Best Durango Colorado Vacations

Durango is one of the USA's Most Bike Friendly Communities

2012-05-23T15:09:43Z

Durango was one of the newest additions to "gold" status in the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Communities rankings. The program annually awards towns and cities with gold, silver or bronze status according to how well they promote cycling, provide infrastructure, enact pro-cycling policies and support related education programs.

Durango boasts 300 miles of mountain bike trails and a growing network of city bike lanes, and cycling is "integral to the town's culture and identity," the league said in a statement. And with the 2012 Pro Cycling Challenge coming up we're certain that Durango is deserving of this gold status.

Fourteen other communities claim BFC gold status. They include: Breckenridge, Colo.; Corvallis, Ore.; Eugene, Ore.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Jackson Teton County, Wyo.; Madison, Wis.; Minneapolis; Palo Alto, Calif.; San Francisco; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Seattle; Stanford University; Calif.; Steamboat Springs, Colo.; and Tucson.

The League of American Bicyclists maps all the bike-friendly towns on its website.

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Ghost Town Tours in Durango!

2012-05-22T15:45:33Z

Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours offer a two pretty great Ghost Town Tours if you're looking for something unique to do on your next Durango trip. The Ghost Towns are actually in Silverton so you have a beautiful drive over the mountain. Along the way you will see the grandiose peaks of Grizzly Peak, Engineer Mountain, Pigeon and Turret, Spud Hills, the Twilights, and Snowdon, all before even reaching Molas Pass! At Molas Pass, a large section of the San Juan Mountains can be seen followed by Molas Lake, a high-alpine lake set against the backdrop of the San Juan Mountains. Passing through the old Victorian mining town of Silverton, established in the early 1870’s, you will venture off road on old jeep trails heading northeast from Silverton through the old mining towns of Howardsville, Middleton and Eureka and climbing to 11,200 feet at Animas Forks.

Spectacular cascading waterfalls and snow-melt rivers cool the air as you climb in elevation. The drive is peppered with remnants of old mining claims and tailings piles. Animas Forks is one of the most preserved mining ghost towns in Colorado, with buildings still standing surrounded by high mountain peaks and rolling alpine meadows. Explore the old buildings and get a feel for an old mining ghost town just below tree line as your professional tour guide gives you an interpretive tour of Animas Forks! Travel higher into the mountains and into the alpine tundra where you'll view the summer wildflowers shining in a rainbow of colors, especially in mid to late summer. The vistas are unbelievable with spectacular creeks and waterfalls cascading down mountain sides in a spectacular display of Colorado splendor. Marmots, white-tailed deer, and elk herds may be seen as well as soaring hawks and eagles...or maybe even a bear or a lynx!

Ready to book your trip? Mild to Wild offers a Full Day Ghost Town Tour and a Mini Ghost Town Tour. The full day tour will meet at 8:15 AM, depart at 8:30 AM and return at 3:30 PM and the cost is $125 for adult and $99 for youth. The mini tour will meet at 10:00 AM, depart at 10:15 AM and return 1:15 PM. They have an additional afternoon tour that will meet at 2:00 PM depart at 2:15 PM and return at 5:15 PM and is $71 for adults and $57 for youth. Book Your Trip Today!!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Durango Blues Train

2012-05-14T16:51:00Z

The Durango Blues Train is back for its second year and the June 2nd event is already almost halfway sold out! The Durango Blues Train could be one of the coolest concepts that Durango has seen in a while. Beer, Blues, dancing all while riding the Durango train. You can take a seat in one coach, enjoy a beer while Erik Boa & the Constrictors play just feet from you, finish your beer and venture on to the next coach where another blues band or artist is playing. The Blues Train is definitely an experience that you're not going to
want to miss!

The Durango Blues Train will depart Durango at 5:45 with a line up of seven live blues acts, two full bands and five solo artists, each performing on their own stage, rather in their own coach. Along with Erik Boa & the Constrictors there will also be the Sugar Theives, Robbie Overfield, Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen, Alex Maryol, Donny Morales and Todd and the Fox performing on this year's Blues Train.

Don't wait! Get your tickets today!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Josh Abbott Band at Echo Basin Ranch

2012-05-11T17:07:09Z

Saturday June 2, Echo Basin Ranch presents The Josh Abbott Band with opening Bands DL Marble and Rockslide. The Josh Abbott Band is a chart climbing Texas country band who are sure to keep you on your feet and enjoying the night of country music! You can purchase your tickets online, advanced tickets for general seating are $20 and reserved seating are $35. Echo Basin Ranch also has plenty of accommodations for you to choose from. They have cabins, camping and an RV park available for their visitors which will provide the perfect weekend getaway. Dancing, country music, food and beverages in an unforgettable setting! You're not going to want to miss this concert! Start planning your trip today!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

World Beer Cup Awards Gold to Durango Brewers!

