Durango's Historical Sites: A Step Back in Time

After spending quality time exploring Durango's streets, trails, and backroads, I can say with confidence that this town truly highlights its rich history. From the sound of the steam train's whistle echoing through the valley to the creak of the Strater Hotel's century-old floorboards, history isn’t just preserved here—it’s alive. Whether you’re strolling down Main Avenue, listening to tales of outlaws and railroad tycoons, or venturing into the high country to discover old mining sites, Durango is one of those special places where the past comes to life. In this guide, we will stroll through Durango’s Old West heritage, from ancient cliff dwellings to ghost towns nestled high in the San Juans.

Exploring Durango’s Rich Old West History

Durango is situated at the crossroads of a rich Western history, encompassing mining, ranching, railroads, and the Ancient Puebloan people who were here long before everything else. This hub along the Animas River has many stories to tell! Nearby Mesa Verde National Park serves as an excellent starting point for learning about those who came before us. Be sure to book a guided tour of one of the stunning cliff dwellings. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad announces its presence almost immediately upon your arrival in town. You may hear its whistle and see its smoke as it chugs its way north, winding into the San Juan Mountains. Downtown Durango and Main Avenue offer enough Old West history to keep you busy and captivated all day long. With walking tours, ghost tours, and general sightseeing, you can shop while you learn! The silver and gold mines of Silverton kept Durango’s smelters busy—here, ore was processed for the entire region. Ranching flourished in the high alpine areas surrounding Durango, as these lands provided beef for miners further north in the remote mining towns and well into New Mexico. Durango has been featured in numerous Western films and TV series, most notably Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

The Story of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The enchanting Weminuche Wilderness may be too rugged and remote for many to access, but the 45-mile stretch of train tracks between Durango and Silverton provides visitors with a scenic and relaxing way to get a taste of this area. Hugging the Animas River for much of the journey, the train winds its way through tight mountain curves, with jagged peaks in the distance.
When silver and gold were being extracted from the Silverton mines, this narrow-gauge branch of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was laid in 1881 to transport ore to the smelters in Durango. After the mines were depleted in the early 20th century, and uranium ore had its moment during World War II, the train was repurposed for tourism. Gaining nearly 3000 vertical feet in elevation, it was primarily constructed by around 500 Irish and Chinese immigrants. The D&SNGRR is recognized as a registered historical landmark by the National Park Service, and an observant film buff may catch a glimpse of it in several films.

Today, the train offers various options for those wanting to experience this historic and renowned excursion, including one in winter that takes passengers up the canyon into a true winter wonderland.

Step Back in Time at the Strater Hotel

The Strater Hotel, which opened in 1887 during the Gilded Age, blends historic beauty with modern luxury. It is just two blocks from the train station, making it ideal for those wanting to immerse themselves in the downtown scene while keeping one foot in the Victorian era's heyday. 

A mishmash of architectural styles, including Italian Romanesque and Renaissance Revival, houses the 88 guest rooms and features one of the largest collections of American Victorian walnut antiques in the world. 
The hotel has hosted its fair share of notable names over the years (the Grateful Dead!), but perhaps the most legendary is Western author Louis L’Amour, who stayed in a room directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon. He credited the honky-tonk music emanating from the saloon as inspiration for his novels, particularly the Sackett series. 
The Strater features a Wild West-themed saloon, a Steak and Seafood restaurant (billed as the most unique restaurant in the Southwest), and a craft cocktail lounge (spiritorium, anyone?)—options for pretty much everyone. Who doesn’t love servers dressed in Ragtime period pieces with live music nightly? 

Learn more and preview this gem by watching the Rocky Mountain PBS Show The Strater: The Hotel That Built Durango.

