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Durango Travel Tips
Planning a trip to Durango and looking for some good advice? From how to acclimatize to Durango’s high altitude to dealing with Durango’s unpredictable weather and wildlife, here are a handful of traveler’s tips to make your Durango vacation enjoyable!
- Acclimatizing to High Altitude
- Camping use- Durango Camping
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Durango High Season
- Mesa Verde Country
- Road Conditions and Hazardous Weather
- Special Permits
- Weather
- Wildlife
Colorado Sightseeing
Let yourself acclimatize & drink plenty of water
Durango is situated at 6,512 feet above sea level. If you are coming from a lower altitude, you might feel a little lightheaded and even nauseous during the first part of your trip. Take it easy, give yourself time to acclimate, and drink lots of water!
Durango Camping
Don’t drink the water
Hiking and backcountry camping are very popular activities in the Durango area. Even though Durango’s mountain streams, lakes, and rivers make look pure and clean, it is never recommended to drink unfiltered water from these sources. Always bring your own water as well as a water filter or purification tablets with you to avoid running the risk of falling ill from water-borne bacteria.
Plan Ahead
If you're planning a Durango camping trip make sure to check with the San Juan Public Lands Office for current campground information and fire restrictions.
Riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train
A trip back in time on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a popular activity included in many Durango vacation itineraries. Below are a few tips to help make your trip enjoyable and comfortable!
Durango & Silverton Train Schedule
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates year-round. During winter months, however, the train doesn’t travel all the way to Silverton, but to beautiful and snowy Cascade Canyon. During the spring, summer, and fall months, when the train runs all the way to Silverton, you will have a full 2 hour and 15 minute layover in Silverton. Use this time to grab lunch and explore this quaint mining town, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Check out current Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad schedules and rates or Durango train packages.
No pets on the train, please
Durango is a very pet friendly town, however, furry friends are not allowed on the train. If you plan on bringing your pets with you on vacation, we don’t blame you! Just arrange for them to stay in one of Durango’s dog kennels for the day while you ride the Durango & Silverton Train.
Food and Facilities on the Durango & Silverton Train
If you plan to spend the day on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, you may bring your own lunch and beverages, purchase snacks from the concession car on the train, or wait until you reach Silverton to dine at one of their local restaurants. Oh, and don’t worry -- there are plenty of restroom facilities on the train!
Recommended clothing for your trip back in time
Wear suitable clothing to keep you warm and comfortable as you travel through the San Juan National Forest aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. As you climb in elevation from 6,512 feet to 9,318 feet, the temperature drops and it can get chilly, even in the summer. It's a good idea to dress in layers, and bring a rain jacket or waterproof layer just in case. In the winter months, of course, wear warm clothing and a heavy winter jacket. Check out current Durango Weather conditions and be prepared for Colorado’s often unpredictable weather!
Durango High Season
Make reservations in advance
Summer is a wonderful, yet often very busy, time of year to visit Durango. If you are planning to visit Durango between late June and August, therefore, we recommend you plan ahead and make your Durango lodging and summer activity reservations in advance, if possible.
Mesa Verde Country
Mesa Verde Country is located just 35 miles west of Durango, and is the archaeological center of the United States. Mesa Verde Country is home to Mesa Verde National Park, the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Hovenweep National Monument, the Anasazi Heritage Center and Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.
Touring Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round (weather permitting) and visitors may walk, drive, or take a bus tour to experience thousands of archaeological sites, interpretive loops, and scenic pullouts. Allow for a full day to explore Mesa Verde National Park.
The Ancestral Puebloan people lived all throughout Mesa Verde country, so if you happen across undiscovered ruins or artifacts, please do not take from or disturb the area, and contact the proper authorities.
The majority of your time visiting Mesa Verde Country will be spent outside, so make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes, loose clothing, and a hat to protect you from the sun. Sunscreen and plenty of water are also essential to making your trip comfortable.
Durango Road Conditions and Hazardous Weather
Check weather and road conditions before and during your trip
Durango is situated along the San Juan Skyway, at the intersection of U.S. Highways 160 (east/west) and 550 (north/south). If you plan to take a trip along this route, or venture into the surrounding backcountry, we highly recommend you check current road conditions and the Durango weather forecast before you do. Check out current Colorado road conditions, updated and available year round from the Colorado Department of Transportation, or call their hotline at 1-877-315-7623. Weather in the Colorado high country is notoriously unpredictable, so check out conditions before and during your trip, and be safe!
Special Permits
Better safe than sorry
Durango is a great place for fishing as well as a popular ATV and hunting destination. Before you cast your line or head into the backcountry, check with the San Juan Public Lands Office to find out about any required special permits: (970) 247-4874. Failure to purchase and carry the required permits could result in a hefty fine, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Durango Weather
Wear sunscreen!
Durango boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year! Add that to Durango’s high altitude (6,512 feet) and notoriously unpredictable weather, and you could get a sunburn in the middle of winter or a snowstorm in June (it happens!). Durango locals recommend, therefore, you don’t forget the following items to make your Durango vacation comfortable, any time of year: sunscreen, plenty of water, layered clothing and sunglasses. Check out current Durango weather and plan accordingly!
Durango Hiking Trails
Please don’t approach or feed the wildlife
Although they may look soft, cute, and friendly, the wildlife you may encounter while enjoying the outdoors in Durango are wild animals. Never approach a wild animal, no matter how cuddly and friendly it may appear – it’s not. Feeding wildlife, furthermore, will make them dependent upon humans for food and could lead to overpopulation and aggression. So please, do not approach nor feed wildlife.
Drive Safe – be aware
Wildlife is everywhere! Not only are you likely to run into wildlife in the San Juan National Forest, but also within Durango city limits where herds of deer and elk can often be spotted strolling through neighborhood yards and grazing on golf courses. While deer and elk can be seen at any time of day they are more active in town between dawn and dusk. Please be aware and take extra caution while driving during these times and remember that when one crosses the road, more are likely to follow!
