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In southwest Colorado, everything seems a little heightened: higher mountains, bluer skies and so many activities you’ll have a hard time choosing. Spending just a few days here will give you a taste of the glories of true Southwest living.

Spirit of the Southwest: Durango, Silverton & Pagosa Springs

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Volunteer or donate to the <a href="https://sjma.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/">San Juan Mountains Association</a>.

How to Give Back to These Special Places

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Experience the adventure of traveling by a historic steam-powered or diesel locomotive on the same tracks miners, cowboys and settlers of the Old West took over a century ago. Wind through spectacular and breathtaking canyons in the remote wilderness of the two-million-acre San Juan National Forest for an unforgettable journey.

Please note: The Durango &amp; Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is open and is running year-round.

<a href="https://www.durangotrain.com/cascade-canyon-winter-train#.X5cRi1NKi3I/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=sponsoredarticle">The Cascade Canyon Winter Train</a> and <a href="https://www.durangotrain.com/events/polar-express%E2%84%A2-train-ride#.X5cRxlNKi3I/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=sponsoredarticle">The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride</a> begin running mid-November. 

<a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/durango-silverton-narrow-gauge-railroad-train-colorado-backcountry-packages">Read more about adventures on the Durango Train.</a>

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum

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Climb aboard the Durango &amp; Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through remote wilderness to Silverton for lunch.

Take the Train to Silverton

Savor the flavor of our Wild West atmosphere in Silverton while enjoying some of the best grub around.

Handlebars Food & Saloon

1929 Mill. Witness first hand how the miners were able to extract gold, silver and base metals from the hard rock ores in this complete mill which processed gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper.

Mayflower Gold Mill

Enjoy handcrafted cuisine while stepping back in time in the ambiance of the Victorian Old West as we serve you an array of eclectic culinary specialties. Handcut Steaks, seafood, and vegetarian options. In-house sommelier, full-bar, great wine selection.

Mahogany Grille

If you're standing in the Diamond Belle Saloon, located in Durango, Colorado, you just may have stepped back in time. Revered as one of the most famous original ragtime piano bars in the Wild West, the Belle plays host to the world's finest ragtime entertainers.

Diamond Belle Saloon

THE OFFICE SPIRITORIUM, with its lavish and comfortable décor, can't really be called a bar, saloon, tavern, or lounge but a delightful office away from the office. We are proud to feature one of the best Happy Hours in town. Wine and Beer, Craft Cocktails, and appetizer selection.
DIAMOND BELLE SALOON plays host to the world's finest ragtime entertainers, while costumed dance hall girls and bartenders transport you back to the turn of the last century. Western author Louis L'Amour said the honky-tonk music helped 'set the mood' for his novels of the Old West. The Belle serves a wide variety of delicious lunch, happy hour, and dinner foods, and nightly live entertainment performed by local musicians.
MAHOGANY GRILLE is arguably one of the most unique steak and seafood restaurants in the west. We offer the ambiance of the Victorian Old West as we serve you an array of local traditional favorites and modern small plates. View our fine dining and wine menus at <a href="https://strater.com">www.strater.com</a>.
<a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/experience-strater-hotel-durango">Experience the Strater Hotel &gt;&gt;</a>
<a href="https://www.colorado.com/visit-durango-channel">Learn more about all there is to see and do in Durango &gt;&gt;</a>

Historic Strater Hotel

Quaint, long-running locale for traditional French breads, pastries &amp; meals amid antique decor.

Jean Pierre Bakery, Cafe & Wine Bar

Duranglers Flies and Supplies is the premier fly shop and fly fishing guide service in the Four Corners region.  Located in Durango, Colorado, we guide on the San Juan River Tailwater,  Animas, Los Pinos, Dolores, Rio Grande, Piedra, and high mountain creeks.

Duranglers Flies & Supplies

Breakfast and Lunch Sandwiches Bagels right next to where main meets the train.

Durango Bagel

Travel back in time and explore <a href="https://mild2wildrafting.com/jeep-trail-tours/silvertons-ghost-town.html">historic mining ghost towns</a>, majestic peaks, cascading rivers, tumbling waterfalls and Colorado's spectacular wildflowers on one of our beautiful <a href="https://mild2wildrafting.com/jeep-trail-tours.html">guided jeep tours</a>. You'll be glad you are not driving as neck-jerking views and fascinating scenery unfold outside our custom, open-air tour vehicle. Relax on our Colorado guided jeep tour while our professional guide interprets the surrounding history and navigates our tour vehicles on trails you would not want to take your own vehicle.  Tours depart from both <a href="https://mild2wildrafting.com/jeep-trail-tours/durangos-la-plata-canyon.ht">Durango</a> and <a href="https://mild2wildrafting.com/jeep-trail-tours/silvertons-ghost-town.html">Silverton</a> Colorado, range from a half day to a full day and include combination packages with a one way trip on the Durango &amp; Silverton Narrow Gauge Train on our <a href="https://mild2wildrafting.com/jeep-trail-tours/silvertons-ghost-town.html">Trails n' Rails</a> package (Jeep/Train).

Mild To Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours

We believe in simple, tasteful, authentic food with an atmosphere and price that feels good, warms the soul, and reminds you that some of the better things in life are quite simple.  Eat well.  Play hard.  Live long.

Zia Taqueria (South)

We offer award winning spirits made with all regional grains. White corn from the Ute Mountain Utes and grains from Alamosa complete our ingredient list. Our Tasting Room offers spirit samples and hand crafted cocktails. We look forward to sharing our spirits with you.

