About This Trip
Of all the ways to escape Durango for a quick mountain fix, a journey into La Plata Canyon’s Columbus Basin is hard to beat! In just 2½ hours, you’ll climb to 10,745 feet for sweeping views of alpine meadows, soaring peaks, and vibrant mountain scenery. Along the way, you’ll discover cascading waterfalls, historic mining sites, and the rich beauty of Colorado’s wild country.
This shorter adventure still packs in plenty of wildlife sightings — keep your eyes peeled for deer, marmots, foxes, birds of prey, and, if luck’s on your side, a moose or bear.
From late June through early August, the meadows shimmer with wildflowers. Come late September to early October, glowing aspen groves take over the scene in a blaze of fall color. Whatever the season, Columbus Basin offers a taste of the San Juan Mountains you won’t forget.
- Breathtaking views from 10,745 feet in Columbus Basin
- Tumbling waterfalls and sparkling creeks
- Historic mining sites and ghost town remnants
- Vibrant wildlife: deer, marmot, fox, elk, moose, bear, birds of prey
- Wildflower displays in summer & golden aspens in fall
- Knowledgeable guides with fascinating canyon stories
- Fun, adventurous roads you’d never take in your own vehicle
Durango Jeep Tour – Discover the La Plata Mountains
Itinerary
Booking Options
Standard Jeep Tour
Escape to the breathtaking panoramic views of the La Plata Canyon where you’ll see colorful wildflowers, towering mountain peaks and wildlife.
- All Ages
Recent Reviews From Our Guests
Posted on Reda2025-10-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide was Ms. Pat. What a lovely knowledgeable lady! We learned some much about the area Native Americans and the history of the locale. Pat was engaging and attentive. She is a credit to your business!!!Posted on Natalie Nunez2025-10-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely amazing trip. Able to see Silverton like never before on the Jeep tour, and Jay was incredibly kind. I'd recommend this to anyone I can!Posted on Renee Privett2025-10-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My family and I had a great time on the half day trip down the Animas River. It was our first time in Durango. Our guide Hayden was awesome! Highly recommend!Posted on Larry Donahue2025-10-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tosh Black is phenomenal. This is our yearly trip and we picked Telluride. We went to Bridal Val Falls was off the chart amazing. We also went to Ophir Pass was unbelievable. We also got to see Alta Lakes,, breathtaking. Alex, thank you very much for letting Tosh Come out and play with his friends, that he gets to see once a year. Again, thank you very much to Tosh and Alex for making an awesome memory. You are the best.Posted on Lori Murakami2025-10-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tyler was an awesome guide. Friendly and knowledgeable. He took the time to educate us about the mining area and scraped rocks to show us the differences in color.Posted on Anne Baccich2025-10-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Did a van tour with Miles that was quite good in spite of the NPS shutdown of Mesa Verde. He clearly knows the history of the area and has great respect for the ruins and the culture of the ancient ones. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.Posted on Lisa Janzen2025-10-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Loved the off-roading Jeep ride! We had a great guide and also a great group.Posted on john sanford2025-10-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cat was great. Due to the government shutdown and parts of Mesa Verde being closed she improvised and provided a great learning experience for us. I did not appreciate a call at 9:10 pm the prior night from the scheduler asking if we could change our start times. The main office knew about the closures on Friday and waited until last minute on Sunday to call me about changing and at a late hour.Posted on Robin Simpson2025-10-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cat our guide was wonderful. Even though most of the national parks were closed Cat kept us entertained with her knowledge and stories. Thank you
What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789
Payments & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 9% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).
Cancellation Policy
Receive a 90% refund with written notice 36 hours or more before the trip. Less notice, no refund.
Trip Change Option
Up to 12 hours prior to departure, trips can be rescheduled for a different day and/or time. The price of this change policy is 5% of the total trip cost. Upgrade only available at time of reservation and must be applied to each seat.
What to Wear & Bring
- Dress in layers: T-shirt, sweat shirt and a warm jacket (Spring & Fall tours especially)
- Warm Hat & Gloves (Spring & Fall Tours)
- Sun Hat
- Rain Jacket
- Hiking Shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water Bottle – the guides will have water for refills!
- Snacks
- Camera
How To Dress And What To Bring On A Colorado Jeep Tour
Important Considerations
Colorado Car Seat Law states children up to 9 years old must be in an appropriate car seat. Please bring your own.
This route starts out smooth before becoming fairly bumpy half-way up the trail. If rocking around in the vehicle may cause any issues for you, please reach out and talk with our adventure consultants!
In fall and spring the temperatures/weather can fluctuate quite a bit. So bring layers with you just in case! The guides usually have blankets as well.
La Plata Canyon is prone to afternoon rain showers! Bring some rain gear.
All routes/itineraries are subject to change depending on road conditions.
Plan Your Trip
National & State Parks
National Monuments
Where to Stay
Best Times to Visit
Museums
Moab with Kids
Related Adventures
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Explore Mesa Verde and La Plata Canyon all in one day!
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Adult: $273.70
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Explore the mining towns, meadows, waterfalls, and amazing views of the San Juans!
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- Youth: $129
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