21 Of The Best Things To Do In Durango In Summer

Planning a summer visit to Durango? This historic town sits on the Animas River in a stunning mountain setting, offering a surprising number of activities. From outdoor attractions and national parks to museums and breweries, there’s tons to do here.

As a Colorado resident, I’ve been fortunate to visit this gorgeous town more times than I can count, and most visits have landed in summer.

These are some of my favorite things to do in Durango in summer.

The Best Things To Do In Durango In Summer 

Explore Historic Downtown Durango

Downtown Durango is a nationally registered historic district where you’ll find boutique shops, dining, museums, and laid-back nightlife options.

Durango’s museums and art galleries showcase everything from the modern and science-forward, to the region’s rich Native American, railroad, and mining histories. 

The highest concentration of attractions can be found along historic Main Ave, roughly from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Durango Depot to 14th Ave.

You’ll want to spend at least one afternoon exploring the heart of Durango.

Walk Or Bike The Animas River Trail

During summer in Durango, bike or take a walk along the Animas River Trail.

The paved trail runs along the Animas River and portions of the Durango Silverton Train line for 9 miles, and can be accessed from downtown.

I followed this path for a few miles south of the downtown area, stopping to watch the rafters, and enjoying the scenery along the way. The Whitewater Park is an especially fun spot to people-watch.

When you’ve had your fair share of exercise, grab a beer at the Animas River Beer Garden, located in downtown Durango just off the bike path.  

Durango Farmers Market

The Durango Farmers Market is a popular activity on Saturday mornings May – October.

Over 200 vendors offer locally grown produce, artisanal foods, handmade crafts, and more.

Beyond shopping, the market regularly hosts special events such as live music, cooking demonstrations, and educational booths.

Best of all, the market is centrally located in downtown Durango, making it a great place to stop by during your summer visit to Durango.

Tip: You may also like the Durango Flea Market, held Sundays during summer.

Go Whitewater Rafting On The Animas River

The rushing water of the Animas River is perfect for whitewater rafting, so it’s no surprise this is an extremely popular activity and one of the best things to do in Durango.

Tours range from 2 hours to full day excursions. Most companies offer packages such as rafting combined with zip-lining or jeep tours.

There are many reputable rafting companies in Durango. Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep tours is a great option, they are highly rated and have been voted the “best rafting company” by USA Today.

You can book your Durango rafting tour here: Wild to Mild Rafting & Jeep Tours.

No matter which company you choose, this is a great way to add some adventure to your vacation.

Relax At Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa

The Durango Hot Springs are a great spot to relax after a full day of activities.

The resort offers over 30 natural hot spring pools at varying temperatures, all on beautifully maintained grounds with gorgeous views.

Here you’ll also find a sauna, cold plunge, resort-style pool, and reflexology path, in addition to full spa services. 

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde is one of Colorado’s four national parks, and is located less than an hour from Durango.

The park is comprised of ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites dating back to 550 AD. This is not only a national park, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest archaeological preserve in the United States!

It’s really an incredible sight and a unique feature to the area.

Most park sites can only be viewed from a distance, unless you join a ranger-led tour, which I highly recommend! The tours are immersive and unique, providing a glimpse into the former lives of the ancient Pueblo people.

Balcony House, Cliff Palace, and Long House are the most popular tours, each last about an hour, and involve quite a bit of walking and some ladder climbing. Park tours need to be booked in advance at Mesa Verde National Park Tours.

11th Street Station Food Trucks

11th Street Station is a food truck hub centered around a former auto repair shop turned bar in downtown Durango.

This is a really popular spot to grab dinner, have a few drinks, and enjoy an evening with friends. They also host live music and a number of events throughout the year.

You’ll definitely want to stop by during your summer visit to Durango.

Drive The Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Ouray

The Million Dollar Highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in the United States. The famed portion of this stunning drive stretches 25 miles along US 550 between Silverton and Ouray, which is located near Durango.

Driving from Durango to Ouray will take about 1.5 – 2 hours in each direction. However, you’ll want to allow more time for stops, plus time to explore the towns of Silverton and Ouray. The drive is incredible and absolutely worth the time!

