The Durango Summer Bucket List: 15 Things You Can't Miss
Summer in Durango is stacked. There's almost too much to do, which is the best kind of problem. From whitewater rafting to alpine hiking to brewery hopping, the town and surrounding mountains offer enough variety to fill weeks. Here are fifteen things that belong on every visitor's list.
This isn't an exhaustive inventory — Durango has far more than fifteen worthwhile activities. Consider this a curated starting point that hits the essentials: water, trails, mountain experiences, food, and day trips. If you knock out half of these, you've had a solid trip. If you hit all fifteen, you've earned your Durango credentials.
On the Water
1. The Animas River runs right through town, and getting on it is essential. Book a half-day raft trip with a local outfitter for some whitewater action. The section from Trimble to town offers Class II-III rapids — exciting without being terrifying, accessible for families and first-timers. Outfitters like Mild to Wild and Mountain Waters Rafting run daily trips.
Alternatively, rent a tube and float the mellow section through town. The section from Santa Rita Park to Dallabetta Park is calm, scenic, and perfect for a lazy afternoon. You'll drift past parks, under bridges, and through the heart of Durango's riverfront. Tubing is cheap, easy, and quintessentially summer.
2. Stand-up paddleboarding on Vallecito Lake is another must — crystal clear water, mountain views, and almost no crowds if you go midweek. Vallecito Marina rents boards, kayaks, and canoes. The lake is about 30 minutes from town, and the setting is spectacular — surrounded by forested hills and the San Juan Mountains.
On the Trails
3. Hike Purgatory Flats Trail for an easy creekside walk the whole family can handle. The trail follows Cascade Creek through meadows and aspen groves, gaining minimal elevation. It's accessible from the Purgatory Resort area and offers a gentle introduction to the high country.
4. For something bigger, the Colorado Trail segment from Molas Pass is world-class high-alpine hiking. The trailhead sits at over 10,900 feet on US-550 between Purgatory and Silverton. The trail traverses alpine tundra with panoramic views of the San Juans. You can hike as far as you want and turn around — even a few miles out and back delivers stunning scenery.
5. Animas Mountain is right in town and gives you a solid workout with great views of Durango below. The trail climbs about 1,300 feet over roughly 3 miles to the summit ridge, passing through scrub oak, piñon, and juniper. It's a local favorite for evening hikes and sunrise missions. The views from the top extend across the Animas Valley to the La Plata Mountains.
6. Junction Creek Trail offers a longer, more moderate hike with consistent shade and creek access. The trail follows Junction Creek up a scenic canyon west of Durango. It's popular with mountain bikers, but hikers have plenty of space. You can hike a few miles in and return, or connect to higher trails for an all-day adventure.
On the Mountain
7. Ride the chairlift at Purgatory for panoramic views without the effort. The scenic lift ride takes you to the mid-mountain elevation, where you can hike, have lunch at the lodge, or just soak in the views. It's a great option for non-hikers or families with young kids.
8. Hit the alpine slide for a fun, slightly ridiculous descent. The slide is essentially a concrete bobsled track — you control your speed with a hand brake as you zip downhill. Kids love it. Adults secretly love it too.
9. Rent a mountain bike and ride the lift-served trails. Purgatory's bike park offers trails for every level, from mellow greens to gnarly double blacks. If you're new to mountain biking, start with the green and blue trails — they're fun, flowy, and confidence-building. More experienced riders can session the jump lines and technical features on the black runs.
In Town
10. Walk Main Avenue and pop into the local shops and galleries. Durango's downtown is walkable, vibrant, and packed with independent businesses. You'll find gear shops, art galleries, bookstores, coffee roasters, and a surprising amount of quality retail. It's a good way to spend an afternoon, especially if the weather turns.
11. Catch the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride to Silverton. This coal-fired steam locomotive has been running since 1882, and the ride through the Animas Canyon is spectacular. The train departs from downtown Durango and takes about 3.5 hours each way. You get a couple hours in Silverton before the return trip. Book well in advance — summer weekends sell out.
12. Hit the Saturday Durango Farmers Market for local produce, crafts, and people-watching. The market runs from early May through late October on Saturdays from 8 AM to noon at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad parking lot. You'll find fresh vegetables, baked goods, local honey, artisan crafts, and live music. It's a Durango institution.
For the Taste Buds
13. Work your way through Durango's breweries — Ska Brewing, Steamworks, and Animas Brewing are all within walking distance downtown. Ska Brewing has been brewing in Durango since 1995 and offers a huge selection of IPAs, lagers, and seasonal brews at their Bodo Industrial Park tasting room. Steamworks Brewing Company on 2nd Avenue combines great beer with a full restaurant menu. Animas Brewing on Main Avenue has a smaller, more intimate taproom vibe.
Do a brewery crawl — hit all three in an afternoon, sample flights, compare notes. It's a quintessential Durango experience.
14. Grab dinner at the Ore House for steak or East by Southwest for sushi. The Ore House has been Durango's steakhouse since 1972 — dark wood, warm lighting, and excellent cuts of beef. It's the spot for a celebratory dinner. East by Southwest, led by Chef Sergio Verduzco, serves a fusion of Japanese and contemporary flavors with creative sushi rolls and inventive small plates. It's surprisingly good for a mountain town.
15. End with ice cream on Main Avenue. Durango has several ice cream shops downtown — pick one, get a cone, walk the street, and soak in the summer evening vibe. It's a simple pleasure that caps a day perfectly.
Day Trips
Mesa Verde National Park is about an hour west and offers a chance to explore ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings. The park requires a bit of planning — some cliff dwelling tours require advance reservations — but it's worth the effort.
Drive the Million Dollar Highway (US-550) north to Ouray. This is one of the most scenic drives in Colorado, winding through the San Juan Mountains with dramatic cliff-side sections and alpine views. Ouray itself is a charming town with hot springs, hiking, and restaurants.
Spend an afternoon at Vallecito Lake or Lemon Reservoir. Both are within 30-40 minutes of Durango and offer swimming, paddling, fishing, and picnicking in beautiful settings.
Base Camp
Our townhome Basecamp sleeps eight, has a hot tub and pool table, and is right across from Purgatory. While summer is the off-season at the resort, it's prime time for exploring Durango and the surrounding mountains. Use the townhome as a base — day trips to Mesa Verde, hikes in the San Juans, rafting on the Animas, brewery crawls in town.
After a full day of summer adventures, that hot tub hits different. And the location puts you within 25 minutes of downtown Durango and easy access to every trailhead and lake mentioned on this list.
Planning a trip to Purgatory? Check availability at purgatoryunlocked.com
Planning a trip to Purgatory? Check availability and book direct — save 10-15% vs Airbnb/VRBO.