Recreation Activities

Animas River Trail - Enjoy a stroll down our 8-mile river trail or visit one of our many local parks including Fassbinder Park at Main Ave. and 17th Street, Santa Rita Park, and the park at the Durango Recreation Center to name a few. Pick up a map from a Downtown Ambassador or at the Durango Welcome Center.

Durango Recreation Center - located in the North Main District at 2700 Main Avenue. The 71,557 sq. ft. facility is filled with fun activities for the whole family. The facility has an expansive aquatics area with a 160 ft. water slide and play structures. The kids will enjoy scrambling over the rock wall or playing games on the full-size basketball court. Call 970-375-7300 for more information.

Chapman Hill - 500 Florida Road. Open for roller skating starting in May. Check their website for a weekly calendar of events.  Get your groove on Friday and Saturday evenings. We turn the lights down low and laydown dance tracks from the 70's to current day pop. All ages are welcome. Friday & Saturday Night Disco Skate night 6 -9pm  Cost is $10 with or without skate rental, Children under 3 are free.

Go for a Hike - Durango is filled with many hiking trails that the whole family can enjoy. Many are located right in town and offer a nice getaway to enjoy the beautiful scenery in Durango. See our hiking guide here or visit the Durango Welcome Center for a full map and information on some local trails. 

Bike Rentals - We have several local bike shops that offer rentals for the day. Pedal the Peaks 598 Main Avenue, 2nd Ave Sports at 640 E. 2nd Avenue, Ski Barn 1316 Main Avenue. E-Bike rentals are available at Roll E-Bike & Paddle Board at 680 Main Avenue. Pricing includes delivery right to your location.

Lake Nighthorse - Season opens at the end of March/early April for weekend operation (Friday-Sunday, 9-4pm). Daily Operations begin in May. Swim Beach opens in June. The new Wibit Aqua Park at the swim beach opens mid-June. The Wibit Aqua Park will be available for public use during 4 daily sessions. The sessions will be 1 hour and 45 minutes each. There is a $5 fee per person/per session with a maximum of 60 individuals pers session. In-person reservations will be open each day at the swim beach building at 9:30 am. 

Lake Nighthorse entrance fees:  Day pass vehicle entrance $10, Walk/bike $5. There are season passes and 5-punch passes available online. Paddleboard rentals are available on site.

Schneider Park Skate Park - Located at 950 Roosa Ave. Compact skate park for both beginner & advanced skaters or bikers, featuring rails, ramps & stairs. Free!

Durango BMX Track - 360 S. Camino Del Rio. Located on the south end of Durango, The track is free to use when races or clinics are not occurring. The track may be closed prior to races or when the track is wet.

City Parks- Durango has various parks and open spaces to explore. The largest facility is Santa Rita Park, located on the south side of town at 149 S. Camino Del Rio. Santa Rita Park includes basketball courts, a playground, and an open grass area: picnic shelters, restrooms, and more. Santa Rita Park is located along the Animas River and is accessible by the Animas River Trail. Another popular family park is Fassbinder Park, located in the North Main District at 140 W. Park Ave. This park features a beautiful playground, restrooms, picnic tables, and a grass area. It is filled with beautiful trees that provide great shade in the summer. Another great park is the Community Recreation Center Park at 2700 Main Avenue. The park area outside the Recreation Center includes a large amphitheater, a large grassy area, and a large playground area shaded in the summer. Restrooms and water fountains are accessible inside the Recreation Center during normal business hours. Last but not least is Buckley Park, located in Historic Main Avenue. This beautiful park provides plenty of open space for many activities. This is a great spot to bring a picnic lunch or let the kids run. This is also a very popular spot for sledding in the winter when the conditions allow it. Buckley Park is filled with multiple events throughout the summer. On Thursday evenings starting in late June, the park is filled with music with the Concert Hall@ the Park free summer concert series. This is a fun community event for the whole family. Many other great events also occur throughout the year at the park, so check the events calendar for more information. 