2012-05-10T19:43:41Z

Each year brewers from around the world compete for awards in the Internationally know World Beer Cup. There were an elite international panel of judges in the 2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup. Last Saturday the ninth biannual World Beer Cup held in San Diego recognized two Durango breweries for their exceptional brews. Steamworks Brewing Co. received a gold award for its Berliner Weisse brew. Additionally, Ska Brewery received a gold for its Steel Toe Stout at the World Beer Cup.

Ska's Steel Toe Stout also won The Great American Brew Festival, which was held in Denver last September. You can try the Steel Toe Stout on tap and it's available at all local liquor stores. The Berliner Weisse is said to have a “dry, citrus finish with a low hop profile,” and is currently aging with the expectation to offer it on tap at Steamworks sometime this summer.

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Durango Vacation Homes

2012-05-09T19:48:08Z

Looking for a new way to spend your time in Durango? Try experiencing Southwest Colorado by staying in a fabulous Durango, Colorado vacation home. The only way to vacation if you're truly looking to spend your time in a home away from home. In one of Durango's vacation homes you will feel as though you're staying at a friends house for the week and will be able to relax in a real home while on vacation. The best part is there are vacation homes available all throughout Durango! If you're looking to stay close to town or get out to Vallecito Lake there are plenty of vacation homes available for rent wherever you turn! Be sure to check out all the great vacation home options and if you're looking for some different lodging options on your next trip to Durango you'll know where to look!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Feature Friday - Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

2012-05-04T15:00:00Z

Today's Feature Friday is a Durango fan favorite, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad!

1. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of Durango's most popular attractions, how many visitors would you estimate ride the train each year?

Our 10 year average is about 154,000. Our special Licensed events (Day Out With Thomas, Peantus, Polar Express) carry over 24,000 guests in addition to the regular passenger trains!

2. The D&SNGRR also has so many events and specialty trains, what are your most popular events or train rides?

By far, the Polar Express is our most popular special event and it also runs the longest, from mid-November through the last week in December.

3. You also have a few package options, does the typical visitor purchase a regular ticket on the Durango train or purchase a combo package?

Most passengers book a train ticket with about 10% booking a package.

Book your train ride on the D&SNGRR today!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Vote Durango for Beer City 2012!

2012-05-03T15:59:49Z

Durango is in the final running for "Beer City USA 2012," hosted by Examiner.com. Durango locals, visitors and fans must be sure to cast your vote!! The Beer City competition was established by Charlie Papazian, author of The Complete Joy of Homebrewing and founder of the Great American Beer Festival, the American Homebrewers Association and the Association of Brewers. This competition showcases where craft beer has gone in the US and we all know that Durango's finest can compete with the best of them! There are a lot of cities on there so be sure to spread the word and get your friends voting for Durango!! You can cast your vote today by clicking on the Beer City link but you must vote before May 13 at midnight!

Feature Friday - The Rochester Hotel

2012-04-27T14:00:00Z

This week's Feature Friday is another new addition to Durango.com, a classic and favorite downtown hotel, the Rochester Hotel.

1. The Rochester Hotel is such a unique hotel to Downtown Durango, what are some of the most unique features about the hotel?

The Rochester Hotel features a few distinct characteristics that sets it apart from other Durango properties. The Hotel has a beautiful courtyard that blooms all summer long. Guests enjoy reading books, sharing wine with friends and outdoor music during the summer. It is truly a secret garden hidden in downtown Durango.

The hotel serves a full gourmet breakfast, a favorite part of many guests' stays, the locals even try to sneak in sometimes!

The Leland House used to be an apartment building and gives guests 3 room suites and smaller studios. The Rochester Hotel is themed after the 15 most popular Western films that were made in the Durango area. Great movie photos are collected outside each room with a written explanation of where the movie was filmed in the area.

2. The hotel is a member of the Green Hotels Association, tell me a little bit about that and what that means for the hotel?

We joined the GHA when it first started and have been dedicated to green practices since the current owners bought the hotel. We have an extensive recycle program, we do not allow any disposable silverware or dishware at events, we insist on using re-usable plates and glasses at all times. The hotel uses all low-flow water devices in the bathrooms, we take part in the green power program from our local electric company. Best of all we encourage guests, staff and even locals to take advantage of our cruiser bicycle fleet to get around downtown!