Just be sure the weather is clear of rain or snow, and that you have an experienced driver comfortable with heights. The stretch just south of Ouray is characterized by hair-pin turns and steep drop offs with no guardrails.

For more information, check out Driving The Million Dollar Highway Stops: Everywhere I Stopped.

Pinkerton Hot Springs

On Highway 550, just outside of Durango, you’ll find quirky roadside hot springs. The free springs are very small (and actually cold) but are so funky looking, they’re definitely worth a stop.

Pinkerton Hot Spring is located on the east side of the highway, so it’s easiest to access when leaving Durango and heading to Ouray. There’s a small sign and a pull-off with a decent amount of parking. It comes up quick and is hard to spot at first, so be sure to put it in your GPS.

Powerhouse Science Center 

The Powerhouse Science Center is centrally located downtown on the Animas River in a beautifully renovated steam-powered AC generating plant.

The museum has highly interactive displays and traveling exhibits dedicated to science and STEM education. This is a perfect place for families and science-lovers to spend an afternoon in Durango.

Powerhouse Science Center (formerly the Durango Discovery Museum) hours vary and tickets can be purchased online in advance. 

Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 

Durango’s most iconic attraction is undoubtably the Durango Silverton Train. This bucket list-worthy trip takes you on a historic steam train along the winding Animas River while overlooking the San Juan National Forest.

The ride stops in the tiny mining town of Silverton, where you can shop, dine, and take in the sights.

This tour takes a full day, but is definitely worth it. However, if you’re low on time, there’s also a half-day option which stops in Cascade Canyon instead.   

Following your excursion, stop by the free D&SNG Museum for more information about the railroad history in Durango. 

For lots more information, be sure to check out my detailed guide: Durango Silverton Train: Everything You Need To Know.

Summer Concert Series In Durango

Looking for live music this summer? Durango has a few summer concert series options. Grab a blanket, lawn chairs, and your closest friends for outdoor live music on summer evenings in Durango.

Concert Hall at the Park hosts concerts on Thursday nights through summer, and Powerhouse does Wednesday night concerts June through mid August.

You’ll also find live music at summer events like 4th of July Celebration, Party In The Park, and Music In The Mountains.

Golf

There’s no better way to enjoy a sunny day in Durango than hitting a tiny white ball ever closer to that far-off hole in the ground.

Hillcrest Golf Club and Dalton Ranch Golf Club are your public course options here. In addition to excellent views, both have a restaurant and bar for post-round drinks and food, and offer “twilight” times, which are great for particularly hot summer days.

Go For A Hike Near Durango

The surrounding San Juan Mountains offer some of the best hiking in Colorado.

Hikers of any level can explore a portion of the famed Colorado Trail, a 567 mile hike that stretches from Durango to Denver.

Lake Nighthorse Trail, Adrenaline Falls, Smelter Mountain Trail, or Falls CreekTtrail are also great for hikers of varying skill levels. Check out AllTrails for more hikes near town.

Advanced hikers, consider Ice Lake, one of the most stunning hikes in the state of Colorado. At just under 9 miles round trip, and with a staggering 3,000 foot elevation change, it’s not for the inexperienced.

Additionally, Chicago Basin, a 15 mile, multi-day hike is another gorgeous option for advanced hikers.

Looking for a trail right in town? Check out Animas Mountain Loop, which offers great views of the town and surrounding mountains. Best of all, its trailhead can be found downtown.

Visit A Brewery

Colorado is well known for its breweries, so grabbing a local craft beer is a must for many visiting the state.

Luckily, Durango has lots of good options!

Most Durango breweries offer a long lineup of beers, from light pilsners to hoppy IPA’s, alongside a delicious food menu.

Steamworks Brewing Company, Ska Brewing Co., Animas Brewing Company, and Carver Brewing Co. are your brewery options in Durango.

Keep an eye on their event calendars, most offer various entertainment options, specials, or live music.

Rather skip the beers? Check out EsoTerra Ciderworks for local ciders, or the local distillery, Durango Craft Spirits, for craft bourbon and vodka.

Durango Arts Center

The Durango Arts Center is a wonderful community center for both locals and visitors. They offer a huge array of programs, including art exhibitions, theater productions, film screenings, and educational workshops for kids and adults.

