to the 1950s, although there are also
some more recent classics. Many are available for purchase. The
museum also has two handsome grand pianos on display and a shop
that sells rare old automobile magazines and other literature.
Southfork Riding Stables and Outfitters - Experience Durango's
western flavor up close, on horseback! Guided tours into the canyons
south of Durango depart all day - everyday during the summer. For an
added treat, include a hearty cowboy style breakfast or a "man sized"
rib-eye dinner. A wide range of activities for every age and ability are
offered from one-hour trail rides to five-night cattle drives.
Ute Mountain Tribal Park - Located south of Cortez, Ute Mountain Tribal
Park is part of the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation. Remote and
rugged, it contains Ancestral Puebloan ruins comparable to those in
nearby Mesa Verde. The Park encompasses approximately 125,000
acres around a 25-mile stretch of the Mancos River. Within the park are
hundreds of surface sites and cliff dwellings, ancestral Puebloan
petroglyphs and historic Ute wall paintings.
Vallecito Lake - Take a scenic 23-mile drive out to Vallecito Lake and
enjoy lunch overlooking the water and boats. The lake is one of the
largest lakes in Colorado and is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Boating, fishing, dining, horseback riding, hiking and jeeping are
available at the lake in the summer. Fall and winter offer snowmobiling,
skiing, hunting and more. The full service marinas offer boat rentals,
boat ramp, fishing guide service, rental of fishing equipment, bait and
tackle sales, buoy service and dock facilities.
Lodging - Durango offers a wide variety of accommodations including
historic downtown resorts, cabins, bed & breakfasts and great
campsites.
San Juan Skyway – This drive has been called “The Most Beautiful
Drive in America”! The San Juan Skyway is a spectacular drive through
the San Juan, Uncompahgre, Wilson and Sneffels Ranges. The byway
loops through the San Juan Mountains for 236 miles following state-
maintained highways on a journey through the towering mountains and
mining towns, rolling vistas and ancient archaeological sites of Indian
Country. You will pass through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway,
Telluride, Rico, Dolores, Cortez and Mancos. Enjoy hiking,
backpacking, bicycling, hunting, photography, fishing, kayaking, and
rafting or browse town shops, soak in historic hot springs, stay in a
Victorian lodge, or sleep under the stars in one of the many
campgrounds.
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