Durango, Colorado

The town of Durango, located in Southwest Colorado is an eclectic blend of year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound among the river runners in kayaks and rafts, horseback riders, skiers, hikers, fishermen, hunters and your general enjoyment seeker. Boasting the Durango Mountain Resort, home to winter sports and activities as well as the summer alpine slide, hiking and biking and the Colorado Trail, which spans 500 miles to Denver and crosses seven national forests, eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas and five rivers.

Durango is also home to several golf courses including Dalton Ranch Golf Club and The Cliffs at Tamarron, which is a par 72 master levels’ course. Durango is bordered by the San Juan National Forest, a wilderness area that encompasses 14,000 foot peaks, geological and ecological history and is the home of the historic Narrow Gauge Railroad. This vintage railway was converted from a working railroad, which hauled precious metals in the 1880’s, to a one-of-a-kind opportunity to step into the past and ride through the stunning Animas Gorge. For a more enriched train experience, the price of the ticket includes admittance in the D&SNGRR Museum and the Silverton Freight Yard Museum.

Downtown Durango offers high-end shopping, historical buildings like the Strater Hotel, and for the kids, The Children’s Museum of Durango. The museum is an active learning center bursting with the energy of its seasonal displays that always include interactive and educational elements.

History

Durango is also a town built upon the pursuit of mineral wealth in this naturally abundant area. The Old Spanish Trail was used until the end of the 19th century as a means through the area. The first Animas City was built in the Rockwood area around 1861. Other early communities were also established on mining wealth including Rico, Ophir and Telluride. Durango was established in 1880 as a railhead for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The New York Smelting Company was also established in early Durango to process the ore. The fire of 1889 destroyed most of the downtown buildings, which were later rebuilt in stone and brick. Areas around Durango began to support agricultural and livestock related endeavors including harvesting timber and raising cattle.

The San Juan National Forest was reserved in 1905, but around this time the activity had slowed, mostly becoming an area of ranching and farming. In the 1950’s Fort Lewis College moved from Hesperus to the mesa above the city and switched from a two-year agricultural school to a four-year institution of liberal arts. Purgatory opened in the 1960’s and with the addition of these two elements Durango began to experience economics fostered by tourism and continued growth.

Facts

Population: 13,922 residents
Elevation: 6,512 feet
Established: 1880

Things To Do

Raft, canoe, kayak, peak bag, rock-climbing, backpacking, hiking, floating, fishing, dine at local restaurants, tour historic downtown, ride the Narrow Gauge Railroad, horseback riding, and glider tours.

What Adventure Trips Does Mild To Wild Offer in Durango, Colorado?

We offer a number of rafting and jeep tour packages in and around Durango, Colorado.
View all of our adventure packages.

Sign Up For a Durango Adventure Today!