Blink once on Main Avenue and you could miss them—the mule deer moving through painted aspens, the wolves howling in Colorado colors, the giant “Durango” letters stacked with skis and kayaks. Downtown’s brick walls have turned into a living gallery, and you, lucky guest of Junction West Durango Riverside Resort, are less than a cup-of-coffee ride away.
This post hands you the exact route, parking tips, stroller notes, and sunrise photo angles you’ll need to turn a free afternoon into a vibrant art hunt—whether you’re planning a quick date, a kid-friendly lesson in color theory, or a camera sprint between trailheads. Ready to find the hidden murals before everyone else does? Let’s map your walk.
Key Takeaways
– Start at Junction West Durango Riverside Resort; a smooth, flat trail links straight to downtown
– Three easy travel choices: bike (≈45 min), Road Runner bus (low cost), or park once downtown before 10 a.m.
– The main mural loop is about 4 miles and safe for walkers, kids, and strollers
– Art highlights: bronze “Whinny and Friends,” Buckley Park sculptures, huge “Durango” letters, rainbow wolf walls, and shifting aspen-deer mural
– Best photo light: 30 min after sunrise or before sunset; north-facing walls stay even-lit midday
– Kid fun: scavenger hunts, chalk doodles, and snack breaks on benches or park lawns
– Respect the outdoor gallery: keep bikes off paint, watch for “Wet Paint” signs, credit artists with #DurangoMurals
The bullets above act as your pocket checklist—skim them before lacing shoes or scanning scooter apps so every member of the crew knows the plan. They condense the route, transit, and etiquette details that follow, giving couples, families, backpackers, retirees, and photo squads a shared starting point.
With the essentials locked in, dive deeper below for turn-by-turn directions, artist backstories, lighting hacks, and kid-tested boredom busters designed to keep your half-day mural mission smooth and memory-rich.
From Riverfront Calm to Colorful Core
The resort’s perch on the Animas River Trail links mountain quiet to downtown color in a single, scenic ribbon. Rolling beside cottonwoods and steady water, the paved path stretches 7–8 miles to Main Avenue, a distance most riders cover in about forty-five relaxed minutes. Couples coasting on e-bikes appreciate the gentle grade, while families towing child trailers enjoy curb-free cruising all the way to the depot platforms.
Guests who prefer four wheels or a shaded seat can catch the Road Runner Transit bus at the resort entrance. The ride costs less than a latte and drops passengers at the Transit Center two blocks from the first sculptures, eliminating parking stress entirely. Drivers who favor their own timetable should aim for metered 2nd Avenue or the free all-day lot at 10th & Camino del Rio, arriving before ten a.m. to capture spots and open photo angles.
Pedal, Ride, or Park: Pick Your Path
Biking offers the fastest door-to-mural launch. The lobby kiosk lists local rental shops, helmet requirements, and e-bike rules, plus a QR code for the Durango Creative District map. Early riders enjoy calm river reflections and warm pastries downtown before crowds wake, making the combo ideal for Instagram-savvy couples chasing brunch and bold color.
Bus riders trade handlebars for hassle-free sightseeing. The Transit Center’s clean restrooms, stroller-friendly ramps, and proximity to Joyce Parkerson’s bronze “Whinny and Friends” herd create a natural first stop for families and retirees alike. Motorists who park once and walk reap alley discoveries—tiny trout, abstract doorways, and tucked-away deer—that would blur past a windshield.
Your Four-Mile Downtown Mural Loop
Begin at the steam-whistle soundtrack of the Durango & Silverton Depot, where “Whinny and Friends” trots near station doors, tails frozen mid-swish. Kids count hoofprints while photographers frame locomotives and bronze in one shot. Heading north, Buckley Park’s picnic-perfect lawn spotlights Glenna Goodacre’s graceful “The Basket Dance” and Allan Houser’s “My Children,” inviting a snack break under tall shade.
