Situated in scenic Southwestern Colorado, the city of Durango is a fantastic destination for vacation seekers year-round. In every season, Durango has much to offer travelers in the way of gorgeous views, outdoor adventures, and in-town entertainment alike. Those who choose to travel to Durango in the fall are particularly lucky to enjoy colorful surroundings as the local aspens transition from green to bold shades of gold. When you’re hoping to enjoy a trip that comes complete with comfortable temperatures and plenty of options for customizing your itinerary, a fall journey to Durango is always the right choice.
Admire Fall Foliage from Your Place on a Historic Train
Fall in Durango is a fantastic time for sightseeing, especially when you’re looking forward to admiring the colorful local foliage. A unique and unforgettable route to relishing the scenery this fall is to book your place on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This historic steam engine takes you through more remote areas of the San Juan National Forest and is a family-friendly option to add to your autumn to-do list. There are opportunities to enjoy the terrain from a closed or open-air train car upon request and as you travel, you’ll enjoy knowing you’re experiencing an important part of American mining history along the way.
Indulge in a Creative Moment or Two
When a little creativity would go a long way toward your fall vacation fun, a stop at the Durango Arts Center while you’re in town is a must. Located at 802 E. 2nd Avenue, the Durango Arts Center is a premier hub of local art where you can browse incredible works on display, or even sign up for a class and put your own skills to the test. Some of the class offerings hosted this time of year include everything from jewelry making and botanical ink drawing to figure drawing, watercolor, landscape instruction with wine, and stained glass classes as well. If your Durango-bound getaway has you visiting between September 21 and 22, you’ll be right on time to enjoy the annual Durango Autumn Arts Festival presented by the Durango Arts Center too! This fan-favorite festival runs from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm daily and is a celebration of all things fine arts and fine crafts at the hands of makers from across Durango and the country.
Enjoy a Tour of Ancient Cliff Dwellings
Yet another great fall activity to add to your itinerary when you’re putting a firm focus on history is time enjoyed touring nearby Mesa Verde National Park. This captivating destination was once home to Ancestral Pueblo people and today, visitors can admire incredible cliff dwellings that were used to house several families and worked as crop storage sites too. There are opportunities to take a self-guided tour on foot or by car, but with beautiful fall weather on your side, you’ll likely prefer to book your place on a ranger-led tour and make the most of the fresh air and insightful information you’ll receive along the way.
Explore the High Country on a Mountain Bike
Durango has long been viewed as a mecca for mountain biking and in the fall, the cooler temperatures mean you can get out and explore on two wheels for even longer. You’ll be in town before the snow falls, giving you ample time to take to the high country trails and put your skills to work. High country in Durango typically refers to terrain north of Purgatory Resort off Highway 550. If you’re looking for a particularly scenic route to enjoy that’s challenging and beautiful alike, don’t miss out on the Colorado Trail with the section near Molas Pass offering up amazing vistas out and over the San Juna Mountains.
Relax in a Local Hot Springs
After all of your outdoor adventures this fall, make sure your Durango fall journey includes some well-deserved time soaking and restoring in the always 90-degree Durango Hot Springs. The waters here were used by the Ute tribe long ago and today, many still believe they possess rejuvenating abilities. In total, the hot springs host more than 20 minerals, and whether you soak in the pools or the private tubs, you’re sure to reap the benefits.
Book Your Durango Fall Journey in Style Today
When an adventurous fall getaway is calling you to the city of Durango, the team at Durango Colorado Vacations is here to make sure you have incredible accommodations to match. Reach out today to learn more about our versatile and inviting cabins near Durango, CO that not only keep you close to the places you can’t wait to explore, but provide you with easy access to incredible amenities, features, and furnishings as well. We can’t wait to help you make more of every single moment you’re in Colorado and look forward to welcoming you to scenic Durango soon!
