Southwest Colorado
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Southwest Colorado - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Big B's Delicious Orchards
This lovely orchard 1 mile west of Paonia markets its own organic apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums throughout the summer. You can pick them yourself, along with a variety of other produce, or buy them in the shop in the form of homemade organic juices or hard cider; you'll also find local wines, art, honey, and more. The café serves tasty sandwiches, salads, and Colorado-style Mexican entrées that can be enjoyed indoors or out. There's live music outdoors on many summer evenings, and kids will keep themselves entertained on the variety of tree swings. Camping is also available.
39126 Rte. 133, Colorado, 81419, USA970-527–1110Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Dec.–Mar. -
2. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Spread across 176,000 acres of arid mesa and canyon country, the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument holds more than 20,000 archaeological sites, the greatest concentration anywhere in the United States. Some sites, like apartment-style cliff dwellings and hewn-rock towers, are impossible to miss. Others are as subtle as the remains of agricultural fields, springs, and water systems. They are powerful evidence of the complex civilization of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Lowry Pueblo, in the northern part of the monument, is a 40-room pueblo with eight kivas (round chambers used for sacred rituals). Its Great Kiva is one of the largest known in the Southwest. Exploring the monument area can be a challenge: roads are few, hiking trails are sparse, and visitor services are all but nonexistent. The visitor center, which is also a museum, is 3 miles west of Dolores on Route 184. The best bet is a guided hike with the nonprofit Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance ( www.swcocanyons.org/tours).
27501 Rte. 184, Dolores, Colorado, 81321, USA970-882–5600Sight Details
Rate Includes: Monument free; museum $3 -
3. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The most entertaining way to relive the Old West is to take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a nine-hour round-trip journey along the 45-mile railway to Silverton. Travel in comfort in restored coaches or in the open-air cars called gondolas as you listen to the train's shrill whistle. A shorter excursion to Cascade Canyon in heated coaches is available in winter. The train departs from the Durango Depot, constructed in 1882 and beautifully restored. Next door is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, which is free and well worth your time.
479 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado, 81301, USA970-247–2733Sight Details
Rate Includes: $91–$199 -
4. Four Corners Monument
This interesting landmark is located about 42 miles from Cortez, 65 miles southeast of Bluff, and 6 miles north of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. The Four Corners Monument Navajo Tribal Park is owned and operated by the Navajo Nation. On the Colorado side is the Ute Mountain Ute of the Corners. Primarily a photo op, you'll also find Navajo and Ute artisans selling authentic jewelry and crafts, as well as traditional foods. It's the only place in the United States where you can be in six places at one time: four states and two tribal parks meet at one single point. Bring plenty of water.
Four Corners Monument Rd., off U.S. 160, Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, 86514, USASight Details
Rate Includes: $8 -
5. Million Dollar Highway
Ouray is also the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway, the awesome stretch of U.S. 550 that climbs over Red Mountain Pass (arguably the most spectacular part of the 236-mile San Juan Skyway). As it ascends steeply from Ouray, the road clings to the cliffs hanging over the Uncompahgre River. Guardrails are few, hairpin turns are many, and behemoth RVs seem to take more than their share of road. This priceless road is kept open all winter by heroic plow crews.
Ouray, Colorado, 81427, USA -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Purgatory Resort
Purgatory does summer better than just about any Colorado ski resort, especially for kids. Activities include a mountain coaster, frisbee golf, an alpine slide, a family-friendly ropes course, a short zip line, pony rides, bungee trampolines, an airbag jump, lift-served hiking and biking, and, of course, the obligatory climbing wall and minigolf course.
1 Skier Pl., Purgatory, Colorado, 81301, USA970-247–9000Sight Details
Rate Includes: $79 for 10 activities, $59 for 5, or choose à la carte pricing. Subject to change -
7. San Juan County Historical Society Mining Heritage Center
This large, well-kept museum houses an assortment of mining memorabilia, minerals, and local artifacts, including walk-in mining-tunnel replicas. The museum also includes the old San Juan County Jail, built in 1902. Here you can get a glimpse of turn-of-the-20th-century life in the region.
1557 Greene St., Silverton, Colorado, 81433, USA970-387–5609Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed mid-Oct.–late May -
8. San Juan Skyway
One of the country's most stupendously scenic drives, the 236-mile San Juan Skyway weaves through an impressive series of Fourteeners (peaks reaching more than 14,000 feet). From Telluride, it heads north on Route 145 to Placerville, where it turns east on Route 62. On U.S. 550 it continues south to historic Ouray and over Red Mountain Pass to Silverton and then on to Durango, Mancos, and Cortez via U.S. 160. From Cortez, Route 145 heads north, passing through Rico and over lovely Lizard Head Pass before heading back into Telluride. In late September and early October, this route has some of the state's most spectacular aspen viewing.
Telluride, Colorado, USA -
9. Telluride Historical Museum
Housed in the 1896 Miner's Hospital, the Telluride Historical Museum hosts exhibits on the town's past, including work in the nearby mines, techniques used by local doctors, and an 860-year-old Native American blanket. It is one of only six Smithsonian-affiliated museums in Colorado.
