# Explore Durango Source: https://jwdurango.com/explore-durango/ Updated: 2026-10-19 ## Explore Durango from Junction West Durango Riverside Resort Stay along the Animas River in Hermosa Valley and use our north-of-downtown location as your basecamp for the Durango train, Mesa Verde day trips, San Juan trails, and scenic drives on Highway 550. [Start With Top Attractions](https://jwdurango.com/local-attractions/) [See Stay Options](https://jwdurango.com/rv-sites/) [Check Dates & Rates](https://bookingsus.newbook.cloud/online/aos__junction_west_durango?place_booking&_gl=1*1b3l0ni*_gcl_au*MTY4ODI3MzM3My4xNzczMzIzODMy*_ga*MTk4MTIzNjk0My4xNzczMzIzODMy*_ga_9RBR09BB3K*czE3NzM3NTI0MTckbzMkZzEkdDE3NzM3NTI3MzQkajM4JGwwJGg4NzUzNjkwNDY.) Built for guests who want full days outside and quieter nights back at camp. ### 12 Miles to the Durango Train ### Animas River Basecamp ### Off Highway 550 ### Easy Day-Trip Access ### Start With the Durango Experience You Want Whether your trip is about rail history, cliff dwellings, family time, trail exploring, or a classic scenic drive, start with the guide that matches how you travel. #### Historic Train Rides Build a stay around Durango’s best-known heritage experience and learn how to plan tickets, timing, and a smoother train day. [See Train Tips](#train) #### Mesa Verde Day Trips Turn one of the Southwest’s most memorable cultural sites into a realistic day trip from the river instead of an overcomplicated detour. [See Mesa Verde Tips](#mesa-verde) #### Million Dollar Highway & Silverton Plan a scenic drive day built around mountain passes, overlooks, mining-town stops, and the kind of road people talk about for years. [Build a Scenic Drive Day](#scenic-drives) #### Hiking & Biking Find routes, trail-condition resources, and a better sense of which Durango trail day fits your energy, skill, and season. [See Trail Ideas](#trails) #### River Days Rafting, tubing, fishing, and guided water adventure options for guests who want to stay close to the flow. [Plan a River Day](#water) #### Family-Friendly Adventures Find the train, easy outdoor wins, indoor backups, and low-stress ideas that keep a Durango trip fun across age groups. [Find Easy Family Wins](#family) #### Museums & Local History Discover Durango’s rich heritage, interactive train exhibits, and local cultural centers for guests who want to add a touch of history to their mountain getaway. [See Museum Ideas](#winter) #### Local Eats, Breweries & Blog Tips When you want a slower afternoon, a casual dinner, or smarter local context, this is where those ideas begin. [Explore Local Flavor](#blog) ### Why This Location Works Junction West Durango Riverside Resort sits along the Animas River at the north end of Hermosa Valley, just north of downtown Durango and directly off the road corridor that leads toward Purgatory, Silverton, and the Million Dollar Highway. That makes this a stronger fit for guests who want to spend the day exploring and still come back to a quieter riverside setting instead of staying boxed into downtown. - Strong for northbound day trips - Strong for train and scenic-drive travelers - Strong for guests who want outdoor access plus calmer evenings ![Illustrated map of Durango Riverside camping resort showing cabins, RV sites, tent sites, amenities, roads, and Animas River with labeled legend and contact information at the top.](https://jwdurango.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Park-Map-Final-1.png) ### Three Signature Durango Experiences ![Two cyclists and a train engineer stand in front of a steam locomotive; two bicycles are parked in the foreground.](https://jwdurango.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IHBC-Scott-Smith-092.jpeg) #### Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad One of the region’s best-known experiences, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has operated between Durango and Silverton since 1882 and still offers year-round excursions through mountain scenery that road travelers cannot fully replicate. For first-time visitors, heritage-minded couples, families, and returning RV guests, this is the easiest anchor activity to build a whole trip around. - Great first stop for first-time visitors - Strong fit for couples, families, and retirees - Book early on big weekends and peak seasons #### Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde protects nearly 5,000 archeological sites, including about 600 cliff dwellings, and remains one of the Southwest’s most rewarding history-and-scenery day trips. - Strong fit for families, history lovers, and heritage travelers - Full-day or big half-day outing - Reserve guided tours before arrival when possible ![Two people stand near a rectangular doorway carved into a large red rock cliff, with distant mesas and a blue sky in the background.](https://jwdurango.