Recommended Day Trips near Durango, CO

Vallecito Resort makes a convenient base camp for visiting many wonderful Southwest Colorado attractions. Here are just a few of the exciting day trips that we recommend.

For more ideas, be sure to drop by our office or visit the Durango Tourism Office

Downtown Durango

Victorian era Downtown Durango is a Nationally Registered Historic District and home to award winning restaurants, relaxed brewpubs, art galleries, museums, and unique shops. After a morning of browsing, take a stroll along the Animas River Trail that winds through downtown and listen for the whistle of the Durango & Silverton Train.

Durango & Silverton Train

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the Southwest’s major attractions. Originally constructed in 1881 to haul silver and gold ore from the San Juan Mountains, passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious. Riding one of its vintage steam-powered trains is a popular way to take in the changing fall colors and explore the historic mining town of Silverton.

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde, protects over 600 cliff dwellings, built by the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home from 600 to 1300 AD. These archeological sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. Some sites can only be visited by taking a ranger-led tour and tickets need to be purchased in advance, so be sure to plan ahead.

Aztec Ruins

Taking over 200 years to complete, Aztec Ruins near Farmington, New Mexico is the largest Ancestral Pueblo community in the Animas River Valley. The construction at Aztec shows a strong influence from Chaco Canyon. A remarkable variety of artifacts on display, such as stone and wood tools, cotton and feather clothing, fiber sandals, pottery, and jewelry, reveal the use of local resources and regional trade.