Although you can explore much of the park on your own, taking a guided tour is the way to go as thats the only way to gain access to the most popular sites such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House. Another great activity to do near Denver is driving the, Of course, theres an endless list of things to do and places to see in and around Denver. Click here to see their availability, Siesta Motel If youre looking for some more budget-friendly accommodation options, then this motel is a geat choice. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Have fun, please forgive us our little OT chat. The cheapest way to get from Denver to Durango is to drive which costs 75,000-120,000 and takes 6h 33m. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. Either way there is only one high pass to cross (Wolf Creek, mentioned above), and I wouldn't call it scary. There are 115+ hotels available in Durango. Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75869024', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. Click here to see their availability, The Salida Inn & Hostel If youre traveling on a bit of a tighter budget, then this inn and hostel is an excellent choice. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. After passing the Antero Junction, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is a short detour west down Chalk Creek Drive from Nathrop and Browns Canyon National Monument just as your drive has started to meet with the Arkansas River. Its also noted as the highest road in the country thats kept open on a year-round basis. I need to return tonight to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) is a narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates 45.2mi of track between Durango and Silverton, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The route has an elevation gain of 9,000 ft and ascends through five climate zones to the 14,264-ft summit of Mount Evans. Total Distance: 1,098 miles *Time and distance may vary depending on traffic, change in routes, stops along the way, etc. It is impossible to get from Denver to Durango -- at least in any reasonable way -- without some mountain driving. First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which youll stay on for about 130 miles. The United States Census Bureau reported a population of 16,887 in the 2010 census. Prices and availability are subject to change. How long will the journey be and what is the fastest route? Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6e6fde05a476155cc84d0616c8a9c0f" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. Creedes title of The Last Boom Town comes from its legacy as a silver-mining town, which you can learn about in this PBS short documentary. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! Rome2rio makes travelling from Denver to Durango easy. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Which route is the best? If you are concerned about scary mountain driving, Red Mountain pass isn't scary, but the first part of the Million Dollar highway from Ouray south 10 or 20 miles is. Well, youve come to the right place. Driving to Durango from Denver is a beautiful, six and a half hour drive. Roundtrip One-way Multi-city 1 traveler Economy Leaving from Going to Departing Returning Add a place to stay Add a car Direct flights only Cheap Flights from Denver Intl. Instead of following US-50 W all the way to Montrose, take a right onto CO-92 W for approximately 70 miles until you reach Delta. You could also travel on Route 24 to pass through Colorado Springs, before connecting and driving west on 160, which will add about 30 minutes to your trip. If youre not familiar, Monarch Pass leads to the natural snowy slopes of Monarch Mountain. We have done the drive (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? One reason you might choose to take the I-25 route from Denver to Durango would be if youd rather minimize the mountain driving on winding, less-maintained roads. Click here to browse other private rentals. Roads surrounding the Denver metro area are often a mess, especially when you add snow and ice to the mix. Cortez is 50 miles away from Durango, while Telluride is 110 miles away. Travel in the winter months can be nerve-wracking along Red Mountain Pass. I will try to go the route thru the Great Sand Dunes. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. Brittany is an award-winning journalist based in Denver where she has lived and worked for more than a decade. Thank you :) Denver --> independence pass --> Aspen --> Ouray --> Red mountain pass --> Durango. We love our home state, and we have more than a few top tips for things to do during your visit. And as this road trip tends to take only about six to six and a half hours, its easy to pull off in a single day with plenty of time for some stops near the highway. The small roadside town of South Fork marks a point of transition where the Rio Grande River begins to shift from its high alpine origins in National Forest land and flow down toward flatter lands in New Mexico and beyond. Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. All deals One way Roundtrip Tue, Mar 21 DEN Denver DRO Durango $195 One way just found Red Mountain Pass. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! Roadtrip from SoCal to Mt Rushmore thru Colorado, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. If playing it safe during times of the year with bad weather is your goal, it might make sense to take the longer route down I-25 and on to US 160 at Walsenburg. Standard tickets are only $10 for adults, and this area also has a lot of great trails for hiking in the warmer parts of the year. The next best thing to do on a visit to Colorado Springs is to head up to Pikes Peak. Cars are unable to make it up the pass during winter weather on a regular basis. The Million Dollar Highway is just a small portion of the 236-mile San Juan Skyway, itself a section of U.S. Highway 550, which runs 305 miles from Bernalillo, New Mexico, to Montrose, Colorado . How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Durango? Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? I-70 has some gorgeous spots and does top out at about 11,000 ft when you pass through the tunnels near Loveland Pass. For more information, see our privacy policy. and Great Sand. The shortest way is to take Route 285 through to Route 160, which will take you past Buena Vista. