Weather In Durango - What to Expect
Durango fully participates in the four seasons with year-round temperatures ranging from 90° highs to single-digit lows. Also, it’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day, where 70 and sunny can easily get interrupted with sleet, hail, and lightning storms. Blame it on the mountains!
Spring
Blooming gardens and comfortable temperatures with snow caps in the distance make this an incredible time to be in Colorado. Warmth in the San Juan Mountains kick starts the runoff for the Animas River, filling this free-flowing stream with scrumptous whitewater.
April
Avg. High 62° F
Avg. Low 29 ° F
May
Avg. High 71° F
Avg. Low 36° F
June
Avg. High 82° F
Avg. Low 43° F
Summer
A summer that doesn’t singe or weigh you down with the evil known as high humidity is another attribute that makes Durango so stellar. This is wildflower season, where alpine meadows resemble scenery you thought only existed in paintings and children’s fairytales.
July
Avg. High 87° F
Avg. Low 51° F
August
Avg. High 84° F
Avg. Low 49° F
September
Avg. High 77° F
Avg. Low 41° F
Fall
Hello yellow! This time of year is famous for the colors sprawling over the San Juan Mountains. Snow will flutter occasionally in the early season and start on its base layers around the holidays.
October
Avg. High 65° F
Avg. Low 31° F
November
Avg. High 52° F
Avg. Low 21° F
December
Avg. High 42° F
Avg. Low 14° F
Winter
Powder and Snowdown are the main topics of discussion this time of year. Locals make the most of having the town back to themselves by indulging in daily adventures and partaking in the annual, weeklong festival that was solely created to cure cabin fever.
January
Avg. High 39° F
Avg. Low 11° F
February
Avg. High 46° F
Avg. Low 16° F
March
Avg. High 53° F
Avg. Low 23° F
8 tips to enjoy Durango summer like a local
Feeling like you want to partake in summer like a real Durangatang? It’s okay if you still want to comb your hair and pass on the vegan burrito, check out a few ways to do Durango like the locals in summertime.
Rafting, kayaking, SUPing
We don’t need an ocean to be beach bums and surfers— Durango is surrounded by waves! With the Animas River running right through town and three lakes within a short drive, what exactly are you doing if you’re not on the water?
Backpacking
As the largest wilderness in Colorado, the Wenimuche Wilderness is a thru-hiker’s dream. The endless selection of routes allows backpackers to take quick overnight trips to extended excursions along the Colorado Trail or Continental Divide Trail.
Climbing
Become one with the wall, man. You don’t have to go far to start scrambling sandstone and granite in Durango. From bouldering in Turtle Lake to cragging in Lemon Reservoir, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get those hands chalked and crimped.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
This terrain was made for world-class athletes, especially the ones who ride. Durango is covered with single tracks and torturous climbs, not to mention the entire town is connected by the Animas River Trail. You might even catch an Olympian training on the San Juan Skyway.
Brew Sippin’
Somethin’ about beer… it’s really good. And something about the brewers here… they’re real, real good. San Juan Brewfest, Skafest, and Oktoberfest show off the local hops, and if you miss those, head in any direction and you’ll find a beloved brewery.
Support the Local Bluegrass
We like banjos and fiddles and lots of ‘em! The bluegrass scene comes with a special flair in Colorado where jam bands mix with the folk, saxophones will appear at any time, and acoustic necks get ripped so hard your ears probably won’t believe it.
Fly Fishing
Colorado rivers come loaded with trout, the San Juan in particular. Whether you want to cast out right in town on the Animas, or take to the high country streams for more seclusion, there’s a good chance that you’re going to get bites.
Get High
You know exactly what we mean… Climb some peaks! Engineer and Animas mountain are “smaller” local favorites. Or go for the wide selection of fourteeners— Mt. Eolus and Mt. Sneffels are popular summits