3. What are your guests favorite part about spending their trip to Durango at the Rochester Hotel?

Our guests continually rave about the gourmet breakfast, the fun cruiser bicycles and the great historic pictures that line all the walls.

4. What's your favorite way to spend a day in Durango?

Day in Durango - Hike the Telegraph Trail in the morning, go rafting on the Animas River in the afternoon, have cocktails in the Rochester Courtyard before dinner, dine at Cyprus Cafe.

5. What do you think is Durango's best kept secret?

The Rochester Hotel Courtyard, the best little place to relax in the middle of downtown.

Summer Camps from Wilderness Trails Ranch

2012-04-26T15:25:00Z

Wilderness Trails Ranch offers some pretty great summer camp options! Be sure to check them out if you're looking for something for the kids, for fellow cowgirls, or even just for adults, they have it all!

Wilderness Trails Ranch Youth Horse Camp 2012:

This is an all-inclusive, award winning youth program which includes: horseback riding and instruction, wonderful lunches, afternoon snack, pool parties, outdoor adventures, trout fishing, bonding with your horse, making new friends, horse care and more, all in a unique wilderness setting at our private ranch next to Vallecito Lake.

Dates: June 11-15, June 18-22, June 25-29, July 9-13, July 16-20, July 23-27, July 30-August 2, August 6-10, August 13-17

Wilderness Trails Ranch a leader in horseback riding adventures for over sixty years. Each week we limit the number of participants to 8 children. Parents, grandparents, family or friends are encouraged to join us for lunch on Friday prior to the "Kids Rodeo Roundup". Cost is $550 per child with transportation with pick up at 8:00 a.m. and drop off at 5:15 p.m. at Bread Bakery in Durango or at the intersection of county roads 501 & 240. Cost is $500 without transportation. A 50% deposit is required to confirm the space with balance due 2 weeks prior.

Call or email Sandy@wildernesstrails.com or 970.247.0722 to book your child's summer adventure today! Visit ww.wildernesstrails.com

Cowgirl Camp - August 26 - September 1

Ladies if you are looking for the ultimate week of adventure and well-earned relaxation, this week is calling you!

Choose from a wide range of hands-on, well-instructed activities such as: Saddling and bridling your horse, cattle work and arena games, roping and lasso lessons, harnessing and driving a team of draft horses (amazing big boys!), learning to pack a horse for a back-country adventures, learn and practice natural horsemanship (a whole new world of horse talk!) and ncredible all day rides in the Weminuche Wilderness.

Then indulge in pure relaxation from a menu of delicious options: Amazing meals from gourmet to a steak cookout at the Chuck Wagon, vegetarian options plentiful, daily social happy hour with delicious appetizers featuring regional cuisine, wine pairing and Local SKA Brewery Beer Tasting, Dutch Oven/Campfire Cooking class by our Executive Chef, a night of local Honky Tonk at Vallecito lake (for any gals who have the extra energy), shopping trip in downtown Durango (one of the top 10 western towns in the USA), swimming in our heated pool, soaking in the sun or in the hot tub, Musical Evening Entertainment, Thursday night candlelight gourmet dinner and dance, Margarita Cruise on Vallecito Lake, evening campfires, stories, cowboy poets and stargazing, Free Fly Fishing demonstration by our resident angler, Fishing - stocked trout ponds or guide available upon request, Private Beautiful Mountain Location, Dance Lessons, Roping Lessons, Spa and Massage Service upon request, Morning Yoga/stretch classes, Boats, Bikes and more adventures available for those that don’t want to ride all day, Wine Pairing with our favorite local chocholater

$2195.00 per cowgirl, no single supplement change (limited to 25 women)

Family Weeks:

The ranch offers all inclusive week long ranch vacations specifically designed for families from June 10th through August 25th. Let you family enjoy a private western vacation learning about our humble American beginnings how "Cowboys" the first stewards of the land are still the primary stewards of our lands.
Cost: $2495 per adult, $1995 per youth (ages 6-17) & $1650 per child (ages 3-5) Under 3 = free (no youth program provided-babysitting arranged)

Adults Only Weeks:

May 27th - June 9th and September 2nd through September 29th, 2012 Cost: $2195/per adult

Enjoy the mountain in spring or while fall colors slowly meander down our valley. Singles, couples, parents who need a break, this is your time. No phone, no TV, no meetings, no worries! This is limited to only 25 guests per week so you can take time to relax and encounter the wilderness. Survey the solitude and serenity of a Rocky Mountain night sky. You may never experience so many stars again!