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. Unless youre making this drive in the mid-summer months of June to August, its a good idea to travel with plenty of warm layers. Lodging for 2 nights in Estes park in mid May, Where to stay near Union Station if using Red Rocks shuttle. to La Plata County Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $195 for one-way flights and $295 for round trip, for the period specified. Those with a lot of time on their hands can hike or bike to the summit, which makes for a rewarding journey. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75890404', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pagosa Springs are the only 2 I hit along the route. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. In fact, winter weather is often the blame for the majority of delays and crashes. Read on for more about how best to plan for a trip from Denver to Durango with some opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and sightseeing along the way. Only United Airlines operates multiple direct flights a day from Denver International Airport (DEN) and Durango La-Plata County Airport (DOR), which is just 15 miles from downtown Durango. The picnic area is also nice for anyone who has packed food for the road trip in a cooler and might want to have lunch before getting back on the road. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. It might sound like a bad deal, but these tickets can be a little bit cheaper than United's direct flights and it's still faster than driving. Answer 1 of 6: My friends and I are coming from Europe to Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. That made for about a 70-mile loop of incredible mountain views! Apart from being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is where mountain biking got its start in Colorado. Drive from Durango to Denver 6h 33m $60 - $90 Shuttle to Durango, fly Take a shuttle bus from Durango Transit Center to Purgatory Plaza Fly from Durango (DRO) to Denver (DEN) 5h 16m $223 - $531 Shuttle to Telluride Regional, fly Take a shuttle bus from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO Fly from Telluride Regional (TEX) to Denver (DEN) 6h 12m $437 - $865 and leave at 3:05 pm. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. The scenic section that we refer to as the Million Dollar Highway is the 25-mile section between Ouray and Silverton, then from Silverton to Durango the scenic road technically becomes the San Juan Skyway. Head west on US-50 W for 60 miles, and then turn right onto CO-135 N which will take you to Crested Butte after 27 miles. Drive to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and on through Pueblo to Walsenburg where you'll take Hwy 160 west. When visiting Colorado Springs, 100% the number one thing to do is check out the Garden of the Gods. Theres not many other places where you can hike through desert-like dunes with snow-capped mountain peaks as your backdrop. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Hi Diane, The drive from Denver to Aspen takes about 4 hours (if there isn't a lot of traffic). Semi trucks stuck on I-25. This somewhat low-key park is simply jaw-dropping. Use this list as a springboard to get ideas for stops ranging from national parks and monuments to natural hot springs and quirky tourist attractions that youll find along the way. It is well located, there are a number of plush rooms available, and the breakfast included uses dairy products sourced from the propertys own goats! If youre looking to stretch your legs and get a good hike in while in Creede, the locals recommend checking out the Up and Over trail. Perhaps most amazing about this historic site is that the rock pinnacles for which Chimney Rock gets its name frame multiple astronomical alignment points. The highway is also notorious for serious semi-accidents and spin-outs due to its steep curvy descent. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. This one is best for families with kids, as there is an entire miniature town complete with painted and detailed buildings, a playground and park, a gift shop, and even an old steam train ride. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. Powerhouse Science Center, formerly the The Durango Discovery Museum, is an interactive science center located in Durango, Colorado. You can't get to Durango by train, but if you're looking for an old west experience, hop aboard the Silverton Silverlight Express. The river flows right through town and features fun, refreshing splashes from class I and II rapids. If youre looking for an all-in-one Colorado destination, Durangos definitely the place to be. Turn right on CO State Hwy 112 W for 13 miles until you reach Del Norte. Not quite what youre looking for? As with any hike or tour, just remember to bring plenty of water and some snacks along. It ends in Durango, Colorado. Stroll the shops, restaurants and hotels housed in Durango's preserved late-19th-century buildings and board the railroad for a super-scenic, 45-mile detour to Silverton. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Before heading out, visit cotrip.org for the latest road conditions and closures. I-70 is a major east-west Interstate highway in the United States that runs from Maryland through Colorado into Utah, stretching for 2,151 miles. Its a lengthy stretch, but it also takes you through some of Colorados most spectacular wilderness areas, adventurous mountain towns, and exciting cities. From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. While the route offers a fast connection to Winter Park from Denver, avalanches and snowslides often make winter travel on this route extremely difficult. Keep in mind though, it's an incredibly long ride because you'll need to travel out of your way to switch buses in Grand Junction. Mountain Goat Lodge This boutique bed and breakfast is an excellent option if youre after a bit of luxury while driving to Durango. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango is 800-232-4636. For photographers, taking photos of the sunset from atop one of the dunes is an unforgettable experience. As far as rafting day trips go, it doesnt get much easier or more fun than this! Answer 1 of 6: My friends and I are coming from Europe to Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. Well, thats it for this epic Colorado summer road trip. What about the altitude/Altitude sickness? From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. This drive is most densely populated with residential areas and small towns for about the first hour or so, but the rest is nothing but mountain passes, wide-open valleys, and National Forest areas, with the occasional town to break things up. