Top Durango Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Visit Mesa Verde National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site — on this full-day tour from Durango. With a guide, xplore the park's preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and other archaeological sites, learning about the history and culture of this ancient Native American community. Lunch is included.

See the UNESCO World Heritage–listed sites of Mesa Verde National Park on a tour of the park's Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. A guide provides insight into the history, architecture, and spiritual features of these ancient homes and how they were lived in hundreds of years ago. Please note, this tour starts inside the park; you must already be in the park after paying your own national park entrance fee.

The first national park to “preserve the works of man,” Mesa Verde stands alone as a national park, archaeological site, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this half-day tour, you’ll skip the search for parking and go straight to exploring the ancient cliff dwellings with a guide, learning about the park’s flora and fauna, geology, and human mystery—these ruins were abandoned around the year 1300.

Explore a rugged mountain landscape on a half-day Jeep tour to La Plata Canyon, and discover high-alpine meadows, avalanche gullies, and Colorado wildflowers with an experienced guide at the wheel. Both morning and afternoon departures are available for this La Plata Canyon tour, which departs from an office in Durango.

The Lower Animas River is one of the nation's most accessible rafting trips—a must-do in Durango for a day of family-friendly fun. Your guides can provide a range of options for all comfort levels, from a mild trip for ages 4+ to a Class III trip for an adrenaline-filled ride. No matter your route, you'll get your fair share of beautiful scenery, thrills, and splashes.

Drive along Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway and discover its history as you embark on a self-driving audio tour. Download the app and follow the driving route; the GPS indicates where you are and plays the audio for that particular location. Drive past abandoned mining towns, natural landmarks, and old railroads, learning of their histories as you go.

Get away from the crowds—and the scheduled ranger talks—and explore Mesa Verde National Park with a private guide in your pocket. Using just GPS and your smartphone, this self-guided audio driving tour takes you from fantastic cliff dwellings to panoramic viewpoints and beyond, loading you up with stories, facts, tips, and more. Only travel when, where, and how you like, creating your own customized-yet-guided tour.

Meet at our office in Durango, located at **360 South Camino del Rio, Suite 200**, approximately 20 minutes before departure. From there, you'll travel to Mesa Verde National Park in one of our comfortable touring vehicles with 15 passengers or fewer. This five hour experience is primarily a driving tour, giving you time to enjoy the spectacular scenery while your guide shares the archaeology, history, oral traditions, and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans. Along the way, you'll stop at one or two carefully selected overlooks or archaeological sites before continuing to the highlight of the day, **Cliff Palace**. Your tour includes the hard-to-get tickets for the National Park Service ranger-led tour, allowing you to spend approximately 45 minutes exploring the largest cliff dwelling in North America. After your visit, relax on the scenic drive back to Durango with a deeper appreciation for one of America's most remarkable national parks. Remember, we meet in DURANGO, not the Park.

The Trails and Rails package showcases the San Juan's stunning scenery. Begin with a morning cruise up the San Juan Skyway, featuring dramatic views of 14,000 ft. peaks. In historic Silverton, switch to open-air 4x4s for rugged terrain exploration. Discover 150-year-old mining settlements, meadows, and panoramic mountain views. Your local guide provides stories, information, and answers questions. After alpine exploration, return to Silverton for lunch and shopping. The journey's final leg is a train ride through the breathtaking Animas River Canyon. The train views differ from the shuttle, offering a remote Weminuche Wilderness perspective. Arrive at the train station for dinner.

Explore the ancient wonders of Mesa Verde National Park with our immersive audio tour! Walk among the cliff dwellings and archaeological sites of the Ancestral Pueblo people as our guides share captivating stories about their rich history, culture, and remarkable architecture. Learn about the significance of these ancient structures and the park's unique landscape. Perfect for families, history buffs, and curious travelers, our tour provides a fascinating and educational experience. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and embark on a journey through the incredible history of Mesa Verde National Park! *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

View the ancient sites of Mesa Verde National Park on a guided group tour from Durango, led by an archaeologist-trained guide. This half-day adventure lets you see significant archaeological sites and stunning overlooks while learning about the rich history of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The tour includes comfortable transportation, making it ideal for couples and families. While this tour does NOT include access to Cliff Palace or other cliff dwellings, it provides unforgettable views and insights into the cultural heritage of this remarkable area. Great for folks with mobility concerns since we are not climbing ladders. - Enjoy a 5-hour guided tour from Durango with expert insights - Visit key viewpoints and mesa-top sites in Mesa Verde - Transportation from our Durango, CO office

With its 5,000 archaeological sites situated in a striking desert environment, Mesa Verde National Park offers visitors a combination of natural and cultural attractions unfound anywhere else in the country. Explore the UNESCO-listed archaeological preserve and national park with a pro on this guided tour, which takes you to the park's must-see attractions, including the Cliff Palace. This tour includes all entrance fees, lunch, and round-trip transportation from Durango.

