One Week In Durango--What To Do

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’ve parasitically found some good travel tips on this board because other people happen to go to places where I’m headed.

I’m going to drive over to Durango, Colorado for a week in September. Please suggest some things for my wife and I to do that aren’t on the obvious list. In other words, yes, I do know about the Durango-Silverton railroad, have considered a whitewater raft trip*, been to Mesa Verde, etc.

We both like to hike and be outdoors. Museums are ok, but we usually find those on our own. We will have a car (not a 4x4). What should we see/do while we’re in the area of southwestern Colorado? What day hikes (backpacking or multi-day experiences won’t fit into the schedule) are not-to-be-missed?

TIA (of course).

*= I contacted a couple rafting companies. They think the water levels will be too low by then. I’d be happy to hear anyone’s experience with a particular outfitter, though, in the event this is a possibility when we get there.

2

Where are you from, and which way are you coming in? You really ought to drive the entire route between Durango and Ouray. Stunning scenery the whole way, but the last few miles just south of Ouray are truly mind-blowing - or terrifying, if you’re acrophobic.

Check out the jail in Silverton along the way.

3

I’ll be coming in from Cortez, after leaving Arizona (and with the typical stop at 4 Corners.) I expect to be doing a lot of driving on the Million Dollar Highway and digitizing many sights along the way.

But I don’t want the whole week to be driving. I’d like to park once in a while and see things.

As to checking out the jail, are you inciting criminal disobedience? Will you bail me out? :slight_smile: