Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The railroad was completed in 1882 by the Denver and Rio Grande, built specifically to carry rich silver and gold ore down from the mines high in the San Juan Mountains around Silverton to the smelters and rail connections at Durango. Silverton sits in a bowl ringed by peaks, and the only practical way to move its ore was down the narrow gorge of the Animas River, so the line was cut through some of the most rugged terrain in Colorado.

The mines around Silverton produced a fortune in silver ore, and the town boomed with it, but mining is a boom-and-bust business, and the ore eventually played out. What saved the line was its scenery. Even as the freight dried up, tourists kept riding to see the gorge, and by the second half of the 20th century the railroad had reinvented itself as one of the country's premier heritage steam excursions, carrying passengers rather than ore.

The journey north from Durango follows the Animas River, and the drama builds as it goes. The valley narrows into a deep gorge, and at the stretch known as the High Line, the tracks run along a shelf blasted into a sheer cliff, hundreds of feet above the river below, with nothing but air on the downhill side. It is the single most famous section of the line and the reason the ride is unforgettable.

As the train climbs, the country changes with the elevation. Durango sits in high desert and ranch land, but the tracks rise steadily into forests of aspen, spruce, and fir, past waterfalls and cascades, and finally into the open, treeless high country near Silverton. In a few hours the ride carries you through several life zones, from cactus and juniper to alpine meadow.

The train's destination, Silverton, sits at roughly 9,300 feet in a high mountain valley ringed by peaks, one of the best-preserved mining towns in the West. Its wide main street of false-front buildings and its side streets of old miners' cabins look much as they did in the boomtown years, and the whole town is a National Historic Landmark. Passengers have time to walk its streets, eat, and browse before the return trip.

Silverton is also the high end of the famous Million Dollar Highway, the dramatic stretch of the San Juan Skyway that switchbacks over the passes toward Ouray. Whether you arrive by rail or road, the town offers a vivid sense of what it took to wrest silver from these mountains, and of the hardy people who did it.

Durango grew up around the railroad in the 1880s and still wears its Victorian roots proudly, with a downtown of ornate brick buildings, historic hotels, and a main avenue that leads straight to the depot. It has become a lively basecamp for southwest Colorado, drawing hikers, bikers, rafters, and skiers to the surrounding country, but it keeps the flavor of the railroad town it began as.

Beyond the train, the area around Durango is rich in things to do. The Animas River runs right through downtown for rafting and fishing, mountain-bike trails climb into the hills, and the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde and the mountains of the San Juan Skyway are within easy reach, making Durango a natural hub for a longer stay in the region.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a historic, coal-fired, steam-powered train that carries passengers on a spectacular journey through the rugged San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, between the towns of Durango and Silverton. Operating on a narrow-gauge line built in the 1880s to haul silver and gold ore, the railroad now offers a breathtaking scenic ride along the Animas River gorge, through wilderness and dramatic mountain landscapes reachable no other way. A beloved National Historic Landmark and a beautifully preserved piece of the Old West, this iconic train ride is one of Colorado's most memorable and scenic attractions.

The journey between Durango and Silverton takes several hours each way, with the train chugging behind a historic steam locomotive along the dramatic Animas River gorge, past towering cliffs, forests, and wilderness scenery, with narration and stunning views throughout. A round trip typically includes time to explore the historic mining town of Silverton before returning, and various classes of seating, including open-air cars, are available. The vintage steam experience and the spectacular, otherwise-inaccessible scenery make it unforgettable. The relaxed pace and beautiful mountain vistas make the ride itself the highlight, offering a magical trip through the San Juans.

Yes, because the railroad is extremely popular, especially in peak summer and fall foliage season, booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended and often essential, as trains can sell out, and choosing your class of seating and departure ahead ensures your spot. The schedule and route options vary by season, with different trips offered at different times of year. Checking the current schedule, ticket options, and availability before you go, and reserving early, is the key step to planning your ride on this beloved and often fully booked historic railroad.

Summer and early fall are the most popular times, with summer offering full service and lush mountain scenery, and fall bringing spectacular golden aspen color that makes the ride especially breathtaking, so those seasons are prime though busiest, requiring advance booking. Winter offers a scenic, snowy ride on a shorter route to a point along the line. For the classic full journey to Silverton and the most vibrant scenery, aim for summer or fall, booking well ahead, while winter provides a beautiful, festive alternative experience through the snow-covered San Juans.

The railroad connects Durango, a lively historic town with the Animas River and outdoor recreation, and Silverton, a high mountain mining town in the San Juans, and is within reach of Mesa Verde National Park, the scenic San Juan Skyway, and the town of Ouray to the north. That makes the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad a highlight to combine with Durango, Silverton, Mesa Verde National Park, and the stunning scenery of the San Juan Mountains on a visit to southwestern Colorado.