Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Durango?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Durango?

Many visitors spend two to three days in Durango during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The small town offers the chance to wander through the small town, go hiking, admire the quaint atmosphere, and spend time at the museums.

Durango is a popular tourist destination for its Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train. It offers a scenic trip through the area's mountains and canyons. The town itself has a lot of charm and character, and nearby you'll find many hikes and outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Durango? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Durango?

Three days in Durango is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend about two to three days to explore the scenic town and beautiful mountains. Three days should give you enough time to wander through the small town, go hiking, admire the quaint atmosphere, and spend time at the museums. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your journey.

How to spend 3 days in Durango

The small-town atmosphere of Durango is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. This is a great small town with a railroad, art galleries, and breweries.

Durango is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Don't miss the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad during your trip to Durango, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Known for it's hiking, Durango sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Is 4 days enough time in Durango?

Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Durango, giving you the freedom to set your own pace while you explore the town and surrounding mountains. Enjoy the chance to wander through the small town, go hiking, admire the quaint atmosphere, and spend time at the museums on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel, take on some extra hikes, or use Durango as a hub for some nice day trips to nearby towns.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, Durango, Colorado The Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, Durango, Colorado

How to spend 4 days in Durango

If you have more than 4 days in Durango, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the small town has to offer.

Durango offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. It really doesn't get more charming than wandering around town before you take a ride on the railroad.

Is 5 days enough time in Durango?

Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Durango has to offer such as the scenic town and gorgeous mountains. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the small town charm, the hiking, the quaint atmosphere, and the famous sights and museums at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, especially for families. You can also take a day trip to nearby mountain towns if you're looking to explore further around the area.

How to spend 5 days in Durango

Having 5 days in Durango will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the small town.

This small town offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Mesa Verde Express Tour With Tickets To Cliff Palace ($149)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Durango, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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