Stop by one of their exhibits, which rotate throughout the year, or keep an eye on their events calendar for upcoming shows and special events: Durango Arts Center Events.

Most gallery exhibits are free, events and classes vary in price.

Go Biking

In summer, this mountain town transforms into a biker’s haven, with a huge variety of routes in the region. 

Hit the ever-popular Purgatory Resort for lift-accessible downhill trails, or ride mountain bike routes like Spur Line, Engineer Mountain, or Hogsback.

Paved trails for road cyclists are ample as well. Of course, there’s the famous Million Dollar Highway, but there’s also less terrifying routes such as Baker’s Bridge Loop, Lake Nighthorse, and Wildcat Canyon Loop.

The town of Durango has a healthy selection of bike outfitters with a variety of rentals for those who need them.

Visit Purgatory Resort 

Purgatory Resort is a popular skiing destination just 30 minutes north of Durango, and as mentioned above, is much-loved for mountain biking in summer.

But whether or not you plan to bike, there’s still quite a bit to do here in the warmer months. They have a mountain coaster, alpine slide, scenic chairlift rides, paddle boarding, dining, and lots of summer events.

For more things to do, check out Purgatory Ski Resort Things To Do In Summer.

Summer Events In Durango

The people of Durango do not shy away from a good time, which is evident by their huge lineup of summer events.

Just about every summer weekend, and many weeknights, have something fun going on. These are a few of the top events happening this summer in Durango:

• True Western Roundup Rodeo
• Durango First Friday Art Walk
• La Plata County Fair
• Music In The Mountains
• 4th of July Celebration
• Animas City Night Bazaar
• Durango PlayFest
• The Animas City Night Bazaar
• Christmas In July Holiday Market
• Buckley Park Arts & Crafts Festival
• Annual Party In The Park
• San Juan Brewfest

For a full list of summer events, head on over to Historic Downtown Durango Summer Events.

Nighthorse Lake

Hoping to enjoy a lake day this summer? Nighthorse Lake is one of the area’s best spots for water recreation in summer.

The 1,500+ acre reservoir is open to swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, and SUPing, there’s even a floating waterpark, Wibit Aqua Park.

Located just minutes from downtown, this is the perfect spot to cool off in Durango this summer.

If you’re willing to drive a bit outside of Durango, you’ll find more lake options like Electra Lake, Haviland Lake, Turner Lake, and more. Just keep in mind, recreation rules vary at each.

Day Trip From Durango

Durango is situated in a unique location, at the meeting point of mountains and desert. It’s also in an area that was once bustling with Native American activity. So there’s a huge variety of day trips, all of which vary dramatically.

If visiting for an extended period, consider venturing out to explore the surrounding area. A few popular day trips from Durango include:

• Ouray
• Telluride
• Silverton
• Moab
• Arches National Park
• Monument Valley

For more ideas, check out the Top Day Trips From Durango.

Durango, Colorado Summer Weather

Durango is quite hot considering it’s a mountain town. Highs in the mid to upper 80°F’s are common, but it’ll often feel warmer than the thermometer indicates due to the harsh sun at this high altitude.

Afternoon monsoon storms are common throughout summer. These storms are intense but brief and often move in very quickly. 

Average Summer Temperatures In Durango:

• May – 71° / 36° (High / Low F°)
• June – 82° / 43°
• July – 87° / 51°
• August – 84° / 49°

As you can see, there are so many incredible things to do in Durango in summer! I hope you enjoy your time in this beautiful region of Colorado.

Looking for a Durango summer weekend itinerary? Check out my Durango Weekend Itinerary For Summer.

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Durango and Colorado guides or head on over to Visit Durango!

More Information For Your Durango Vacation:

• Durango Weekend Itinerary For Summer
• One Day In Durango Itinerary
• Durango Silverton Train: Everything You Need To Know
• Purgatory Ski Resort Things To Do In Summer
• Day Trips From Durango, CO
• Hotels In Durango: Top Places To Stay
• All Durango Guides

More Information For Your Colorado Vacation:

• Best Colorado Mountain Towns To Visit In Summer
• Top Colorado Mountain Towns For First-Time Visitors
• Best Colorado Cities & Regional Hubs For Visitors
• Colorado Travel Guide (everything you need to know!)
• All Colorado Guides