Durango, Colorado
Beware of the delights aimlessly bumbling about in Durango, Colorado! A place of itineraries thicker than the aspen groves— where even the locals are plastered with wanderlust.
You’ll be flabbergasted by the list of choices of lodging, restaurants, and activities in a town cuter than pie-cooling-on-the-windowsill suburbia. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed, our insider’s guide will direct you to the best places to snooze, grub, and stretch those hamstrings.
Things to do in Durango
Durango is the perfect basecamp for adventure, blending wild landscapes with iconic Southwest experiences. From whitewater rafting on the Animas River and guided Jeep Tours into the San Juan Mountains, to exploring the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park and riding the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, there’s no shortage of unforgettable ways to experience the region. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, scenery, or history, Durango delivers adventure in every direction.
Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking Trips
Animas River
4hrs 15min on water, 5hrs 45min from meet to return.
- Standard Raft: Adult $149 | Youth $139
- Premium Raft: $189
Animas River
2hrs 15min on water, 3hrs and 45min from meet to return
Standard Raft: Adult $99 | Youth $79
Premium Raft: $129
Animas River
1hr on water, 2hrs and 20min from meet to return
- Standard Raft: $79 Adult l $69 Youth
- Premium Raft: $99/person
Upper Animas River
Campout in the Upper Animas Canyon and run the Needleton Section the next day!
Adult/Youth: $749
Upper Animas River
Take on constant class III and IV rapids, accessible only from the Durango Train!
Adults/Youth: $499
Animas River
4hrs 15min on the water, 5hrs 45min from meet to return. Lunch included.
- Per person: $189
Animas River
2hrs 15min on the water, 3hrs and 45min from meet to return.
- Per person: $129
Animas River
1hr on water, 2hrs and 20min from meet to return.
- Per Person: $99
Pagosa Springs, CO
Splash through whitewater rapids in this pristine wilderness waterway as you spin around rocks and drop through chutes. Start at the head waters and paddle through lush alpine forest as creeks cascade into the river forming numerous, technical Class II rapids.
Jeep & National Park Tours
La Plata Canyon
On the 1/2 day trip you’ll see panoramic views of mountain peaks and abundant wildlife.
- Standard Tour: Adult $119 | Youth $99
- Premium Tour: $149
Durango, Colorado
On the 1/4 day trip you’ll adventure into Columbus Basin, filled with wildflowers, waterfalls & wildlife.
- Standard Tour: Adult $89 | Youth $84
La Plata Canyon
On the 1/2 day trip you’ll see panoramic views of mountain peaks and abundant wildlife.
- Standard Tour: Adult $119 | Youth $99
- Premium Tour: $149
Mancos, CO
See the best sites in 4 hours!
- Standard: Adult $129 | Youth $109
- Premium: $199
Durango, CO
A full day tour! Includes lunch and tickets for Cliff Palace.
- Standard: Adult $189 | Youth $159
- Premium: $279
Silverton, CO
Combining the Million Dollar Sky Way, the famous Silverton train and an interpretive, off road tour to Colorado’s most preserved mining towns creates the total Colorado package!
- Adult: $199
- Youth: $159
Plan Your Trip To Durango
The info you need to plan your trip to Durango Colorado. Local’s recommendations for the best time to visit, how to get here, where to stay, and what weather to expect when you arrive.
Lodging
Hotels, B&B's and Camping
Restaurants
Restaurants
Free Things To Do
Weather
Best Times To Visit
Best Times To Visit
Getting to Durango
Durango Area Travel Guides
Curated content from locals who know. These guides include perfect activities, insider tips, and the info you need to put together the perfect itinerary no matter what sort of experience your group is going for.
Other Activities in Durango
Whether you’re the outdoorsy type or more of a bystander, there’s a bunch of daily indulgences waiting to be tried. Take a nice sit on a zipline, a dip in natural hot springs, or roam any of the 30+ nearby hiking trails.
Just want to take a good look around? There are plenty of scenic drive awaiting around every bend. Alternatively, Durango is home to countless mountain biking trails that will give you great views of all this area has to offer!
Meet Location & Directions
- Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
- 970-247-4789
- 50 Animas View Dr., Durango, CO 81301
- Get Directions
Durango, Colorado Vacation Planning FAQs
When is the best time to visit Durango for outdoor adventures?
For the ideal mix of mountain scenery and river excitement, May through September is the prime window. May and June offer the fastest water for rafting on the Lower Animas and the peak of the high-country snowmelt for the Upper Animas. For families seeking warm-water swimming and splashy Class II-III rapids, July and August are perfect. If you’re focused on land adventures like Mesa Verde National Park tours or Jeep excursions, September and October provide milder temperatures and a world-class display of golden aspen leaves.
When can I book trips in Durango?
Our Durango adventure season typically runs from early May through October. Throughout this time, we offer daily departures for Animas River rafting, La Plata Canyon Jeep tours, and guided interpretive tours of Mesa Verde. To experience the very best of Southwest Colorado, we recommend booking a Value Adventure Package, which allows you to combine rafting and off-roading with a ride on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a complete “Trails and Rails” experience.
What is the minimum age for Durango adventures?
We offer a wide range of Mild to Wild experiences to suit different ages:
- Lower Animas Rafting & Jeep Tours: Minimum age is 4 years old (at least 35 lbs).
- Mesa Verde Discovery Tours: Recommended for ages 4 and up, as these tours involve light walking and exploring ancient cliff dwellings.
- Inflatable Kayaking: For those seeking more independence, the minimum age is 11+ (or at least 5′ 2″).
High Adventure Rafting (Upper Animas): These technical Class IV-V trips require participants to be at least 14 to 16 years old, depending on water levels.
What should I wear and bring on my Durango vacation?
Durango’s mountain weather can shift quickly, especially when gaining elevation on a Jeep tour or hitting the snow-fed river.
- On the River: Wear a swimsuit or quick-dry synthetic layers. Avoid cotton, as it stays cold when wet. We provide PFDs and helmets, and wetsuit rentals are highly recommended through June.
- On the Land: Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops or Crocs), a sun hat, and lightweight layers. For Jeep tours, we recommend a sweatshirt or jacket as temperatures drop at higher elevations.
- Essentials: A refillable water bottle (we provide water for refills), polarized sunglasses with a retention strap, waterproof sunscreen, and a camera.
You can find our full Durango packing guide here.
Are rafting, Jeep tours, and Mesa Verde tours in Durango safe?
Adventure activities like white water rafting, off-road Jeep tours, and National Park excursions are inherently dangerous and involve risks that cannot be fully eliminated. Therefore, we require all guests to sign a liability waiver and assumption of risk. However, your safety is our top priority. To minimize risk, we employ professional guides who are trained beyond state requirements and are certified in CPR and First Aid. Whether you are navigating the Animas in our high-quality self-bailing rafts or exploring 12,000-foot mountain passes in our roll-cage-equipped vehicles, our guides provide thorough briefings to prioritize a professional and secure environment for your entire group.