What is an all inclusive Ranch Vacation?
At Wilderness Trails Ranch - rates include cozy cabin accommodations, phenomenal meals from gourmet to ranch fare, spectacular mountain horseback riding, hiking, biking, Cattle 101, water sports at Vallecito lake such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and kayaking, gold medal fishing & on ranch fishing in our Rainbow Trout stocked ponds, nightly entertainment, and more! WE DO NOT ADD OR ASK FOR GRATUITY! A true, all-inclusive vacation is unique to Wilderness Trails Ranch - other ranches will ask for/expect up to 20%!

**The only additional (yet nominal) charges are optional: Trading Post (our gift shop), Waterin' Hole (bar), Boots & Chap Rentals, Massage/Spa Services, Private/Guided Fishing or Private Natural Horsemanship lessons, and/or other "off ranch" Activities such as Whitewater Rafting, Tree-top Zipline, Paintball, and Golf.

New from WTR:
* We are excited to have Thomas ZRocke share his horsemanship experience and knowledge with us.
* Take advantage of our FREE Round trip transfers to/from the Durango (DRO) airport to the ranch. - Offer vailid through May 2012.

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Durango Kentucky Derby!

2012-04-24T19:17:36Z

Join us for the 2nd Annual Durango Kentucky Derby! This is a Fundraiser for the Durango Arts Center and will be held in the Rochester Hotel Courtyard from 2 - 5 pm on Saturday, May 5. Come watch the 138th Kentucky Derby at 4:24 p.m. you can also join in on all the Derby fun! There will be a Derby hat and suit contest, mint juleps and a silent auction of painting by Colorado artist Nicole Finger. The event is $65 for DAC members and $75 for all non-members. This will include two drink tickets, prizes and hors d'oeuvres catered by Mutu's Italian Kitchen.

You can get tickets through the Durango Arts Center at 259-2606 or the Rochester Hotel at 385-1920.

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Durango Named one of the 20 Best Small Towns in America

2012-04-20T18:07:20Z

The Smithsonian.com recenty wrote an article about the top 20 best small towns in America. They said that there are plenty of lists on the best places to get a job, retire, golf, ski and many more but the quality they wanted to see was culture. Cities with culture are the places that are worth traveling. These top 20 towns have high concentrations of museums, historic sites, art galleries and other cultural assets and all have populations of less than 25,000. They said, "There is, we think, something encouraging about finding culture in small-town America. Fabled overseas locales, world-class metropolises—you expect to be inspired when you go there. But to have your horizon shifted in a town of 6,000 by an unheralded gem of a painting or a song belted out from a band shell on a starry summer night, that’s special. It reinforces the truth that big cities and grand institutions per se don’t produce creative works; individuals do. And being reminded of that is fun."

We just really loved this about the article and will definitely agree that Durango has something special about it that only the Durango locals and those who love to visit can see. The individuals here are what makes us special! Straight out of the Smithsonian artcile check out what they had to say about Durango:

"It would be a bald-faced lie to say that Durango (pop. 16,900) isn’t devoted above all to outdoor recreation, from mountain biking and black-diamond downhill skiing to Iron-man triathlons, white-water kayaking and rock climbing. But between adventures in the surrounding San Juan Mountains, people celebrate life Western-style in the old railroad and mining town’s lamppost-lined historic district, among art installations along the Animas River greenway, and at the nearby Music in the Mountains festival come July (heavy on the classical offerings, but a bit of pop, too), the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall, and the Henry Strater Theatre, a.k.a. the “Hank,” a showcase for vintage melodrama and vaudeville. Best of all, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, opened in 1882 and now a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, still carries passengers 45 miles into the heart of the high San Juans, pulled by a coal-fired, steam-driven locomotive, with the occasional bluegrass band or cowboy poet onboard for entertainment."

Continue reading the article and see who else made the cut! You may want to start planning your next vacation!!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Feature Friday - Full Blast Adventures

2012-04-20T14:00:00Z

Today's Feature Friday is a new recent addition to the Durango.com Things to Do page, Full Blast Adventure Center! Ziplining in Durango is such a cool and fun activity to experience you must put it on your Durango vacation list! Cameron, the owner of Full Blast has answered today's Feature Friday questions.

1. Full Blast is truly an adventure center with so many fun options! What is your most popular service?

Our zip line canopy tour is definetely our most popular adventure and the highlight of anyone's vacation. We are about building memories of a lifetime, and it happens every single day!

