Top 5 Durango Car Tours: Discover Colorado’s Charm

Durango, Colorado, sitting there in the southwestern part of the state, has almost become known as a spot packed with amazing views and historical spots, offering scenic drives that you might find pretty enjoyable. Whether you’re really interested in exploring old railways, driving along winding mountain roads, or just kind of seeing some fantastic scenery, Durango provides driving experiences that can show what Colorado has to offer. I thought I might suggest five car tours that really kind of stand out, offering a taste of the adventure and rich history that Durango is known for.

1. The San Juan Skyway: A Scenic Masterpiece

The San Juan Skyway, you see, could be one of Colorado’s most appealing scenic byways. That 236-mile loop basically takes you past the towns of Durango, Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride. Driving it could feel like passing through the heart of the San Juan Mountains, featuring sights that are quite breathtaking. The Skyway’s twisty mountain passes and alpine views makes you see what some of the state’s stunning landscape look like. What makes this even cooler, to me anyway, is that it brings together both natural and cultural sites so, it shows what Colorado used to be.

A major feature along the Skyway that often gets brought up is the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) that kind of connects Silverton and Ouray. Now, the name “Million Dollar Highway” seemingly comes from all kinds of stories: that it could have cost a million dollars per mile to build, or the ore extracted during construction was actually worth millions. Yet, others say the fill dirt that was used included million-dollar worth of ore. Parts of this road seemingly have no guardrails, with steep drop-offs that just add to the excitement of the trip, making it maybe one of the best drives in America, at least as far as drama goes. Taking on this part of the Skyway usually calls for cautious driving, though the views that surround you, very tall mountains and steep canyons, usually feel worth all the effort you’d put in.

Don’t just pass by these spots either. In Silverton, this little, well-preserved mining town will give you a peek into Colorado’s gold rush era. I hear there are train rides on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Then there’s Ouray, so very well named “Switzerland of America”, tucked into the San Juan Mountains, famous because people go there to ice climb and to check out some of the really neat hot springs. Last is Telluride, which might just be known best for being a great ski resort that becomes an incredible location when it stops snowing in the summer, great for music events. All these locations just contribute to making the San Juan Skyway a trip you probably don’t want to forget.

Read our full review: San Juan Skyway Durango Full Review and Details

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2. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Route (Highway 550)

For anyone interested in railroads, checking out the route of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad just beside Highway 550 has almost become a necessity. Going north out of Durango, Highway 550 mirrors the train’s path, providing lots of points where you might get a photo of the train that’s coming by so, its nice to take a short driving tour that has some of the best sights you can experience.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad kind of made a name for itself as a transport link back in the 1880s. Nowadays, that particular train continues, more or less for historical and sightseeing needs, sending people back to a time when rail travel and mining shaped the spot. Riding on the train is a unique kind of fun, with views only possible from that trail, but that doesn’t mean you should just let this pass just because you plan on taking the train. Now, driving some of these bits means that you will want to park in safe zones so that you have some perfect shots when the train comes through these mountainous views. The Animas River follows alongside it as you head up to Silverton which really makes the sights better as you take this scenic drive that captures why Colorado is known so well.

Silverton becomes your turnaround spot and there are these old mine spots so you can see a snapshot of the old West in Colorado’s mountain scenery. As you walk, what comes across is how things stayed around over the course of the years, like there’s just a clear link to the mining and railroad history. Basically you just hop out from the vehicle, spend some time in historic settings, get great snapshots, and so you kind of have to admire this road journey; both offer different perspectives that are nice and exciting when mixed.

Read our full review: Durango Silverton Highway Full Review and Details

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3. La Plata Canyon Road: An Alpine Adventure

For what seems like more of a remote alpine escape, consider the drive into La Plata Canyon. I can tell you it’s really west of Durango, and the route then brings you toward the peaks of the La Plata Mountains so it makes this just awesome in terms of sightseeing. It turns from pavement into gravel, this road really winds and twists so that you can see aspen forests, tall meadows, and views. So keep in mind this area has all different kinds of beautiful things, all for tourists or residents of Durango to view.