201 W. Gregory Ave., Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA970-728–3344Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7, Closed Sun., Mon., May, and Nov. -
10. The Colorado Trail
Junction Creek to Gudy’s Rest Junction Creek is the southern terminus for the Colorado Trail and one of Durango’s best trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Located just 4 miles or so from downtown, this 8-mile out-and-back day hike rises and falls at a relatively gentle grade, so it’s achievable for most hikers. The trail eventually winds its way up to Gudy’s Rest, named after Gudy Gaskill, the “Mother of the Colorado Trail.” This high spot is a great place to sit and take in the views of Durango and the San Juan Mountains. Instead of hiking all the way up to Gudy’s Rest, you can make the hike a 5-mile round-trip by turning back at the wooden footbridge, which is a great goal for first-timers.
Durango, Colorado, USA -
11. The Springs Resort and Spa
In a beautiful setting overlooking the San Juan River, the Springs Resort draws from the Guinness World Record–verified deepest geothermal hot spring to heat its 24 outdoor pools, ranging in temperature from 89ºF to 114ºF. The multitiered layout includes several waterfalls; a large, cooler-water swimming pool; a jetted tub; a goldfish pond; and plenty of lounge chairs and shaded tables for taking breaks from the steamy pools. There is also a full-service spa on-site.
323 Hot Springs Blvd., Pagosa Springs, Colorado, 81147, USA866-338–7404Sight Details
Rate Includes: $59 -
12. Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
The only way to see this spectacular 125,000-acre park, located inside the Ute reservation, is by taking a guided tour. Expert tribal guides lead strenuous daylong hikes into this dazzling repository of Ancestral Pueblo ruins, including beautifully preserved cliff dwellings, pictographs, and petroglyphs. There are also less demanding half-day tours, as well as private and custom tour options. Tours meet at the Tribal Park Visitor Center at the junction of U.S. 160 and U.S. 491, 20 miles south of Cortez.
U.S. 160/491, Cortez, Colorado, 81334, USA970-565–9653Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $15, Closed Sun. and major tribal and national holidays, No pets allowed -
13. Alpine Loop Scenic Byway
The inspiring 63-mile Alpine Loop Scenic Byway joins Lake City with Ouray and Silverton. The road, typically open late May or early June through early October, has unpaved sections that require a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle. Dizzily spiraling from 12,800-foot-high passes to gaping valleys, past seven ghost towns, the trip is well worth the effort.
Lake City, Colorado, USA -
14. Animas Overlook Trail
If you're looking for a great view without the effort, try the ¾-mile Animas Overlook Trail. It takes you past signs explaining local geology, flora, and fauna before bringing you to a precipice with an unparalleled view of the valley and the surrounding Needle Mountains. It's the only wheelchair-accessible trail in the area. From town, it's a 45-minute drive up Junction Creek Road.
Durango, Colorado, USA -
15. Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour
On this hour-long tour, visitors trek 1,500 feet into one of the region's great silver mines. Tour guides are actual miners and they explain various mining techniques and point out remaining silver veins and other mineral deposits. Tours depart every hour, and light jackets are wise year-round, as it's chilly in the mine. Gold-panning lessons in the adjacent stream are included in the tour price. On summer weekends, come early for a tasty, inexpensive breakfast.
1222 County Rd. 14, Ouray, Colorado, 81427, USA970-325–0220Sight Details
Rate Includes: $18.99, Closed Nov.–May -
16. Box Cañon Falls
One particularly gorgeous jaunt is to Box Cañon Falls, where the turbulent waters of Clear Creek thunder 285 feet down a narrow gorge. A steel suspension bridge and well-marked trails afford breathtaking views. Birders flock to the park to see the rare black swift and other species, and a visitor center has interpretive displays.
Ouray, Colorado, 81427, USA970-325–7080Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Closed Nov.–Apr., No pets allowed -
17. Chimney Rock National Monument
About 16 miles west of Pagosa Springs, Route 151 heads south to Chimney Rock National Monument. Twin spires of rock loom over the ruins of more than 100 homes and ceremonial buildings built about 1,000 years ago on a high mesa. The area offers self-guided walking tours of the two trails affording access to the archaeological sites. The Great House Pueblo Trail is short, but steep and exposed, so bring plenty of water. The Mesa Village Trail loop is paved and mostly level.
Off Rte. 151, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, 81147, USA970-883–5359Sight Details
Rate Includes: $16 tour, Closed Oct.–mid-May -
18. Christ of the Mines Shrine
If you look north toward Anvil Mountain, you'll see the Christ of the Mines Shrine, the centerpiece of which is a 12-ton statue of Jesus carved out of Italian marble. The shrine was erected in 1959 and has been credited with a handful of miracles over the subsequent years. A moderately strenuous 1-mile hike leads to the shrine, which has memorable views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains.
Silverton, Colorado, USA -
19. Cortez Cultural Center
The cultural center has exhibits on regional artists and Ancestral Pueblo culture, as well as events and fairs. Summer evening programs may include Native American dances and storytelling.
25 N. Market St., Cortez, Colorado, 81321, USA970-565–1151Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. -
20. Creede Historical Museum and Library
Occupying the original Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot, the museum paints a vivid portrait of the town's rough-and-tumble early days. It also includes World War I and World War II exhibits.
15 Main St., Creede, Colorado, 81130, USA719-658–2004Sight Details
Rate Includes: $2, Closed Oct.–late May and weekdays in Sept.
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