Two blocks east, Elizabeth MacQueen’s whimsical “Puck” grins on 2nd Avenue, daring visitors to quote Shakespeare. Around the corner, Judy Baca’s 25-foot “La Memoria De Nuestra Tierra” stretches across brick in saturated blues and reds; step back and angle slightly to dodge glare, or use a smartphone polarizer for pro-level clarity. Nearer Ninth, Ben Rogers’ 2024 “Cervidae Family” mural shifts aspens from summer greens to winter whites as mule deer, elk, and moose migrate across seasons (project overview).
Roll or scoot 1.5 miles up North Main to the postcard-style “Durango” letters at 2607 Main, each block crammed with skis, kayaks, and alpine glow. Half a mile farther, twin wolf murals channel conservation spirit—Parker Ledford’s rainbow howl meets Ashley Church’s tender mother-pup scene (wolf mural story). Turn back here or extend to Santa Rita Park’s steel “Parade Formation” herd for a riverside finale before coasting home along the Animas.
Keep Every Age Engaged
Transform the walk into a scavenger hunt by challenging young explorers to find three animals, two outdoor-gear images, and one historic figure tucked in paint. Sketch pads turn waiting time into impromptu art class, letting grandparents rest on benches while kids trace bright outlines of wolves or deer. Reward completed checklists with a small sticker from the convenience store to keep motivation high.
Snack breaks double as color-theory chats. Buckley Park’s open grass welcomes tumbling toddlers and iced-tea-sipping adults, while Main Avenue ice-cream shops supply quick sugar boosts. Pack reusable chalk for designated public-art zones so everyone can leave temporary marks that rinse away with the next rain, reinforcing the idea that creativity is a shared, ever-changing canvas.
Shoot, Tag, and Respect the Canvas
Golden hour, roughly thirty minutes after sunrise or before sunset, drenches walls in rich oranges and golds, perfect for the wolves’ deep reds and the postcard’s turquoise letters. North-facing murals such as “La Memoria” hold even shade midday, offering balanced shots for visitors who prefer late lunches over early alarms. A simple phone tripod tucked in a backpack keeps hands free for steering bikes between stops.
Treat every wall as an open-air gallery: no bike-leaning, no prolonged sidewalk blockages, and always scan for fresh-paint signs. When you post, credit the artist and tag #DurangoMurals or #DurangoCreativeDistrict; the volunteer team behind the crowd-sourced public-art map uses those hashtags to log new work, ensuring future visitors find the same color you did.
When the last shutter clicks and your phone is packed with vivid shots, trade alley art for riverfront glow—marshmallows toasting, Animas water whispering, and stars bright enough to rival any mural. Make the full picture perfect: coast back to Junction West Durango Riverside Resort, rinse off trail dust in the clean bathhouse, and swap top-mural rankings around the communal fire pit. Ready to turn a four-mile art loop into a memory-packed getaway? Reserve your riverside cabin, RV site, or tent spot today and let tomorrow’s canvas start right outside your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far is the mural loop from Junction West Durango Riverside Resort, and can I get there without a car?
A: The resort connects to downtown by the flat, paved Animas River Trail; most guests bike the 7–8 mi ride in about forty-five minutes, or you can catch the Road Runner Transit bus at the resort entrance for a quick, low-cost lift straight to the Transit Center two blocks from the first mural.
Q: Where should I park if I prefer to drive?
A: Arrive before 10 a.m. for easy metered spots on 2nd Avenue or use the free all-day lot at 10th Street and Camino del Rio; from either location you can cover the entire four-mile loop on foot without moving your car again.
Q: Is the route stroller-friendly and wheelchair-accessible?
A: Yes; sidewalks are curb-cut, alleys are level, and the Animas River Trail approach is smoothly paved, though very narrow passages pop up behind a few shops, so families using side-by-side strollers may need to roll single-file for a minute or two.
Q: Where can we find restrooms and benches along the way?
A: Public restrooms sit inside the Transit Center and at Buckley Park, while most Main Avenue cafés welcome paying customers; benches line the depot platform and Buckley Park lawn, giving both kids and grandparents reliable rest stops.