When I was just looking at this area, what came up often was that the canyon had mining operations back during the late 19th century. These historical undertones may offer additional layers of what one knows while sightseeing. Take an adventure up into places such as the Mayflower Mill or just see what sites remained of the old mining locations. And because La Plata Canyon might come off as more off-the-beaten-path spot versus your main highways, there usually seems to be opportunities just waiting around for hiking, biking and just a place you can enjoy nature, very remote for the typical visitors here.

Going for a drive through La Plata, Colorado means you just like that quiet. Colorado’s remote charm really makes it that spot where somebody can simply chill out and enjoy. Pack a meal with you, have some hiking gear, make sure the car or truck is ready. What tends to stick with someone is the amazing calm and Colorado’s nature.

Read our full review: La Plata Canyon Road Full Review and Details

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4. The Million Dollar Highway: A Thrilling Drive

Okay, so Highway 550’s bit named the Million Dollar Highway, which stretches between Silverton and Ouray, is what quite a few people may regard as Colorado’s most sensational drives. So I wanted to touch on this spot on its own, despite the San Juan Skyway that encompasses it, since it is that big. The road climbs up a steep grade, brings those very tight turns, and sometimes might come without guardrails which just ups the rush when behind the wheel. Many Colorado vacationers know about it as much for those hair-raising drives to the vistas it is praised for and it might be the most fun to do so safely.

It’s often mentioned that you see panoramic views here, which include seeing how the Uncompahgre Gorge might appear if you were on top and the peaks in the San Juan Mountains too. Near every turn on the way, what stands out usually includes sheer canyon walls and alpine forests, something many would think symbolizes Colorado’s outdoors. So don’t hurry through the scenic spot.

Just maybe you should know that roads on this trip sometimes come with challenging bits and parts where some construction usually happens. Just before you drive, check road situations; during colder times these roads often close at least briefly. Nevertheless, for drivers and adventure people, just driving the Million Dollar Highway provides that peek that’ll maybe show exactly how raw natural beauty works near southwest Colorado. Even now, it’s probably among one of the best drives you’ll think you ever took.

Read our full review: Million Dollar Highway Colorado Full Review and Details

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5. Dolores to Rico: A Taste of Southwest Colorado

A rather wonderful but so well kept drive leads toward the southwest region in Colorado; so I think people will really have an amazing drive out toward Dolores, leading toward Rico. Not just that; but this journey usually allows all sorts of awesome viewpoints, especially how Colorado shows both natural beauty coupled with a glimpse into local stories and old times. Just beyond Dolores – resting close by McPhee Reservoir which turns into a favored spot used for boat riding, fishing too – lies the landscape for the canyon region with many views one cannot simply afford going by sans glimpse toward.

Rico, almost seen as the mining region – has that backdrop given from the San Juan Mountains; the spot alone had much history with the older mining that Colorado came to know well with; its main draw remains the well cared structures coupled among natural mountainous views. When one takes the route, maybe expect gorgeous perspectives all given beyond your vehicle panel from far reaching high altitude plateaus so its common views feature all sorts of mesas, vast farm properties plus hills toward mountain heights far in eye vision.

Stopping toward a location near Dolores and also at Rico provides great peeks directly into what southwest Colorado provides so perfectly from just small historic locations to landscapes both broad reaching also quite intense from above altitude that shows very different to typical sights beyond Colorado ground. I typically think that to see an attraction from what Southwest Colorado presents so excellently from the comfort when on wheels feels just right. From historic attractions for local landscapes the adventure makes its own worth whether through nature’s tranquility towards local culture experiences — makes you stop before forgetting your Colorado drive. I have never done this specific ride however other individuals really tend to cherish trips quite similar toward being highly recommended from yours actually once I ask on that route personally while discussing locations throughout Colorado.

Read our full review: Dolores Colorado Scenic Drive Full Review and Details

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