Durango is located in the southwest of the state of Colorado and is a modest-sized town with a big personality. Nestled in the Animas River Valley in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, the scenery is spectacular and one of the reasons that Durango is a major tourist attraction in the USA.
Durango is paradise for outdoor buffs, given its splendid location. There are many tourist companies operating in the area keen to promote their outdoor activities, the list of which is massive. The River of Lost Souls, or El Río de las Animas Perdidas, is one of America’s top destinations for fly-fishing and white-water rafting.
Mountain biking, rock-climbing, hiking, camping and kayaking are other popular outdoor activities in the area. The town was made famous when Hollywood began using the area for filming blockbusters such as Cliffhanger, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Around the World in 80 days, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and How the West Was Won. During the winter the town is a perfect launching post for some of Colorado’s best skiing as five major ski resorts are within 30 minutes of Durango.
Highlights
Mountain biking: regardless of your level of ability there is a trail especially for you to test your nerve and skill while perched on top of a rental mountain bike.
Camping: the area around Durango has numerous campsites as does the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Experience the real outdoors by camping along the old Spanish route.
Fishing: the cold waters around Durango provide anglers with some of the best and challenging freshwater fishing the region has to offer, with some of the best scenery too.
Hiking: there are literally thousands of hiking trails to cope with all levels of fitness, from the city stroller to the adventurous.
Kayaking and white-water rafting: traveling down the Animas river provides water enthusiasts with a uniquely Colorado experience and challenge.
Skiing and snowboarding: for almost half the year skiers and snowboarders flock to Durango for some white fluffy fun and the town is awash with winter sports enthusiasts.