Durango, CO Summary

photo by gusto

DURANGO is the largest town in southwest Colorado and the best hub for exploring the Four Corners region. Founded in 1880 as a refining town and rail junction for Silverton, 45 miles north, steam trains continue to run along the spectacular old mining route through the Animas Valley, though nowadays tourists, not sacks of gold, are the money-making cargo. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad runs up to four round-trips daily between May and October, from a depot at 479 Main Ave at the south end of town (all leave in early morning; $55 round-trip; reserve tickets at least two weeks in advance; tel 970/247-2733). Shorter excursions, covering the most scenic areas of the route, run between late November and early May (daily 10am; $45).