Photo Credit: colorado trips
A Durango vacation may be one of the best travel decisions you’ll ever make, regardless of the season. Nestled in the Animas River Valley in Colorado and surrounded by the beautiful San Juan Mountains, Durango and its surrounding mountains and rivers are a true paradise for outdoor activities and spectacular scenery to behold.
The name Durango comes from a Basque word Urango, meaning ‘water town’, and there’s certainly no shortage of it or the fun that comes with it. Running right through the town is the Animas River, popular for whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Extreme thrill seekers will love the upper Animas and the challenging white water rapids it provides, while the lower reaches are tamer and thus the perfect water adventure for folks of all ages. The section running through Durango itself is considered some of the best trout fly fishing in the country.
During snow season the nearby Durango Mountain Resort is home to some serious ski and winter sport fun on two terrain parks and 85 trails covering 1,200 acres of picturesque western landscapes. With over 260 inches of dry powder snowfall each year, a Durango vacation will more than satisfy any ski enthusiast’s appetite.
But the fun isn’t limited to the slopes or the winter months. Durango is also famous for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. These restored steam trains, dating back from the 1920’s and before, wind through 46 miles of the San Juan National Forest to the historic mining town of Silverton, Colorado.
You won’t want to miss a journey to nearby Mesa Verde to walk in the footsteps of the vanished Anasazi civilization. There you’ll see the magnificent and mysterious collection of cliff dwellings that have changed little since 600 AD when the Puebloans thrived here before mysteriously disappearing. It’s no wonder this site was rated the #1 ‘Historical Hot Spot’ by Historic Traveler magazine.
Downtown Durango itself is a Nationally Registered Historic District and home to historic hotels, award-winning restaurants, wonderful shopping and art galleries and lots of great nightlife. Durango even has minimal stakes gambling at two casinos.
Starting in early July and running through early August you can catch Music In The Mountains, an annual summer classical music festival that features performances by both professional and student artist.
Another spectacular Durango vacation spot you won’t want to miss is the beautiful Vallecito Lake, sheltered in a secluded mountain valley 8,000 feet up. One of Colorado’s largest bodies of water and just 22 miles northeast of Durango, Vallecito Lake in right in the heart of the San Juan National Forest. Breathtaking colors in the fall, horseback riding during the summer and plenty of fishing, boating and hiking make this a wonderful destination for the entire family.
There is simply so much that Durango has to offer every vacationer no matter what season of the year. Don’t miss out on the scenic beauty, outdoor adventure or first class skiing and plan your Durango vacation today!