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. If you drive that route without stops it app.takes 6 hours. See what its like to plow this dangerous road here. If you are traveling to Durango by bus, prepare for a long ride of at least 12 hours. The distance between Denver and Durango is 372 km. The direct drive from Colorado Springs to Durango is 313 mi (503 km), and should have a drive time of 6 hrs 20 mins in normal traffic.. From South Fork and US 160, take a right-hand turn onto US 149, also known as the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, for an unforgettable scenic drive to the town of Creede near the headwaters of the Rio Grande. It's said to be one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I assume you understand that any route you take will be. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our mailing list for discounts, special events, and more. This canyon has high walls and granite cliffs that have been carved out by the slow grind of time and the erosion forces of the Arkansas River. The road distance is 537.8 km. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. Raft trips in the canyon can be booked through several outfitters based out of Salida and the surrounding area, such as Browns Canyon Rafting, KODI Rafting, Noahs Ark, and several others. A third route (I-70 west, CO91 south, US24 south, US285 south, US160 west; this is through Leadville) is yet more scenic, partly because of its high mountain sections. Traffic on I-70. Here are some of the most worthwhile pit stops on the way from Denver to Durango: In Durango, you can marvel at the Anasazi ruins in Mesa Verde National Park, schuss down the slopes at Purgatory Resort, or go hiking through the San Juan National Forest. For us, one of the most fun things a first-time visitor can do is catch a show at, If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! The canyon walls are so steep that at least some of the canyon is always engulfed in shadow during the day, which is how the Black Canyon got its name. There is no direct connection from Denver to Durango. You might think about adding handicap information for some of the stops. The longer one (I-25 south, US160 west) involves faster driving and more traffic. The building opened in 1917, and served as a high school until 1976, after which it became the district administration building. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13124761', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver-Pagosa Springs via Colorado Springs and Walsenburg on I25 and us160 via Great Sand Dunes NP and Wolf Creek pass to Pagosa Springs. It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Thank you :) Afternoons can be hot and windy though. Each flight takes about an hour, so this is definitely the fastest way to get from Denver to Durango. Taking I-25 adds something like 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and will take you past the flatter, more populated areas of Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Problem is no-one knows what the weather will be then. Having a Jeep or other SUV or truck may come in handy if you plan on doing any venturing down the dusty National Forest access roads, however. Not to mention, its known as one of the most treacherous roads in the state. A direct flight will only take about an hour in the air, which will save you a lot of time. Aetna is Monarch Mountain Resort. Need we say more? If you're going on a road trip from Colorado Springs to Durango, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Pagosa Springs and top places to visit like . Error! Which route is the best? 172. Be sure to take a peek at Denvers Tourism website for other ideas of things to do. The alternate route out of Denver and straight down I-25 South is about 385 miles in total distance and will take drivers closer to six and a half hours. And good news for dog-lovers: pets are allowed on this trail but must be kept on a leash. From there, make a right onto US-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. If you're planning a road trip to Denver, you can research locations to stop along the way. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. No trip to the area should skip it in my opinion. They zoom past gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery at speeds up to 75 mph, burrow through the highest auto tunnel in North America, and switch back their way over two-mile-high Vail Pass. When you reach Del Norte, turn left onto CO-112 E for 13 miles until you reach US-285 N which youll follow for 64 miles. And if budget is a factor in your trip planning and you're looking for the cheapest way to travel, you could take a Greyhound bus to Durango. Michael Rosebrock / Shutterstock 7. The quickest flight from Denver Airport to Durango Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 19m. I took the highway and then 160 to get to Pagosa and it lasted 7 hours. Its actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver as its not far from the New Mexico border. 4. level 2. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We tackled this whole itinerary in 3 nights but you would be better served to spend at least double that amount of time. That's because Mapquest knows you drive fast Tet, lol!!! 5.5 hours of driving without stops. Although its fine to just drive through this small town, if you have an extra day or two on your trip, we recommend spending it in Pagosa Springs. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. PUBLISHED: June 26, 2012 at 3:07 p.m. | UPDATED: June 9, 2016 at 11:15 a.m. A three-day-old wildfire erupted with catastrophic fury . He has spent time in Costa Rica and has made numerous trips exploring the Western states of the Rocky Mountains. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. The drive time from Durango to Creede takes just under 2.5 hours. Yes, the driving distance between Denver to Durango is 538 km. If you don't have time to board the train, it's worth it to at least pay a visit to the railroad museum in Durango. You'll ride on a historic, coal-fired train that travels the same tracks as the miners, cowboys, and settlers who came to the Wild West did more than 100 years ago. Answer 1 of 6: My friends and I are coming from Europe to Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car.
