Durango

Durango, Colorado, United States

A town that exists because of the railroad. Founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880 to serve the San Juan mining district, Durango remains one of America's great living railroad towns, with coal-fired narrow gauge steam still departing its 1882 depot.

Railroad Identity

Home of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, in continuous operation since 1881 and a National Historic Landmark.

Ride

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad — A 45-mile coal-fired, steam-powered narrow gauge journey along the Animas River gorge between Durango and the mining town of Silverton, on track laid in 1881-1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway.

Stay

Strater Hotel — A landmark 1887 hotel in downtown Durango, two blocks from the narrow gauge depot, that has hosted rail travelers since the Denver & Rio Grande era.
General Palmer Hotel — An 1898 Victorian hotel one block from the Durango depot, named for General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway who platted Durango itself.

Explore

D&SNG Railroad Museum — Housed in the Durango roundhouse, the museum displays locomotives, rolling stock, and artifacts from the Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge era. Included with train tickets.

Events

Railfest at the Durango & Silverton — 2026-08-21 to 2026-08-23, Durango, Colorado — The Durango & Silverton's annual celebration of narrow gauge railroading, traditionally held in late summer with visiting equipment and special trains. Dates and program are set by the railroad — con…
Polar Express Train Ride (Durango) — 2026-11-20 to 2027-01-02, Durango, Colorado — The Durango & Silverton's winter Polar Express season, a holiday tradition aboard the narrow gauge. Exact dates and ticketing are announced by the railroad — confirm on the official site.