Experience the thrill of inflatable kayaking on Durango’s Lower Animas River! This 1/4 day trip lasts 2 hours and 25 minutes round trip, with 1 hour on the water. Navigate exciting Class II rapids and one exhilarating Class III rapid, including “Smelter,” “Santa Rita,” and “Sawmill,” with calmer stretches for scenery and relaxation. Lower water flows in late summer make the rapids even more exciting. No experience is needed—our expert guides provide gear, instruction, and local insights.

Skip the generic walking tours and explore Durango on your own personal scavenger hunt. Led by your smartphone—with your host in your pocket via WhatsApp—you and your crew will take to the town, finding clues, completing challenges, taking photos, solving puzzles, and exploring this Wild West hotspot with your own two feet.

Spend a day exploring Mesa Verde National Park with a professional guide. The park is an astoundingly beautiful reservoir of history featuring more than 40 miles of road, 5,000 archeological sites, and 600 of the best-preserved Pueblo cliff dwellings in the United States. Lunch, water, and  ranger-guided tours of two important sites—Cliff Palace and Balcony House—are included.

Experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of a rafting adventure on this professionally guided, 3-hour excursion. Ride along the clear, crisp waters of the Animas River in Durango. Crash through the Class I, II and III rapids, which are less technical but no less exciting for an introductory river experience. It’s a perfect balance for kids and adults wanting to share a fun day on the river. All boating equipment, plus transportation.

Explore Colorado's diverse beauty with this self-guided tour bundle! Uncover ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, then navigate the breathtaking vistas of the Million Dollar Highway. Adventure awaits in the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, where trails and wildlife abound. End with the striking rock formations of Garden of the Gods. This mostly driving tour, sprinkled with walks, offers a unique blend of history, nature, and scenic views. Capture the spirit of Colorado at your own pace. Purchase one tour per car. Everyone listens together! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, & enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour bundle for the US Rockies & Plains, featuring 15 tours including Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Theodore Roosevelt, Black Hills, scenic drives, and Yellowstone walks at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and West Thumb. Discover geysers, peaks, wildlife, history, and wide-open landscapes with GPS-triggered stories that play automatically offline, making it easy to explore by car and on foot. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

See the towering mountains and vibrant woods of La Plata County with the kind of thrills and adventure that you just can’t experience staying on the ground. Take to the air on a wild zipline course that runs across the treetops of the La Plata woods. Choose how you finish your tour, as well – get beautiful photos from the Full Blast Adventure Center’s rooftop patio, or strap in for an exhilarating 40-foot freefall from the center’s giant tower.

Get your whole family out on the rapids with this whitewater rafting trip down the Animas River in Durango. Spend two hours in the company of an adventure guide, paddling over Class I, II, and III rapids, suitable for novices and experts alike (including children). Shoot down the river and take in the scenery, coming away with a sense of accomplishment and a better understanding of Colorado's wilderness.

Spend some time high in the rarified air of the La Plata Mountains on this guided, 4-hour, small-group 4x4 tour. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure, then this open-vehicle excursion winds up and through La Plata Canyon for 14 rugged miles, reaching breathtaking views from Kennebec Pass at more than 12,000 feet. Along the way, learn about the canyon’s mining history, its native Ute people, the geology and the flora and fauna of the San Juan Mountains. Snacks are included on the trip.

Set out on an exciting adventure in Durango! Explore the city’s fascinating mining past, ride a historic train, and snap photos with colorful cowboy murals. Challenge yourself with fun questions, learn about the “River of Lost Souls,” and discover the roots of the original Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Take in the charm of Victorian architecture and dive into the lively food and craft beer scene. And be sure not to miss the Louis L’Amour room at the Strater Hotel!

Experience the thrill of inflatable kayaking on Durango’s Lower Animas River! This full day trip lasts 5 hours and 45 minutes round trip, with 4 hours and 15 minutes on the water. Navigate exciting Class II rapids and one exhilarating Class III rapid, including “Smelter,” “Santa Rita,” and “Sawmill,” with calmer stretches for scenery and relaxation. Lower water flows in late summer make the rapids even more exciting. No experience is needed—our expert guides provide gear, instruction, and local insights. Lunch is included, making this the perfect mix of adventure and fun.