Discovering the Mining Roots at Animas Forks Ghost Town

Your best bet for easily accessible, well-preserved ghost town lies just over ten miles past historic Silverton on the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. At 11,200 feet in elevation, this mining town had its heyday in the late 1800s, with a remarkably robust population of 450 hardy residents. It’s hard to envision the hotel, general store, and saloon that sustained the locals during the winter seasons (they even had their own newspaper, the Animas Forks Pioneer)! The dwindling mining riches rendered it a ghost town by the 1920s.
You will definitely want a high-clearance vehicle for the rough road that leads to this site. Pick up a brochure and check out some of the signage when you arrive, and let your imagination run wild as you stroll around the buildings, envisioning the folks who dared to come here - although they apparently sought shelter during the winters in the nearby town of Silverton, at a slightly lower elevation.

Iconic Durango Landmarks You Can’t Miss

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 

By far the most iconic landmark, especially for train buffs, is this vintage steam train, dating back to the 1800s. It makes its presence known in the summer season through its whistles and puffs of smoke as it makes its way through town and up the valley to nearby Silverton.

Strater Hotel
Historic hotel built in 1887, and known for its ornate Victorian architecture and connections to famous visitors like celebrated author Louis L'Amour.

Downtown Durango
A walkable, well-preserved historic district with charming 19th-century buildings, art galleries, boutiques, and numerous local restaurants.

Animas Museum
Housed in a former schoolhouse, this museum documents the area's history and culture.

Animas River and Animas River Trail
Notable landmark that flows through Durango; summers offer opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and riverside walks on the river trail.

San Juan National Forest
Spectacular alpine forest that surrounds Durango with over 1.8 million acres of wilderness, hiking trails, and camping.

Mesa Verde National Park (about 35 miles away)
UNESCO World Heritage Site that features ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans.

Purgatory Resort
A ski resort north of Durango known for winter sports and scenic summer activities.

Stroll Down Historic Main Avenue

“Come walk through over 100 years of history on Main Avenue.” 

If you’re the kind of person who likes to do things on your own, the Self-Guided Walking Tour offered through the Animas Museum is your best bet. This tour starts at the Train Depot and leads you past buildings with rich histories that tell the story of the establishment and growth of this town that was founded by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Featuring historical and architectural facts, it is quickly revealed that there is more than meets the eye in downtown Durango. 

Visit the Historic Powerhouse Science Center

The Powerhouse Science Center is a great resource for families, especially if you are looking for something to do when the weather is not great. Located in a historic 1893 power plant along the Animas River. It's a hub for interactive learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), offering engaging exhibits and programs for visitors of all ages. What does that mean exactly? We’re talking hands-on, interactive experiences with electricity, magnetism, and renewable energy, to name a few.

There’s a toddler zone and an outdoor area with a climbing structure. The Powerhouse schedule is chock-full of cool stuff for kids and live music once a week during peak summer season, for everyone. Because it’s a short walk on the Animas River trail from downtown Durango, it’s also a great way to utilize the lovely Animas River Trail. The building itself is worthy of a visit, as it has been restored from disuse to the now vibrant hub of learning and discovery.

Tour the Animas Museum

The Animas Museum is the local history museum housed in the transformed 1904 Animas City School building. Operated by the La Plata County Historical Society, it offers a glimpse into the region's rich past through a variety of exhibits and programs with free admission. If you like envisioning what life was like at the turn of the century, there is enough here to keep you

Some of the exhibits and programs include:

Restored 1905 Classroom: Experience an early 20th-century schoolroom with original furnishings and materials.
The Joy Cabin: Explore one of the area's earliest homes, offering insights into pioneer life in the 1870s.
The Peterson House: A Depression-era home that reflects the modest living conditions of the time.
Online Exhibits: Access digital collections on topics like local history, World War I, and the history of electricity in Durango. A link on their website lets you learn from recorded webinars on a huge range of topics relevant to the greater area.
Educational Programs: Participate in the "Junior Curator" program, designed for children aged 6 to 15, to engage them in history through interactive activities.

Colorado Historic Tours in Durango

If you’re the kind of person who likes to do things on your own, the Self-Guided Walking Tours offered through the Animas Museum is your best bet, and they offer three, and you can download the guides from their website. 