Durango Craft Spirits, LLC

The Rochester Hotel provides unique historic accommodations in the heart of downtown Durango, walking distance to shops, restaurants, activities and the Durango-Silverton Railroad. Stay in spacious king and double queen rooms decorated with an Old West motif inspired by Western movies filmed in the Durango area. Enjoy a glass of wine at the Rochester Hotel Bar and, from May–October, sit in the Rochester courtyard for our Wednesday-night concert series. Coworking and meeting space available at R Space with high-speed internet.

Rochester Hotel

Oscar's Cafe - A 50's style diner serving award winning breakfast and lunch. We are a family operated cafe for the last years. Voted a local's favorite!

Oscar's Cafe

With an untarnished safety record and our 33 years in Durango, Durango Rivertrippers &amp; Adventure Tours offers the safest, finest whitewater rafting and adventures in town. Whether you want to walk on water with a paddleboard, relax and take a guided Mesa Verde Tour with one of our experienced guides, or go solo in an inflatable kayak, there are plenty of things to do in Durango, Colorado.

Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours

Since 1986, Carvers has offered Durango the very best in food and beer.

Carver Brewing Company

The Pine River alternates between meadows and canyon, frequently flowing peacefully on the flat valley floor. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, the fishing is fantastic, and the turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). The trail continues to ascend, sometimes gradually and sometimes moderately.

Hike Pine River Trail in Vallecito Lake

Tradition, history, rustic elegance.

Ore House Restaurant

The Whiskey Biscuit is an industrial-chic restaurant featuring down-home American eats plus a large selection of whiskey and craft beer.

The Whiskey Biscuit

The Durango Diner-located on historic Main Street in Durango, Colorado, The Durango Diner has endured as one of the town's few landmark eateries,

Durango Diner

On your way to Pagosa Springs from Durango, stop at Chimney Rock National Monument to explore the Ancestral Puebloan archaeological site.

Head to Pagosa Springs

Chimney Rock Interruptive Association in partnership with the Forest Service would like to share with this amazing preserved archaeological site is located in the Southern edge of the San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado. You’ll walk in the footsteps of the fascinating and enigmatic ancestral Puebloans of Choco Canyon culture, following primitive pathways that haven’t changed for 1,000 years. 
Archaeological structures, abundant wildlife, and it’s setting in the breathtaking San Juan National Forest make Chimney Rock a must see. 
Chimney Rock covers seven square miles and preserves 200 ancient homes and ceremonial buildings. It is the highest in elevation of all of the Chacoan sites, at about 7,600 feet above sea level. The one third mile hike from the Mesa to the top is rewarded with dramatic 360-degree views. 
<a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/chimney-rock-national-monument-view-ancient-world"></a>

Chimney Rock National Monument

Kip's Grill started operating out of a caboose on the side of the Highway in Del Norte, Colorado in 1996. The goal was to create seriously fresh, handmade tacos with amazing flavors and provide our patrons with outstanding customer service.

Kip's Grill & Cantina

Tubing on the San Juan River in downtown Pagosa has become a “don’t miss” late summer activity.

Tube the San Juan River with Pagosa Outside

Serves lunch, dinner, drinks and coffee. Good for groups, kids, take out, walk-ins welcome.

Boss Hogg's Restaurant and Saloon

Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts offers performances and art gallery exhibits. Thingamajig Theatre is a professional nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre in residence within the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts producing musicals, comedies and dramas year-round.

Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts and Thingamajig Theatre

Relax and renew at The Springs Resort - hot springs capital of Colorado, with 25 natural geothermal soaking pools, located downtown Pagosa Springs. The Springs Resort is the perfect escape to soak your worries away. Offering a 79 room boutique hotel you are able to choose your perfect room from a standard king to a luxurious 2 bedroom suite.
Overnight guests of the hotel receive 24-hour access to our 25 soaking pools although day passes are available. Our soaking pools are fed by the ancient waters from the World's Deepest Geothermal Hot Spring. Discover your perfect pool with temperatures ranging from 87–114°F. You are sure to leave with a sense of renewal and rejuvenation, especially after a visit to our spa where we offer massages and facials.

There is a public entrance for non-hotel guests that may purchase daily and annual soaking passes. Please come ready to soak, but shower, towel and robe rentals are also available. *Swimming attire mandatory.

<a href="https://www.pagosahotsprings.com/?utm_source=CTO&amp;utm_medium=website">Book your stay now!</a>

The Springs Resort

The Rose diner in downtown Pagosa Springs has been a local landmark for three decades.

The Rose

LET IT FLY is a full service fly shop located in downtown Pagosa Springs Colorado. We are privately owned and operated, and we pride ourselves in customer service to the extreme.  At LET IT FLY, we pride ourselves in working with anglers of all levels.  From Beginner to Expert, Mark "Pops" Miller's inviting personality creates an atmosphere where you don't have to feel like the know it all.  Pops is a dedicated angler and fly tyer. He enjoys helping others see the true beauty of fly fishing.

Let It Fly

Located at the light, in the heart of downtown Pagosa Springs, The Peak Deli is your premier location for artisan crafted sandwiches, breakfasts, salads and soups.

The Peak Deli

Get ready to climb aboard for the flight of a lifetime, enjoying the enchanting sights and tranquility that can only be experienced from a hot air balloon. We may fly inches over lakes, a little higher over treetops, or up to 3000 feet for a panoramic view of 4 states.

Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures

Alley House Grille is the premier dining destination in Pagosa Springs offering an elegant but casual atmosphere featuring Global/Colorado style fusion cuisine.

Alley House Grille

Founded in 2013, Riff Raff Brewing Company opens in downtown Pagosa Springs, Colorado, in May 2013. The brewery is Pagosa Springs' first downtown brewery and features artisan ales handcrafted in Riff Raff's historic Victorian-era building.