2. You have several different options for ziplining, The Ponderosa, the Ponderosa Grande and the Night Flight, which of these are your most popular and why?

Our Ponderosa is our most popular tour but watch out, because the Grande is a continuation of the Ponderosa and the lines are longer and faster. Everyone has the choice to keep going and most do as they have built up their confidence and are ready to take zip lining to the next level! Also, if you want the ultimate adventure, our night flight, which starts at Sunset is amazing. Everyone is equiped with glowing bracelets and headlamps. Yes, it is an Adventure under the Stars!!!

3. Full Blast is adding a new feature this season, tell me a little about Slacklining?

Slacklining is act of balancing on a narrow peice of webbing similar to walking on a tight rope but at Full Blast, they are only two feet off the ground. Our slackline park has 26 lines and provides nonstop fun for people of all ages.

4. What is your favorite way to spend a day in Durango?

I love to Hang Glide. We live in a magical paradise and there is nothing like flying through the sky at cloud base joining the hawks and eagles in their own world. in my opinion, there is no better way to see this beautiful land than to fly above it!

5. What do you think is Durango's best kept secret?

La Plata Canyon.... There is no place like it in the world! But don't tell anyone.... lol.

Book your Durango Ziplining trip with Full Blast Adventures today! Haven't started planning your summer trip to Durango yet? Get started today!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Historic Strater Turns 125 Years Old

2012-04-16T17:06:23Z

Durango’s historic Strater Hotel is celebrating its 125^th birthday this year! Throughout the year, the Strater Hotel will enjoy a variety of activities, celebrations, and events. Kicking off its birthday is the annual Strater Hotel Open House scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. – the Open House will coincide with a special Room Dedication Project where a variety of the hotel’s guest rooms will be unveiled through unique history room and hotel tours. Strater Hotel General Manager, Michelle Thom, said a lot of time and thought has gone into specially dedicating select rooms that will each receive a plaque and history dossier.

“It is no accident that this year the 125^th Birthday of the Strater is also the inaugural year of the rooms dedication project,” said Mrs. Thom. “The room dedication project is something that owner Rod Barker has wanted to do for some time. This year we will unveil close to ten rooms dedicated to those people or entities that have helped change the face of Durango, and helped make the Strater what it is today. We have dozens of nominees and are reviewing, interviewing, and compiling the best historical past and present recipients that we can. We look forward to unveiling the first recipients at this year’s annual Open House.”

Additional Offerings

At the end of the room tours, guests will be given a ticket for a complimentary drink, dessert bar, and cheese and fruit buffet. Also scheduled but not limited to:

Strater Hotel drawing for a one-night stay and Mahogany Grille gift certificate
Complimentary carriage rides by San Juan Outfitters during Open House, Thursday, August 19, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Fashion show of historical clothing at 7:00 p.m. in the Henry Strater Theatre following Open House; a $5.00 donation to benefit Animas Museum suggested
Mahogany Grille, Diamond Belle Saloon, and The Office Spiritorium will be open regular hours during Open House
Birthday Room package, complete with Strater Commemorative 125th Birthday wine, copy of The Strater Hotel Story book, Strater Hotel History Tour, and a $100 dinner credit for our award-winning Mahogany Grille.

The Knight Sky Coming to Durango

2012-04-11T19:54:18Z

The Knight Sky is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad's newest open air observation gondola. It weighs 29,000 pounds, holds 30 people and has taken almost a year to build!

The Knight Sky was built with 20th century technology and will be the first time a car on Durango's narrow gauge tracks will use roller-bearing trucks, the wheel pairs on the railcar. The railcar's consturuction was contracted by Denny and Judy Beggrow of Soaring Tree Top Adventures and D&SNG will operate with 15 seats dedicated to the railroad and the other 15 to Soaring to take customers to the Soaring Treetop Adventures resort.

The Knight Sky will join the railroad's other deluxe and first class railcars, the Legacy and the Legend which take visitors to Soaring Tree Top Adventures. The new car is expected to be on display during D&SNG's Narrow Gauge Day at the depot on May 4.

