Durango Silverton Train

Since 1882

About The Durango Train

The Durango Silverton train is one of the most scenic and historic railroads in America. When it was built in 1882, the route was nailed and blasted through an undeniably dramatic stretch of the Rocky Mountains, all for the purpose of moving passengers and ore from Silverton’s thriving mines to Durango’s smoky smelter.

Today, the locomotive continues to chug through the largest wilderness in Colorado, following its original imposing route along high line cliffs, dramatic gorges, and lush forests of the roaring Animas River Canyon. A ride on this 140-year-old narrow gauge is an absolute must for anyone who visits Southwest Colorado.

How to Get the Most out of a Durango Train Ride

Things to Know for Your Durango Train Ride:

One Way Train Options:

Most folks who have ridden the Durango train say a one-way ride is enough to get the full experience.

Many prefer to use the scenic Skyway Shuttle to or from Silverton, or the Trails & Rails package for a fuller experience of the train’s amazing history and the San Juan Mountains.

Trails & Rails Package:

This package combines a scenic shuttle to Silverton, a Silverton Jeep tour, and a one-way train ride back to Durango. Your shuttle guide will provide a wealth of insight about the area, as well as your Jeep guide, who will take you into the mountains that surround Silverton and up to the mines that created the town in the first place. Trails & Rails Trips

Lasts from 8 AM to 6 PM. See the full itinerary and details below!

Scenic Roundtrips:

A roundtrip from Durango to Silverton is approximately 9+ hours. The train ride itself is around 3.5 hours, with 2 hours to enjoy Silverton. Scenic Roundtrips

Steam Train (early May – late October) : Departs 9 AM, Returns ~6 PM

Diesel Train (late May – early October) : Departs 8:15 AM, Returns ~5:15 PM

Cascade Canyon Express:

For those who want to take a shorter roundtrip journey on the Durango Train, the Cascade Canyon Express is a great option as it takes just over 5 hours. Cascade Canyon Trips

May – August: Depart 9:45 AM, Return 3:00 PM

November – May: TBH

Best Seats on the Train:

When riding the train from Durango to Silverton, you’ll want to sit on the right side for a front row set to the expansive views. Alternatively, when you’re chugging back to Durango, sit on the left side.

For the car options, locals and previous train riders tend to favor the Open Air Gondolas for better views, fresh mountain air, and the powerful sounds of the train.

Train Car Options from Least to Most Expensive:

Coach Class: The standard option in an enclosed coach with functional windows to open and close as you please.

Open Air Gondola: Highly recommended! The option comes with bench-style seating facing out to the vistas. Bring layers for high-elevation temperature changes and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the soot. Also, consider wearing dark colors!

Deluxe Class: An enclosed coach that features extra roomy, overstuffed and face-to-face seating. Enclosed deluxe cars offer face-to-face seating (flippable to forward-facing on the San Juan).

Deluxe Rio Grande Gondola: Open-air car that features outward-facing extra-padded row style seating with waist high side walls that are open from waist to ceiling and a full roof to protect you from the elements.

First Class (All Ages): All first-class cars include an onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, morning pastry, souvenir mug, and one Durango & Silverton tote bag per couple/group. Seating options vary by car and include either table and padded chair configuration or overstuffed forward-facing (flippable) seating.

First Class (21+): Same as the first class option for all ages, but with adults only!

Trails & Rails PAckage

If you want to fully experience the extraordinary scenery of Silverton and the wild mining history that built the Durango train, we recommend combining a morning Silverton Jeep tour with a one-way train ride back to Durango in the afternoon. This package comes with quite a few perks, including:

A scenic shuttle to Silverton on the San Juan Skyway
An off roading tour to Silverton’s historic mining sites, waterfalls, and mountain meadows
Time to shop and grab lunch in Silverton
A 3 1/2 hour train ride through the Animas River Canyon to Durango (in lieu of spending 7+ hours on the train)

Schedule:

8 am: Meet your Mild to Wild shuttle driver in the Railroad parking lot located west of McDonalds on College Drive (All day parking is available in the DSNGRR parking lot).
8:15 am: Shuttle leaves promptly.
10 am: Arrive in the historic, Victorian town of Silverton.
10:15 am-1 pm: Explore the high country and ghost towns with your guides on customized 4×4 tour vehicles.
1 pm: Return to Silverton to enjoy shopping and lunch on your own.
2:30 pm: Board train for 2:45 train return to Durango.
6:15 pm: Arrive in Durango.

This package is available from May – October (Monday – Saturday). Please note that you will have to book your Durango train ticket individually, as well as your Shuttle & Jeep Tour. We make it easy with instructions of how to book here!

Starts at $264

Reviews from our Guests

    
 
 
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   Sandra Perez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked a tour of Mesa Verde for a full day. Arrived at 8:00; returned at 4:30. The day was not a blue bird sky day - we had clouds, drizzle, rain and grey but the experience was surreal. Overlooks of amazing architecture in the cliffs, pit adobes in the corn fields, storage of grain in the cliffs - all viewed easily from the road and overlooks. Easily seen but not easily understood. That’s where our tour guide, Jay was an incredible asset. He added so much to our viewing of these spaces that we will take away incredible knowledge of the Pueblan People. And then the tour of the Palace. WOW! In fact, WOW was the word of the day! Jay was the best of the best. I have gone with Viator before and have not been disappointed. They pick the best tour companies in the area. Thanks Jay for a wonderful experience.
  
 
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   R C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Eli was amazing!!!!  Well guided and have to say we were the only boat to have one maybe two people go overboard!  Haha!  But seriously, calm, knowledgeable and fun!
  
 
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   Deb Terry 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From start to finish our guide,  Tim made sure that we had the absolute best experience on the Jeep tour! The sites that he took us to,  the information he gave us ensured a memory of a lifetime! Highly recommend!
  
 
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   Crystal Lemmons 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The half day kayak trip was an adventure worth experiencing. Eli was our guide and was helpful and enjoyable.
  
 
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   R Di Wu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hannah our guide was amazing!! She took expert care of two moms and our 5 and 7 year old kids!! All the other guides played water gun battle with our kids the whole trip!! Paton was the other guide and I forgot the other names 😭 everyone was awesome 😀 Highly recommend!! We also tried Tom's for Canadian food like the guides recommended and it was delicious!!!  Thank you!!! Will be back!!!
  
 
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   Oleksii Misiura 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First time on the rafting, and i received best experience, highly recommend this place to visit Special thanks to the instructors Eli, Hannah and Payton, best guy's!
  
 
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   Dmytro Dmytrenko 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really emotional and fun trip, thanks to all team. Everyone should try kayaking
  
 
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   Trey Walker 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Creed and Peyton were awesome guides! Would highly recommend checking out this place.
  
 
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   Nikki Coppola 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Peyton was an awesome guide! Beautiful scenery and so much fun!

What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789

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Meet Location & Directions

Mild to Wild Packages

Mild to Wild offers a large selection of half-day tours that make it easy to mix and match adventures for those who are short on time. If you don’t see a combination listed here that you’d be interested in, give us a call! Guests who book at least two of our trips that include Rafting, Jeep Tours or Mesa Verde receive 7.5% off of each trip!