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/t-shaped-doorway-cliff-dwelling-durango-colorado.png) ![Paved two-lane road curves through autumn trees with yellow and orange leaves, set against mountains under a clear blue sky.](https://jwdurango.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/carol-highsmith-s-america-nWrVLiP2Th8-unsplash-scaled.jpg) #### Million Dollar Highway & the San Juan Skyway This is the road-trip version of a highlight reel: alpine scenery, pull-offs, mining-town character, and the kind of drive guests remember long after the trip is over. The Million Dollar Highway is the famous 25-mile stretch of US 550 between Silverton and Ouray, and it connects to the larger San Juan Skyway loop. - Best for scenic drivers and photographers - Pair well with Silverton or Ouray - Check weather and road tools before you go ### Outdoor Adventure at Your Pace Not every guest wants the same tempo. Some want sunrise trail miles, some want a guided raft, and some want one easy family win before dinner. #### Hiking, Biking & Trail Conditions Durango Trails says there are more than 300 miles of trails within 30 minutes of downtown Durango, and it maintains both trail maps and live condition updates. This is the right internal path for hikers, runners, and mountain bikers who want better information before committing to a route. #### River Days: Rafting, Tubing & Fishing Cool off with a day on the Animas River. Whether you are looking for a thrilling guided whitewater rafting trip with local outfitters like Durango Rivertrippers and Mild to Wild, or prefer a relaxing afternoon of river tubing and fishing, we have your warm-weather water plans covered. #### Family-Friendly Adventures Visit Durango’s official family page highlights options like ziplining, the train, Purgatory’s alpine slide, and indoor backups like the Powerhouse Science Center. Local favorites include Bar D Chuckwagon, Bears Ranch, and Full Blast Adventure Center. #### Summer Adventures at Purgatory Purgatory Resort is not just a ski stop—it is a massive summer playground. During our camping season, guests can head up the mountain to enjoy the alpine slide, Inferno mountain coaster, scenic chairlift rides, and world-class mountain biking. ### Local Flavor Beyond the Big-Ticket Attractions #### Local Eats, Breweries & Slower Afternoons Durango’s official tourism site highlights a broad food and beverage scene, including casual dining, coffee, breweries, and more than 500 restaurants and bars in the wider area. #### Indoor Backups & Easy Wins Weather, tired legs, or younger kids can change the plan. Durango’s official family guide already points guests toward indoor options like the Powerhouse Science Center, arts activities, and other easy pivots when a full trail or river day is not the move. ### Planning Tools You Should Actually Check #### Road Conditions & Cameras Check COTrip before mountain drives for road closures, weather, construction, and camera views. #### Trail Conditions Durango Trails is your live-condition reference for shoulder seasons, muddy days, aspect changes, and route planning. #### Local Forecast Help Keep your weather guidance practical and regional with the local forecast resources already recommended on the current site. #### Official Visitor Info Use Visit Durango for maps, events, restaurants, itineraries, and broad destination planning. #### Bear-Aware Guidance Guests exploring the area should understand food storage, wildlife etiquette, and local safety basics before heading out. ### Local Partners & Favorites We Already Recommend #### Adventure & Guided Tours - Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours - Mild to Wild Whitewater Rafting Trips & Jeep Tours #### Family & Western Favorites - Bar D Chuckwagon - Bears Ranch - Full Blast Adventure Center #### Heritage & Must-See Stops - Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Mesa Verde National Park #### Planning Resources - COTrip - Durango Weather Guy - Durango Trails - Visit Durango ### Fresh Local Reads From Our Blog [![A clear, shallow river flows between rocky banks and tall green pine trees under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.](https://jwdurango.