Four Corners Bike Rally

2012-04-09T19:59:14Z

The Four Corners Bike Rally will be back Labor Day weekend in 2012! You can join us for 4 days fun events, loads of bikes and happy bikers August 31 - September 3, 2012! Each Labor Day weekend, bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts from around the country ride into the Four Corners to enjoy the biggest and best biker rally in the Southwest! While there are plenty of great events to enjoy the main attraction is some of the best motorcycle riding in the country with magnificent high mountain curves to high desert open highway. Although there are a lot of events happening all over the four corners one of the main events is right here in Durango! The Durango Motorcycle Parade rumbles the streets of downtown as hundreds of bikers off their rides through History Downtown Durango. Be sure to check out all the other fun events, concerts, bike shows and crazy contests that will be happening all weekend long! Can't miss this fun event? Book your trip early for the best prices! We've got all the great Durango lodging ready for you to get started! Start planning your trip today!

Current News, Information, Fun Things To Do, Accommodations, Ski Packages, Weddings, Family Reunions Or Simply An Amazing Vacation In The Southwest Colorado Mountains ~ Durango.com Is Your Resource Covering Durango, San Juan Mountain and The Four Corners Area!

Vote Durango for the Best of the Road!

2012-04-06T20:49:42Z

Vote for Durango in Rand McNally, USA TODAY search for 'Best of the Road'. Your vote could put Durango at the top in the Rand McNally Road Atlas as the "Best of the Road" --a top small town in America. This would put DURANGO in the 2014 Rand McNally Road Atlas, on RandMcNally.com and USA TODAY Travel! Such an awesome opportunity for Durango! Please take a moment to vote for Durango, post a photo and/or make a comment.

2012 USA Pro Cycling Official Route Announced

2012-04-04T20:38:58Z

It was announced back in December that the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge would begin in Durango and while we were excited then, we're even more excited today since the official race route has been announced. Since the race will start in Durango the Durango to Telluride leg of the race is called Stage 1 and will be the opening day race! The official route was released by the organizers today and here is the Stage 1 description.

Stage 1: Durango to Telluride – Monday, Aug. 20

This year’s Grand Depart will begin with a unique start of two neutral laps through downtown, followed by a larger 6.5-mile racing loop that encompasses most of town and then heads back through downtown for the first Sprint Line of 2012. A few bumpy feet of road as the racers cross the tracks of Durango’s famous Narrow Gauge Railroad will send the riders on their way out of town toward Telluride. On the ride out of LaPlata County the racers will have to tackle the Hesperus Climb on US 160. After a challenging, rolling ride across the high windswept plains and the second Sprint Line in the town of Dolores, the riders start a gradual canyon climb that lasts more than 30 miles. Topping out over Lizard Head Pass at 10,222 ft., any time gaps gained going up must be maintained on the 15-mile descent into Telluride. A tight and technical finish awaits the riders in the small, scenic town and they must navigate a small round-about and four turns in the last mile before sprinting to the finish line.

If you're going to be in or around Durango on August 20 we highly suggest you check out the start of America's Toughest Race!

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Guest Blogger

2012-03-30T20:36:13Z

We want YOU to be a part of the Durango.com blog! If you're training for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic here in Durango we're looking for a guest blogger to post regularly about their training and about race weekend! It doesn't have to be anything fancy but we would love to share an insider's perspective on the race, on training and how tough this race really is! If you're interested please email Katie@Durango.com and we can get you all set up! We really hope to find an awesome guest blogger for this year's Iron Horse Bicycle Classic!!

Be Bear Aware

2012-03-29T16:24:21Z

With the weather warming up in Colorado it's bringing some of the black bears out of hibernation early this year. The temperatures are rising up to the 70s in some areas of Colorado and the bears are beginning to emerge from their dens. Sightings have already been reported in Colorado Springs, Aspen, Durango and Summit County.

So far all the black bear reports have only been sightings but Colorado Parks and Wildlife want to remind people that trash is the number one bear attractant. We must remember to do our part by following just a few simple rules at home.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife's steps in avoiding attracting bears are as follows:

Obey local trash ordinances. In areas without trash ordinances, put trash out only on the morning of pickup instead of the night before pickup.
Take down birdfeeders during the spring and summer. Once winter ends, birds have many natural food options. Attract birds naturally with flowers and bird baths.
Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in sheds or garages.
Feed pets indoors
Keep doors and windows to your home closed and locked, especially when no one is home. Garage doors and side doors that are left open for pets are not only an open invitation to thieves they're also an open door for bears to enter homes.
Lock car doors and don't store food in your vehicle.

Remember that it is important to your safety as well as the bear's safety. Bears are a great part of our Colorado wildlife and mary are being put down beacause they are getting too comfortable around people and become an danger. Colorado is home to an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 black bears. More info about living with Colorado's black bears can be found at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.