With rain and snow melt comes mud, and with mud comes messy bikes and boots. Sunny spring weather brings rain and melted snow to Durango which causes trails to become unusable for a small period of time. This period of the year is typically referred to as mud season and starts during early spring. It’s best to avoid muddy trails whenever possible and stick to dry ones. While this may sound like a bummer there is still plenty to do in Durango during mud season.
Grab a beer with friends at Steamworks or check out local museums like the Center of Southwest Studies. Even if the trails aren’t dry, fun in Durango will still be at an all time high.
Enjoy mud season in Durango by being smart about trail conditions when hiking or biking Durango’s 100 miles of natural surface trails.
What is Mud Season?
Mud season in Durango is that time of year when winter is coming to a close but summer hasn’t quite arrived. It usually hits between late March and May, when the melting snow and spring rains turn trails and dirt roads into a sloppy, muddy mess. Durango’s desert days and chilly nights don’t help—warmer days melt the snow, but cold nights refreeze everything, keeping things wet and mushy for weeks.
This creates an off-season for outdoor adventures. Skiing at Purgatory Resort begins to wind down, but hiking and mountain biking aren’t in full swing yet because many Durango trails are too muddy to use without damaging them.
That said, mud season has its perks. Durango’s peaceful mountain vibes are in full swing and the sunshine lends to more outside activities. If you don’t mind a little mud, you can still find drier, south-facing trails or stick to paved paths, like the Animas River Trail, for biking and walking. Or, just embrace it—hit the Durango Hot Springs, check out Durango’s breweries like Ska Brewing or Carver’s, and enjoy the calm before summer and rafting season kicks into high gear.
How to Keep the Trails Healthy During Mud Season
Stay on Dry Trails
Keep dry or mud will fly! It’s important to stick to dry trails when biking or hiking during mud season. Recreating on muddy trails can cause the trail to widen and damage surrounding flora and fauna. Soil displacement from running, biking, or walking can carry the soil away.
South-facing trails dry out faster because they get more sun, look for those when you go out on an early-season ride or hike. Paved paths and gravel roads are the best if you are looking to avoid a muddy mess.
Know and Respect the Trail Conditions
To avoid a sticky situation stay up to date on trail conditions across Durango. Check out the Durango Trails Trail condition report on their website before heading out on your ride or run. For even more current trail condition updates follow Durango Trails on Facebook and Instagram.
Join the Durango Trails Facebook Trail Conditions group for more information, and maybe find a friend to ride with in the process. The crews at Durango Trails work hard to manage and protect local trails, helping them maintain Durango’s public trails means staying off muddy trails. It's best to turn around when you come across a muddy trail during your ride or hike. If you need to cross through mud to get to the rest of a dry trail, go through the puddles and mud instead of going around.
Have a Plan B
Mud season in Durango can be a little unpredictable, so it’s best to have a backup plan in case you encounter a muddy trail. Picture this, you show up ready to enjoy the spring sun and bike Durango’s gorgeous Horse Gulch trail system. But, when you get to the trailhead it’s a muddy mess, don’t force it — switch to a drier, south-facing trail. Maybe even bike around town or on the paved Animas River Trail.
Not feeling a ride or hike? No problem. Relax at the Durango Hot Springs, walk down Main Street, or take a scenic drive through the San Juan Mountains. Checking trail conditions ahead of time helps, but being flexible is key. Either way, you’ll find plenty to do in Durango—mud or no mud.
How to Make the Most Out of Mud Season
Be Comfortable with a Different Activity
If the trails are too muddy that’s okay. Mud season is the perfect time to embrace different activities and go with the flow. Durango’s historic downtown is a great place to check out local restaurants like Eolus and Seasons. There are also plenty of cafes around town like Hermosa Cafe where you can order a latte and enjoy a good book. Scenic drives, wildlife watching, and even catching a movie at the local cinema can mix things up.
Head South and/or West
Sometimes the spring rains and snow melt cause Durang’s trails to become too muddy. If that’s the case head south to Farmington, or Aztec, New Mexico. Or head west of Durango to Cortez, Colorado where lower elevation means drier conditions. Farmington offers high desert hiking and biking at places like Glade Run Recreation Area. Aztec’s scenic trails near the Animas River and Aztec Ruins National Monument offer dry fun outside.
In Cortez, Phil’s World is a top mountain biking spot with well-draining trails and landscape views of the La Plata Mountains. These areas warm up faster than Durango, making them a perfect escape from mud season.
Do Something Indoors
If mud season makes your outdoor adventures tricky, you can spend the time exploring indoor activities around Durango. Try an art class at Durango Arts Center and let your creative juices flow by making some art or pottery.
Catch a live performance or film at the Henry Strater Theatre or Durango Arts Center. Get cozy with a book at the Durango Public Library which offers gorgeous views of the Animas River. For a dose of history, visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum or the Animas Museum. Embrace the calm of mud season and explore all the fun Durango has to offer.
Be Patient, the Trails will Dry!
Don’t worry! Durango’s trails will dry and you will be able to hike and bike your favorite trails in no time. Until then be aware of mud reason conditions and turn around if you encounter large patches of mud. It can be annoying to get all geared up for a ride or hike to end up being deterred by muddy trails. Don’t let a messy trail day ruin your fun, find some dry, rideable terrain and turn it into a sunny adventure.
Conclusion
Mud season in Durango might be a little messy, but it’s still a great time to explore all Duango has to offer. Staying off muddy trails helps preserve them and the plants around them. Some trails are too muddy but that means more time for hot springs, coffee shops, museums, or even a little road trip to drier trails nearby.
Embrace the season and have a backup plan. Don’t let a little mud stop you from having a good time in Durango.