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/JWD-198-scaled-1-300x200.jpg)](https://jwdurango.com/fall-color-in-durango-when-the-aspens-peak-and-where-to-drive/) Epic Day Trips & Scenic Drives #### [Fall Color in Durango: When the Aspens Peak and Where to Drive](https://jwdurango.com/fall-color-in-durango-when-the-aspens-peak-and-where-to-drive/) Find out when aspens peak around Durango and which drives offer the best fall color. [Read More »](https://jwdurango.com/fall-color-in-durango-when-the-aspens-peak-and-where-to-drive/) September 1, 2026 No Comments [![Canvas mail sacks being loaded through a wide sliding door of a narrow-gauge railcar at the Durango depot on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad](https://jwdurango.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/dsng-mail-sacks-depot-durango-300x300.png)](https://jwdurango.com/how-the-dsng-delivered-mail-to-mountain-camps/) Historic Durango & Old West Heritage #### [How the D&SNG Delivered Mail to Mountain Camps](https://jwdurango.com/how-the-dsng-delivered-mail-to-mountain-camps/) Follow a single letter from Durango onto the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad—logged into mail sacks, rushed through quick station stops, and carried the last mile by boots, horses, and pack animals to remote San Juan Mountain camps—plus the easy clues you can spot on today’s ride. [Read More »](https://jwdurango.com/how-the-dsng-delivered-mail-to-mountain-camps/) July 4, 2026 No Comments [![Close-up view of narrow gauge train rails on the Durango station platform, showing the 3-foot track spacing used by the Durango & Silverton line](https://jwdurango.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/durango-narrow-gauge-rails-platform-300x300.png)](https://jwdurango.com/durangos-narrow-gauge-how-3-foot-rails-powered-mountain-mining/) Historic Durango & Old West Heritage #### [Durango’s Narrow Gauge: How 3-Foot Rails Powered Mountain Mining](https://jwdurango.com/durangos-narrow-gauge-how-3-foot-rails-powered-mountain-mining/) Durango’s “narrow gauge” 3-foot rails weren’t a quirky detail—they were a mountain logistics solution that let the Durango & Silverton line hug the Animas Canyon, move supplies up to mines, and carry ore back down in a way you can still spot from the depot and along the river today. [Read More »](https://jwdurango.com/durangos-narrow-gauge-how-3-foot-rails-powered-mountain-mining/) July 1, 2026 No Comments [Read the Durango Blog](https://jwdurango.com/blog/) ### Good to Know Before You Head Out How far is the Durango train from the resort? Junction West Durango Riverside Resort is located about 12 miles from the Durango & Silverton railroad, making it an easy and convenient outing to build your stay around. Do Mesa Verde cliff dwelling tours require reservations? Usually yes. Ranger-led cliff dwelling tours require reservations, with Step House as the major exception. Where should guests check trail conditions before hiking or biking? Check Durango Trails for live trail conditions before you head out. Where should guests check mountain-road conditions before scenic drives? Before heading out, guests should check COTrip for real-time mountain-road conditions. It is the best resource for live camera views, weather updates, construction delays, and road closures along your route. What should first-time guests start with? The train, Mesa Verde, and the Million Dollar Highway are the three cleanest “signature experience” starting points on this hub page. ### Build Your Durango Basecamp Stay riverside, spend the day exploring, and come back to quieter nights under the pines. [See Stay Options](https://jwdurango.com/rv-sites/) [Check Dates & Rates](https://bookingsus.newbook.cloud/online/aos__junction_west_durango?place_booking&_gl=1*1q6pz3d*_gcl_au*MTY4ODI3MzM3My4xNzczMzIzODMy*_ga*MTk4MTIzNjk0My4xNzczMzIzODMy*_ga_9RBR09BB3K*czE3NzQ0NTQwNjgkbzUkZzEkdDE3NzQ0NTQyNzkkajUwJGwwJGgxMjYxMTM4Njkz) [Explore Events & Deals](https://jwdurango.com/events-deals/)