The Historic Downtown tour starts at the Train Depot and leads you past buildings with rich histories that tell the story of the establishment and growth of this town that was founded by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. 

The Third Avenue Walking Tour takes you into the residential area to show you some of the historic homes and their former occupants. You will learn about the architecture and styles that were utilized over the years in this neighborhood, block by block.

Animas City Walking Tour is the third - this is the name of the city that predated Durango. The tour showcases many of the buildings that once stood in this agricultural area, before annexation with Durango in 1948. 

Guided Walking Tours of Durango’s Historic Downtown

If you want an easy guided tour, and a way to learn about the historical events of the “Wild West” vibe in Durango, is the “Quick and Dirty History Tour.” This is an easy one-way stroll up historic Main Street that lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Get the facts, not the lore, of the characters and events that shaped Durango’s early years in the 1880s. Among those characters were the buffalo soldiers, Native Americans, outlaws, Chinese restaurateurs, railroad workers and miners, freed slaves, and "soiled doves," all contributors to the tapestry that made Durango. This tour ends just before lunch, and provides an easy segue to the numerous dining options that dot Main Street.

A second exciting option is the “Hauntings and History Ghost Tour” that promises not to disappoint! On this tour you will learn about how some of those same characters met their fates but continue to linger in Durango through paranormal activities, which, it turns out, Durango is loaded with. The nefarious businesses and the people who populated them left behind a legacy of late-night deeds that resulted in some untimely and dramatic passings of spirits who refuse to leave.

This lamp lit tour, also 90 minutes, starts at dusk (varying times throughout the spring, summer, and fall), and culminates in a semi-claustrophobic indoor haunted location!

Historic Jeep Tours to Mining Towns and Landmarks

Exploring the historic mining towns around Durango, Colorado, is a captivating adventure that combines rugged terrain with rich history. Several local tour operators offer guided Jeep excursions into these remote areas, providing access to ghost towns, old mining sites, waterfalls, and breathtaking alpine landscapes.

The nearby underrated La Plata Mountains offer a few different options for half-day tours. There’s a good chance you can spot some classic Colorado wildlife along the way: deer, marmots, elk, and raptors all make their home here.

For the more adventurous, river rafting offers a unique way to experience the area. Some off-roading tours venture further into the wilderness and higher elevations. These are all great opportunities for photographing the stunning landscapes, wildlife, and ghost towns in the area.

Explore Native American History at Mesa Verde National Park 

If you want to have your mind blown, take a day to explore Mesa Verde National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for the elaborate and spectacular cliff dwellings, constructed around 1000 years ago. Established in 1906, the park contains a staggering amount of archaeological sites, several of them only accessible with a ranger to guide your group. These tours sell out so visit their site and book yours in advance.

Driving and viewing the dwellings from the upper canyon rims is a great way to see what this park has to offer, as some of the tours are fairly strenuous and involve ladders. The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum is a worthy stop, as it features a lovely gift shop, artifacts, dioramas, and a short film.

Much of the park is only open during the spring, summer, and fall and there are numerous walks and hikes that get you up close and personal with not just the ancient dwellings but petroglyphs and pictographs as well.

Discover Durango’s Heritage Through Special Events

Durango is home to a few signature events that capture the history and artistry of the community. You can time your visit around one of these to make your stay extra special. 

Snowdown Festival
Colorado’s Premier Winter Celebration! Kick off this midwinter celebration on Friday evening at dusk with the Parade of Lights - Durango’s only nighttime parade where light-bedecked floats create a dazzling delight along Main Avenue. Floats compete for bragging rights in several categories, and the festival theme changes annually.

Durango Independent Film Festival
Showcasing a diverse array of films, this festival brings together filmmakers and audiences to celebrate cinematic storytelling. This festival features the best of Native Cinema, along with adventure films, independent music, nature, comedy, shorts, documentaries, and feature films.

