Durango
Around Durango
Photo: Durango web creations · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Colorado · 56k people
Durango
Locals say Southwest Colorado
Where the San Juans touch the sky
firebrick redgoldenrod
Welcome to Southwest Colorado, where the mountains meet the desert and the Animas River runs through town. Whether you're here for the train, the trails, or the craft beer, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors.
Clubs for Durango
No clubs for Durango yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Durango. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Durango. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Historic steam train through the San Juan Mountains
- Mesa Verde National Park Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings
- Purgatory Resort Ski and summer resort near Durango
- Animas River Trail Paved trail along the Animas River
- Silverton Historic District Well-preserved Victorian mining town
- Four Corners Monument Only place where four US states meet
- Outdoors Hike the San Juan Mountains
- Outdoors Mountain bike the Animas River Trail
- With kids Ride the Durango & Silverton Railroad
- With kids Tour Mesa Verde cliff dwellings
- Evenings Brewery hopping on Main Avenue
- Evenings Live music at the Animas City Theatre
- Locals love Local breweries
- Locals love Coffee shops
Through the year
- Snowdown Winter Festival January January
- Iron Horse Bicycle Classic May Bike race from Durango to Silverton
- Durango Bluegrass Meltdown May Bluegrass music festival
- Music in the Mountains July Classical music festival
- Durango Fiesta Days July 4th of July celebration
High desert climate with four distinct seasons: cold snowy winters, mild springs, warm summers with monsoon thunderstorms, and crisp colorful falls. Best: Late spring through early fall for hiking and biking; winter for skiing.
Talk like a local
- “Purg”
- Purgatory Resort
- “The Animas”
- The Animas River
- “San Juans”
- The San Juan Mountains
- “Front Range”
- The Denver area, used to contrast with the mountains
Getaways
- Farmington, NM Explore Aztec Ruins and the Animas River
- Montrose, CO Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Alamosa, CO Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Grand Junction, CO Colorado National Monument and wineries
Local flavour
Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Colorado green chili A hearty stew of pork, green chiles, and spices, often served over burritos or eggs.
- Navajo tacos Fry bread topped with beans, meat, cheese, and vegetables, a regional favorite.
- Craft beer from local breweries Durango has a thriving brewery scene, with many small-batch beers.
Where people go
- Historic mining towns Silverton, Durango, and others preserve the Old West character.
- Hot springs Natural thermal pools and spas are scattered throughout the region.
- Mountain trails Hiking, biking, and horseback riding through the San Juans.
- Scenic railroad routes
Heritage and traditions
Southwest Colorado takes pride in its deep Native American heritage, rugged mining and railroad history, and a vibrant outdoor culture that blends old and new.
This time of year in Durango
- Fall aspen viewing September-October Late September to early October, the mountains glow with golden aspen leaves.
Say it like a local: “Four Corners local” — A term for a local resident of the Four Corners area
Festivals
- Southern Ute Tribal Fair and Powwow September Held in Ignacio each September, celebrating Ute heritage with dancing, drumming, and food.
- Durango Independent Film Festival March A spring showcase of independent films from around the world.
- Mancos Days July A small-town celebration in Mancos with a parade, live music, and community events.
- Dolores River Festival June A summer music festival along the Dolores River with local bands and river activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum In Ignacio, this museum preserves and shares Ute history, art, and culture.
- Ute Mountain Tribal Park A protected area near Cortez with Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, guided by Ute guides.
- Anasazi Heritage Center In Dolores, this museum houses artifacts from the Ancestral Puebloans and offers interpretive trails.
- Hovenweep National Monument Near Cortez, featuring ancient stone towers and pueblos built by the Ancestral Puebloans.
- Durango Historic District A downtown area with Victorian-era buildings, many dating from the 1880s railroad boom.
Food traditions
- Fry bread at powwows A staple at Ute and Navajo gatherings, often served with honey or as a taco base.
- Green chile smothered burritos A New Mexico influence that's become a Colorado morning staple, often with eggs and potatoes.
- Elk and bison from hunting season Many locals hunt elk and mule deer in the fall, and game meat is shared in stews and jerky.
- Pinyon nut gathering In late summer, families collect pinyon pine nuts, a traditional Native American food.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and folk music A strong local scene with venues like the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown (already mentioned) and many jam sessions.
- Native American pottery and jewelry Ute and Navajo artisans create traditional crafts sold in galleries and trading posts.
- Western art and painting Galleries in Durango and Mancos showcase contemporary Western landscapes and cowboy themes.
- Independent filmmaking The Durango Independent Film Festival and the area's dramatic scenery attract filmmakers.
A little history
- 1200s Ancestral Puebloans built cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde and the surrounding area.
- Pre-1800s Ute and Navajo peoples inhabited the region long before European settlement.
- 1881 Durango was founded as a railroad and mining supply town.
- 1906 Mesa Verde National Park was established to preserve the cliff dwellings.
- 1950s Uranium mining boomed in the area during the Cold War, shaping local towns.
- Game day Mountain biking culture
- Game day Après-ski at Purgatory
- Outdoors Hike to Ice Lakes
- Outdoors Mountain bike Phil's World
- With kids Visit the Durango Fish Hatchery
- With kids Explore the Powerhouse Science Center
Locals speak with a relaxed Western accent, mixing Spanish place names and a few Ute or Navajo terms. They often say 'the San Juans' for the mountains and pronounce 'Animas' as 'AN-uh-mus'.
Only here
- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the last operating steam trains of its kind in the U.S.
- The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic pits cyclists against the train from Durango to Silverton every May.
- The Four Corners Monument lets you stand in four states at once—a quirky photo op.
- Purgatory Resort's name comes from the nearby Purgatory River, and locals often joke about 'going to Purgatory' for skiing.
New here? A few tips
- Acclimatize to the altitude—Durango sits at 6,512 feet, so drink extra water and take it easy the first few days.
- Learn to pronounce 'Animas' (AN-uh-mus) and 'Durango' (duh-RANG-go) to sound like a local.
- Be ready for sudden weather changes, especially in the mountains; carry layers even in summer.
- Respect Native American lands and cultural sites—always stay on marked trails and ask permission before entering tribal areas.
- Try a green chile smothered breakfast burrito at a local diner—it's a regional staple.
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Nearby
Every areaCortezColoradoWhere the desert sky meets ancient stoneFarmingtonNew MexicoWhere the desert meets the riverTelluride–OurayColoradoHigh peaks, hot springs, and starry nights.Pagosa SpringsColoradoWarm waters, wild mountains.MontroseColoradoMountain towns, hot springs, and endless sky.San Luis ValleyColoradoHigh desert skies, potato fields, and the Sangre de Cristo range.AlamosaColoradoHigh desert heart, wide open skies.Grand JunctionColoradoWhere the river meets the red rocks, and peaches taste like sunshine.
Durango, CO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.