Durango Area

Filled with endless recreation opportunities and a rich history, you’ll never have a shortage of unique and fun things to do in summertime in the Durango Area.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railrod

Take a ride into the past on the same track miners and cowboys used over a century ago. Winter trains depart from the Main Depot on Main Avenue in Durango or from the convenient Rockwood Station located just 10 miles south of Purgatory Village. Explore the untouched wilderness with a ride to Cascade Canyon through narrow passages, along cliff edges and past pristine waterfalls on the Animas River. Special event trains are also available, including a New Years Eve ride. At either end are museums dedicated to the area’s railroad history. The larger of the two is located in the Durango D&SNGR Roundhouse, with more than 12,000 square feet of mint-condition trains, historic exhibits, collectables and memorabilia. Visit www.durangotrain.com for more information.

White Water Rafting

Durango Rafting Company - Raft through Durango with the entire family on the Animas River. Hear tales of the history of Durango and surrounding areas on 2 and 4 hour professionally guided trips. Kids 8 years of age and younger are FREE! call toll free 877-257-2252 or local 970-259-2252 or visit us on the web at durangoraft.com.

Southwest Whitewater - Navigate the Animas River with Southwest Whitewater's professionally trained guides. Trips on the Animas are perfect for the whole family, featuring Class III rapids, waves and beautiful scenery. 2 hour, 1/2 hour and Brunch trips are available. Come explore the region by raft. For more information and reservations please call 800-989-9792 or visit www.swwhitewater.com for more information

Mesa Verde National Park

One of the Four Corner’s most treasured attractions, Mesa Verde was established in 1906 as one of the first National Parks of its kind. The Park is home to ancient dwellings built by Ancestral Puebloan Indians around 600 A.D. The people who called this area home mysteriously disappeared in 1300 AD. Today, the site has been designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by the United Nations and the #1 Monument in the World by Conde Naste Traveler. It is well preserved so that guests from around the world can tour the ancient dwellings comfortably.

Other Unique Archeological Sites

Within about an hour’s drive are the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park and the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. A little bit further allows you to visit Crow Canyon Archeological Center, the Anasazi Heritage Museum, and Chimney Rock.

Fly Fishing

Animas Valley Anglers provides guided fly fishing excursions in the winter time to some of the best fishing holes in the state. AVA’s professional guides take trips down the Animas River, San Juan River and the Rio Grande River- all world renowned rivers with Gold Medal stretches. Fly fishing lessons, apparel and gear are also available. Visit www.gottrout.com for more information and reservations.

Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs

Two mineral-rich therapeutic hot pools for relaxation and rejuvenation, and a heated 50-meter Olympic swimming pool for family fun and lap swimming. Our spacious lawn is perfect for picnics and tanning on sunny mountain days. The Trimble Spa’s 15 therapists offer more than 20 massage and body treatments. The Health and Wellness Program focuses on relaxation and rehabilitation in a friendly atmosphere. We offer a customized  program of neuro-muscular rehabilitation consultation and training for injuries, chronic pain and other ailments, combined with a selection of therapeutic massage techniques, tai chi, yoga, and several body treatments that heal, tone, and pamper. Trimble's hot springs are open to the public 8am-10pm weekdays, 9am-11pm weekends during summer, 10am-9pm winters. Spa: 9am-9pm year-round. For more information please call 970-247-0111 or visit trimblehotsprings.com

Durango Children's Museum & Durango Discovery Museum

The Durango Children's Museum features a wide range of hands-on, fun activities for children and their families. Located at the Durango Arts Center. Call 970-259-9234 or visit www.childsmuseum.org for more information.

At the Durango Discovery Museum, explore a frontier of new ideas in energy and sustainability to honor the region's rich history of human innovation from prehistory to the present. The Durango History Museum inspires inventiveness, creativity, social responsibility, and scientific understanding of energy—past, present, and future.

• Interactive science + energy center for all ages
• Sudden Science: education outreach and summer camps
• Riverfront town square and events pavilion
• Restaurant and museum shop
• Sound garden and science park
• Sustainability demo labs
• TotSpot: a world built just for 0-5 year olds
  

Located at 14th Street and Camino del Rio by the Animas River. Visit http://www.durangodiscovery.org/ for more information.

The Durango Community Tennis Association is a non-profit organization for local tennis players whose mission is, To promote tennis as a lifetime sport by providing affordable recreational, educational and social programs for persons of all ages and abilities. Visit them here.