Durango Wine Experience
A weekend event featuring wine tastings, food pairings, and educational seminars, highlighting the region's culinary offerings. Experience educational seminars, wine dinners and unique tastings featuring hundreds of wineries, artisan spirits and craft beers. Don’t miss the Grand Tasting on Sunday!

Durango Cowboy Gathering
Held annually, and now going on 36 years, in historic downtown Durango, this event brings together cowboys, cowgirls, and enthusiasts to honor Western traditions through music, poetry, storytelling, and horse events. The first weekend in October typically has dazzling weather to complement this special event.

Durango Autumn Arts Festival
Celebrating its 30th year in 2025, this family-friendly festival showcases works from both established and emerging artists, offering a diverse range of visual arts. Any event presented by an arts council is sure to deliver a top-tier event with something for everyone. 

Durango Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival
Hosted at the historic Strater Hotel, this festival features performances by renowned musicians, celebrating the rich history of ragtime and early jazz music. Indulge your musical senses for four days of concerts, silent movies, seminars, after hours jam parties, and much more.

Durango Blues Train
Experience live blues music aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, combining scenic train rides with performances by talented blues artists. Two weekends - one in May and one in August, the Blues Train features six live blues performances inside the train coaches. Each artist performs in their own vintage coach, while passengers are free to dance their way from coach to coach. Enjoy an evening on the rails with some of Colorado's best craft beer and wine along with spectacular scenery.

Participate in Living History Programs at Local Sites

History brought to life occurs during the whole month of September with History Live! This celebration is chock full of lectures, workshops, and live portrayals of historical figures. A range of different venues, including Fort Lewis College, the Durango Public Library, and the Powerhouse Science Center, provide impromptu stages for locals and visitors to soak up local history topics. These topics encompass past and present Native American topics, historical characters and locations, and truly bring the vibrant past to life.

The Strater Hotel essentially functions as a living history hotel - but one you can enjoy a frosty beer in! 

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, sitting adjacent to the train itself, has a slew of artifacts and exhibits that detail the train’s fabled history - all shown through vintage railcars, photographs, and memorabilia.

Seasonal Tours: Snowshoe Through Historic Mining Areas

 There are three classic locations near Durango where snowshoers can enjoy the natural beauty of winter in Colorado, combined with the local mining history.

La Plata Canyon, at only 30 minutes from Durango, provides snowshoers with a scenic route through the San Juan Mountains. The area, once active with mining operations, now offers peaceful trails where visitors can enjoy the quiet beauty of snow-laden forests and possibly spot wildlife such as deer and elk.

Andrews Lake at Molas Pass
Molas Pass, just over an hour north as you approach Silverton, showcases stunning panoramic winter vistas and distant peaks. As if the natural beauty isn’t enough, relics of mining days and mining towns offer an additional exploratory aspect to this adventure.

Vallecito Reservoir and Vallecito Nordic Ski Club
The 2700 acre Vallecito Reservoir features groomed trails in the area that are maintained by the Vallecito Nordic Ski Club. Snowshoeing offers a way to meander these peaceful paths, with both forests and open areas.

Our Top 5 Outdoor Activities to Explore History in Durango:

Riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – A living history experience.

Historic Trail Hikes – Trails like Animas City Mountain provide insight into the Old West.

Jeep Tours to Ghost Towns – Discover abandoned mining towns like Animas Forks.

Cycling Historic Rail Routes – Ride paths once used by the narrow-gauge railroad.

Guided Snowshoe Tours – Winter exploration of mining sites and historic locations.

Durango’s history is more than a collection of old buildings and dusty tales—it’s part of the rhythm of daily life here. You feel it in the rumble of the train, in the friendly nods on Main Avenue, and in the stories passed down by folks who still call these mountains home. Whether you're touring a ghost town, sipping a cocktail in a Victorian saloon, or learning about Ancestral Puebloans at Mesa Verde, each experience adds another layer to your understanding of this fascinating place. So slow down, look around, and let Durango’s past pull you in—it’s been waiting over a century to meet you.