The Ultimate Guide To Rock Climbing In Durango Colorado

The rock climbing community in Durango is large, and while climbing is often not talked
about as much as other outdoor activities, it’s a super fun activity that anyone can do with plenty
of locations to do so.

Where should I go?

East Animas is a great spot for sport climbing. It’s a recommended spot for intermediate
climbers, and in the summer it is better to go when the sun is setting or rising due to it being
directly in the sun all day, making for a very hot and blinding activity.

Sailing Hawks is a great spot for bouldering and sport climbing. With options for
beginner, intermediate, and advanced climbers, it’s a great spot for anyone. It’s especially nice
in the summer since there are trees that block the sun on sunny days. It’s the most kid-friendly,
so the whole family can go.

Turtle Lake is similar to Sailing Hawks-perfect for any level and is compatible with both
bouldering and sport climbing. There is no hike to the routes compared to the others, being right
by the road it is very easy to find. Due to there not being a hike to find it, it’s your best bet if it’s a
rainy day or the terrain is wet compared to other locations where you might have to hike through
mud to climb.

X-Rock is better for sport climbing but has routes for any skill level. It’s perfect for any
time of day or weather with trees blocking the sun and heat and a short hike. Considered a
“staple” to the Durango climbing community, it is a must-visit.

Where can I rent gear?

The Rock Lounge is an indoor climbing space where you can climb, but also rent
climbing gear. They rent crash pads, ropes, shoes, and more, but if you’re looking for something
to purchase there are also a few options downtown at Backcountry Experience, Pine Needle
Mountaineering, and Gardenswartz Outdoor.

What else should I know?

Rock climbing can be tricky, so it’s important to know what might best suite your level.
Bouldering is the easiest; with few devices and little knowledge or experience required, it’s great
for beginners. All you need is a crash pad and shoes. Sport climbing can get tricky, as you need
rope, a belay device, a lot of knowledge, and another person. There are options for different skill
level locations for both of these types, but it is important to know that sport climbing will be
harder.
A piece of advice from a local climber is, if possible, go with someone who knows more
than you. This is very crucial if you’re just getting into sport climbing as it is more challenging.
Want more information on climbing in Durango?
The app Mountain Project is an extremely helpful tool. It is a well known app that gives
information on all of the climbing spots in and out of Durango. It is very helpful for locating
climbing spots like the ones I’ve listed as well as smaller ones too.

We do not recommend you do anything you feel unprepared for and are not professional
climbers, so before you go climbing make sure you read up on how to stay safe, have the right
gear, and have fun!
Hidden Gems in Durango - Shopping

When visiting another place, it’s always fun to set aside a bit of cash for souvenirs.
Whether you’re buying something for daily use, a fun reminder of the memories made, or a
present for someone else, there are plenty of great options right downtown so you can make a
day of shopping while exploring downtown Durango and supporting local businesses.

Book stores are a great space for exploring and can be a nice thing to visit if you’re
looking for a solo activity to take up an hour or so, or if you’re looking for something to grab to
occupy your free time.
If you’re looking for new books, Maria’s Book Shop is a great option. With a great staff
full of book lovers and an organized space, Maria’s is great to visit whether you’re just exploring
or looking for a specific title. Their posted recommendations in each book section are also great
if you’re not looking to have a conversation but want direction.
Yess the Book Hutch is another option for new books, but it is slightly smaller than
Maria’s. If you’re looking for a smaller space with less traffic, this is the place for you.
Southwest Book Trader is an entrancing book store, stacked with books floor to ceiling
with a set up that imitates a small maze as you work your way through. Although organized into
sections by genre, it is definitely a place where time flies by as you explore books. It’s a used
book store, and while this might turn some people away, second-hand book stores are perfect if
you’re not looking for a specific book and want to spend more time exploring. They’re also a fun
souvenir that isn’t typical and you can take a piece of Durango with you that locals have
interacted with.
Second Story Used Books is another quirky book shop to visit for used books. Hidden
through a series of stairs, hallways, and turns, it takes a minute to follow the signs to get there,
but it’s a nice little nook with spots to sit while you turn through pages.