 

 

Museums & Educational Activities

Powerhouse Science Center - 1333 Camino Del Rio. The Powerhouse Science Center is an educational and playful place for children of all ages with hands-on learning and interactive exhibits. Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9-1 pm and Saturday & Sunday 9 -3:30 pm, Closed on Wednesday. Visit their website or call (970) 259-9234.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Railroad Museum - 479 Main Avenue. Take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This is an unforgettable experience to ride a coal-fired, steam-powered narrow-gauge train. It's a fantastic experience that your family will continue to talk about for years to come. Book your trip at durangotrain.com. Explore the Durango Silverton Railroad Museum. Admission is free! The museum has an interactive train model, authentic train cars for kids to explore, plus many interesting historical railroad artifacts. Open 7 days a week. Also, ask about the new D&SNG Railroad Yard Tours. 1-hour tour of in-depth history & Tour.

The Durango Public Library - 1900 E. 3rd Street. Open Monday - Wednesday 9:30-6 pm, Thursday 10 am-6 pm, Friday- 9:30-5:30 pm, Saturday 9:30 am-5 pm. Closed on Sunday. The Library has an expansive section for children with seating areas, computers, puppet play area, and more. During the summer months, they have a full calendar of activities for children. Call for additional information 375-3380.

Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum - 151 E. 16th Street. The Hatchery is open  7 days a week from 8am-4 pm. The facility produces more than 1.3 million fish annually, and visitors can feed the fish via coin-operated dispensers. The Wildlife Museum (Temporarily Closed) features an intimate display covering the area's wildlife. Allow at least 30 minutes to visit both the Hatchery and the Museum. Bring some quarters so you can feed the fish!  For more information, call (970) 247-4755. 

Mesa Verde National Park - Families will enjoy a trip to Mesa Verde to learn the history and sites of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made Mesa Verde their home for over 700 years. Ask how your child can become a Junior Ranger and participate in activities while visiting the park. Entrance fee: $30 (private Vehicle). The Park entrance is 35 miles from Durango. To reach the cliff dwellings, plan approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours from Durango. Call (970) 529-4465 for more information. Tour tickets can be purchased only on recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.

Animas Museum- Located in the North Main District, this museum offers a variety of exhibits and programs for all ages. It is housed in the former Animas City school building and features an authentic restored classroom from the early 1800s. The museum is located at 3065 West 2nd Avenue. (Click here for a map.) Hours are Tuesday and Thursday, Saturday 10-4 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Call (970) 259-2402 for more information. 

 

 

Adventure Activities

Rafting on the Animas River - Enjoy some adventures down the Animas River with one of our local guide companies. River Rafting, and tubing is a great way to cool down in the summer months. Check out these guide companies for reservations or for equipment rental. Mountain Waters Rafting 303 W. College Drive (by Albertsons), and  Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours 50 Animas View Drive. Ski Barn provides daily rentals of both inflatable kayaks and tubes at1316 Main Avenue #10 

Paddle Board on our local Lakes!- Enjoy a full day in the sun at one of our local lakes, paddle boarding. The Durango area has an abundance of lakes, including Lake Nighthorse, Haviland Lake, and the Animas River. These are just a few options for paddle boarding in our local area. Check out Roll E-bike & Paddle Board and Ski Barn for paddleboard rentals. 

Explore the Mountains with a Jeep tour - Explore the San Juan Mountains on a jeep tour or create your own trip with a rental. Visit these companies for more information. Mountain Waters Rafting - 303 W. College Drive (800) 585-8243 and Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours - 50 Animas View Drive (970) 247-4789.

Purgatory Resort - For a full day of fun, check out Purgatory Resort for summer activities. They offer seven activities, including the exciting Inferno Mountain Coaster, Alpine Slide, and more. Additional activities include the scenic chairlift ride, treasure panning, paddle boards & boats, Kids' off-road track, and more. Open daily for the summer 2025 season starting June 14 to August 17.  Open Friday-Sundays, August 22- October 5. (Plus, Labor Day, Monday, September 1.)  All tickets need to be purchased online.

Fishing- The area has many fantastic rivers, lakes, and streams to cast your rod, including the Animas River that runs directly through the City of Durango. Anglers will enjoy the many options for fishing at our local lakes, including Lake Nighthorse, Haviland Lake, and Pastorius Reservoir. The Animas River is home to Rainbow and Brown Trout as well as Cutthroat and Brook Trout, which can be found in the river's upper reaches. Durango offers several fly-fishing guiding options, including The San Juan Angler and Duranglers Flies and Supplies.

