Top Durango How to Get Around

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.

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.

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.

Float down the Lower Animas River on this family-friendly rafting trip in Durango. As you glide over the rapids with a guide, you can enjoy views of Durango from the water and take in the natural beauty south of town. Stop on the riverside for a snack, and listen to stories about the history and traditions of the region. This is a mild rafting option for ages 4 years and up. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour of the Million Dollar Highway and take in the rugged beauty of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. This breathtaking stretch of Route 550 between Durango and Ouray is packed with spectacular mountain vistas, charming mining towns and countless scenic viewpoints, including Bakers Bridge, Haviland Lake, Crystal Lake, and Bear Creek Falls.. Along the way, hear stories of gold rush history, engineering marvels and iconic alpine landscapes as you travel one of America’s most scenic drives. 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Not all rafting trips have to take up your entire day—this tour from Durango gets you on the water and back out with time to enjoy another adventure before the sun goes down. You'll spend one hour on the Animas River navigating the Class II and Class III rapids with a rafting guide.

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.

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!

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.

Visit Mesa Verde National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—on a tour from Durango. You'll have the chance to see the park's ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and learn about the history of the region. Lunch is included to make this an easy day trip for you and your friends or family.

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 half day trip lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes round trip, with 2 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— the expert guides will provide gear, instruction, and local insights.