Durango in Fall: The Ultimate Travel Guide and Things to Do

Are you headed to Durango in the fall and looking for a travel guide to make the most of your experience? Then you are in the right spot.

I absolutely love fall, and Durango is one of the best places in the Southwest to experience a stereotypical autumn scene: stunning foliage, beautiful rivers, and a cute town.

But it can be quite hard to plan the perfect time to go so you can see peak fall foliage – and find amazing things to do at the same time.

Luckily for you, I have been to Durango in autumn in the past years, and I know all the best insider tips for a cozy holiday.

So without further ado, let’s get to it!

Best Travel Time to See Peak Fall Foliage in Durango

The best time to visit Durango for fall foliage is the end of September through the beginning of October. This is when the fall foliage is at its peak.

Fall foliage in Durango usually starts in mid to late September. You’ll get to see soft yellow colors in the beginning, and it gradually gets more and more exciting with each day.

In some places, especially higher up, the leaves start to turn earlier. At Molas Pass, you can sometimes see nice foliage even in mid-September.

By mid-October, many trees start to lose their leaves. Especially in the mountains, it is looking pretty bare toward the end of the season.

In the lower elevations, you get to enjoy the leaves a bit longer, but most of the color is gone by late October.

Insider tip: Keep an eye on the “Leaf‑o‑Meter” reports. This tool helped us to show up for the peak fall season.

Where To Find The Best Fall Foliage in Durango

To be honest, it is pretty easy to find amazing foliage in the entire area. But there are a few spots that were just a tiny bit more special, and I am totally up to sharing them with you:

🍂 Cascade Creek (Highway 550) – This drive was honestly the most magical way of seeing the foliage on our trip. It is absolutely full of bright yellow and orange aspen trees, so make sure not to miss out on it!

🍂 Lake Vallecito – I totally loved the contrast of the beautiful fall foliage to the clear blue water of this reservoir. It has lots of fiery aspens and cottonwoods around the shoreline, which makes it super pretty.

🍂 Highway 160 / Hesperus Area – If you are looking for richer reds and golds from aspens and oaks, then you should take this drive northwest of Durango.

🍂 Silverton (town & railroad line) – Make sure to take the famous Durango-Silverton historic train ride for the best views of fall foliage in the area. The train rides through a stunning mountain ridge and alongside the Animas River – and you won’t believe the views!

🍂 Million Dollar Highway – This is one of the most famous drives in Colorado. It is a 25-mile stretch of U.S. Route 550 in southwestern Colorado. It runs between the historic mining towns of Silverton and Ouray. It is part of the San Juan Scenic Byway, one of the prettiest drives in the Southwest.

Things To Do in Durango in Autumn

1. Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

This one is pretty obvious, since it is one of Durango’s most famous tourist attractions. Nonetheless, I can’t say it often enough how this day trip has put me in the ultimate fall mood!

First of all, the views from the train are amazing. You’ll follow the Animas River on a three-hour journey through stunning mountain ridges and alongside super steep drop-offs.

At the end, you’ll reach Silverton, a historic miner’s town nestled between some impressive mountains.

Make sure to sip some hot apple cider on the train – it is lovely!

2. Soak at Durango Hot Springs Resort

Floating in hot springs is definitely one of my wife’s favorite things to do – and the Durango Hot Springs Resort definitely did not disappoint.

There is nothing more relaxing than a warm bath outdoors on a crisp fall morning – don’t you think?

And as an added bonus to all that fall charm, the hot water is supposed to have healing properties as well! No wonder this is one of our favorite things to do in Durango in the fall.

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3. Hike the Animas River Trail

The Animas River trail is one of the most accessible places to see fall foliage in Durango.

You can start your walk right in the town center of Durango and follow the river for as long as you like. The foliage is so pretty, and the running water of the river made the walk even more enjoyable.

If you are lucky, you’ll even see the Durango steam train passing by during your hike.

4. Visit Mesa Verde National Park

One of my favorite fall activities in Durango is visiting Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde in fall is peaceful and golden – it truly is a vibe.

It also has way fewer crowds than summer, and the weather is comfortable for hiking and exploring.

There are some trees around the cliffs that turn warm shades of yellow and orange, making the ancient dwellings even more dramatic.

Plus, the sunsets over the canyons this time of year are absolutely stunning.

5. Rent a Cozy Cabin and Curl Up With a Good Book

Durango is the perfect place for a secluded cabin holiday in the fall. It is quiet, nature is beautiful, and fall is a relatively cheap time to travel to Durango.

We found a lovely cabin in the Purgatory Resort, with huge glass windows overlooking the valley and the fall foliage.

Nothing beats a day of quiet, curled up next to a fireplace with a good book and a hot beverage.

6. Take a Scenic Road Trip

Durango is packed with stunning drives in the fall, so taking a small road trip adventure to see some foliage should be on top of your list of Durango fall activities.

The Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Ouray is the most famous drive for sure. It will lead you through high mountain passes with glowing aspen forests all around.

Highway 550 north to Silverton is especially golden in late September, and it totally took my breath away.

For something quieter, try the La Plata Canyon Road. It will lead you through colorful canyons and meadows.

Highway 160 west toward Mesa Verde has beautiful views and lots of warm-toned cottonwoods -another great drive.

7. Visit a Fall Festival

Durango has a lot to offer, and it is no different in the fall. 

The cute town hosts a variety of festivals, events, and activities. Make sure to check the official Durango website for dates and info.

I recommend visiting the Durango Autumn Arts Festival, since it is so much fun! The Durango Cowboy Gathering is another great option.

There are also lots of pumpkin patches around. Make sure to stop by for some scenic pictures and to buy some local products.

Lastly, hop by the Durango Farmers Market every Saturday; it is one of the best fall activities in Durango.

8. Take Up Fall Photography

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, autumn colors always provide a magical backdrop for any type of shooting.

Fall photography is one of my favorite things to do because it gets you out into nature and makes you focus on the most beautiful little details.

Grab your phone or your camera and try it out, with all the beauty that Durango has to offer it can only turn out pretty!

Weather in Durango in the Fall

Fall in Durango goes from September through November, and it is a great time to visit, weather-wise as well.

Early fall (September) has lots of mild, pleasant days with highs around 77°F and lows near 49°F.

By the beginning of November, it cools to highs of about 43 °F and chilly nights around 24 °F, which is a little cozy.

There are a few rainy days in September and October, whereas in November, you can already expect the first snowfall (the grey bar in the graph).

Skies in fall are usually beautifully clear; September is one of the sunniest months of the year.