 

 

Hands-On Activities

Create some art at Sun Sapphires - 640 Main Avenue suite 201. (upstairs) Create some art at Sun Sapphires Glass Studio. This is an excellent activity for the whole family. They will teach you how to create beautiful glass pieces or gifts. No experience necessary. Offering fused glass sessions every day except Monday. Each session is 2 hours long and the instruction is included. Session times are Tuesday- Saturday, anytime between 11 am and 3 pm, and Sunday sessions begin at 12:30 pm. Walk-ins welcome for fused glass only, but space may not always be guaranteed. Appointments are necessary for classes due to limited seating available. Call for availability (970) 259-2229.

Pan for treasures and gems at Durango Treasures - 900 Main Avenue. Stop by Durango Treasures and check out their mining cave where you can pan for gems, fossils, and other treasures. Call (970) 403-5562 for availability.

 

 

Events

Durango is filled with events all season long. Here are a few of the popular family friendly events during the summer months. Visit our event calendar a full list of current events. 

Concert Hall @ The Park - The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College is happy to announce the return of its free summer concert series, Concert Hall @ The Park in Downtown Durango’s Buckley Park on Thursday evenings. Picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs are encouraged. Starting June 20 through August 1. For further information, visit DurangoConcerts.com.

Community Concert Series - The Powerhouse is thrilled to continue a summer tradition of local music, community gatherings, and nonprofit support through a weekly Community Concert Series. Every Wednesday, from early June through mid-August, we will host a concert outside the Carver Family Plaza, with half of the ticket proceeds donated to a different local non-profit beneficiary. Concert Dates: June 4, 11, 18, & 25, July 2,9, 16, 23, 30, and August 6.

Durango Farmers Market- The market features over 35 local farmers with fresh produce, locally raised meat products, local businesses creating hot, ready-to-eat food and beverages, artisans with high-quality handmade goods, and more. Buy your produce from the farmers who grew it and your bread from the baker who baked it. Meet your community each weekend and enjoy live musical entertainment. It's an event not to be missed! Open Saturdays 8 am to noon (October 9 am- noon). Market runs from May 10th through October 25th. Located at the TBK Bank Parking Lot at 259 W. 9th Street, just one block off Main Avenue. Across from the Durango Transit Center.

True Western Roundup- Wednesday Evenings starting in June at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Events Center. The True Western Roundup is excited to showcase the working ranch activities of the American Cowboy and Cowgirl. We are proud to promote and preserve our western heritage in a positive family atmosphere, and we welcome you to bring your family and friends for an exciting evening of wild western entertainment!

La Plata County Fair- An annual tradition for the entire family. The County Fair features live animals, exhibits, pies, quilts, and more. Fairgoers should check out the prized livestock raised by our local 4-H youth. No fair would be complete without traditional carnival rides and decadent carnival food.  There is so much to do at the Fair, you might want to visit more than once! Click here for a full schedule.

 

 

Shopping & Dining

Shop in Downtown Durango - Durango offers many unique shops and fun shopping options for kids! Check out Twilight Toys, Rio Grande Trading Company, Maria's Bookshop, Beads and Beyond, Durango Treasures, and Fuzziwigs Candy Factory. These are just a few of the stores to choose from. See a full list here. 

Family-Friendly Restaurants - Durango offers many family-friendly restaurants. A few of our favorites include: Carver Brewing Co, Grassburger, Steamworks Brewing Co, Fired up Pizza, 11th Street Station, Nini's Taqueria, Serious Texas BBQ, Zia Taqueria and Homeslice Pizza. These are just a few of the many restaurants to choose from. See our full Family Friendly Restaurant Guide for more great information.

Sweet Treats - Don't forget to grab some sweet treats at some of some of these amazing locations! Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Magpie's Newsstand & Cafe, Cream Bean Berry, Animas Chocolate Company, Fuzziwigs Candy Factory, Cold Stone Creamery, and Baskin Robbins.

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