For the adventurous at heart, there is whitewater rafting and kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and so much more. For those seeking leisure and relaxation, there is boating and fishing at vallecito lake, scenic drives, gold-medal fly fishing on the animas river, and strolling down the animas river path through town. Furthermore, downtown Durango is a nationally registered historic district whose old storefronts boast eclectic cafes, art galleries, museums, shopping, award-winning restaurants, historic hotels, and the old Durango & Silverton narrow gauge railroad.
For those traveling with family, Durango provides endless activities that you can do together. From the Durango recreation center to the children's museum, from family friendly trails to mineral hot springs, and of course, the alpine slide, rock wall, mountain biking, and mini golf at Durango mountain resort during the summer months.

Durango area has over 500 retail stores providing everything form sport related products to southwestern art and jewelry. Begin your day of shopping by strolling main avenue, where you will find an abundance of one-of-a-kind stores and boutiques located between fantastic restaurants and specialty stores and you can end your shopping day by visiting our larger stores located in Durango mall and main avenue mall. The incredible San Juan national forest is located in southwestern colorado on the western slope of the continental divide. It covers an area from east to west.

Alpine lakes, canyons, cataracts, waterfalls, unusual geologic formations, historic mines and broad variations in elevation characterize this area.  Archeological ruins of the ancient pueblo people are preserved at chimney rock. The needle mountains, a paradise for mountain climbers and one of the roughest ranges in the united states, lie within the weminuche wilderness. Three of these peaks are over 14,000 feet above sea level. Within lizard head wilderness are three more peaks greater than 14,000 feet in elevation. These trails are accessible to foot and horse traffic only.