If books aren’t your jam, there are plenty of clothing shops to visit if that’s your
thing. Whether you’re looking for Colorado apparel or merch specific to Durango, or just a cute
new addition to your closet, there are plenty of options for stores with new clothes and thrifted
ones.
Eureka Dan’s and The Sparrow are both medium-sized stores known for their
friendly environment and mountain city chic style. Lively (a Boutique) is similar to these stores
but also has soaps, lotions, and self-care products.
True Colorado Apparel is the hub for… well exactly what the store is
called-Colorado apparel. Shirts, mugs, hats, and more all repping the CO flag can be found
here.
Second Time Around is a consignment store downtown. It’s two stories,
organized, warm, and has clothes for men, women, and children.
 If you’re looking for something other than clothing, James Ranch Market is a great
option. They stock their market with products grown and produced by the James Ranch
families, and the region's regenerative farmers and artisans. All food products are organically
grown without synthetic chemicals, pesticides or herbicides, and are highly nutritious. Although
it isn’t downtown, it’s definitely worth the trip.

Another great place to shop is at Urban Market if you’re looking for a more typical gift or
souvenir, as they’re stocked with plenty of home decor items, small trinkets, and even furniture if
you’re shopping for yourself.

With lots of great stores and shops to stop at, you can find almost anything you could
want for a souvenir. These certainly aren’t the only stops though, so we highly recommend
spending the day downtown visiting all the shops you can and supporting local businesses.
National Parks Close Enough To Durango Colorado To Visit During
Your Stay

While there are plenty of activities in Durango, we are lacking when it comes to national
parks. Luckily, we are very close to plenty of national parks ranging in size and landscape that
are only a small road trip away.

Mesa Verde National Park is only a 30 to 40 minute drive from Durango, best to visit in
the spring or fall seasons. It’s well known for its preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
Filled with trails to walk, overlooks to visit, and museums to explore, to see and learn about the
archaeological history this site holds is definitely worth the trip.

Grand Canyon National Park is in Arizona, almost seven hours away. There are large
waterfalls, a railway (a good activity for kids and families), plenty of hikes, overlooks, and more.
A visit in the park could last a day or a week, so make sure to look into what activities best suit
your trip.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a large canyon holding a concentration of

pueblos. In northwestern New Mexico, it’s just over a 2 hour drive away. There is a campground
in the park, but it is usually full, so try to reserve space ahead of time.

Navajo State Park is just under an hour away from Durango and is great for families. The
center of the park has a large lake stretching 25 miles where you can swim, paddleboard, and
more, and has a dock and ramp for boats. You can stay on one of the many campgrounds, hike
on trails, or rent a boat for your trip.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is just over 3 hours away from Durango.
With dunes, waterfalls, lakes, wildlife areas, and more, there are plenty of activities to do such
as camping, hiking, offroading, and more.

Petrified Forest National Park is 4 hours away and has plenty of interesting things to
visit. There are museums, forests with trees that have multicolored trunks, hiking trails, pueblos,
and mesas with unusual rock formations.

Whether you’re looking for the next stop on your road trip, or you’re trying to find a day
activity, these are all great options. Make sure to always respect the spaces you visit so they
can be left for future generations, and have fun!
The Most Instagrammable Spots in Durango Colorado

When vacationing, the trip can get away from us and we can forget to take a picture or
two. “Pics or it didn’t happen” might be stressing you out and you just need something for
Instagram so here you are, the most Instagrammable spots in Durango, Colorado.

Murals are great if you’re wanting to take a photo of art in Durango or if you’re wanting a
good background for a picture of yourself.
At North Main Laundry there are not one, but two wolf murals. They are different styles
and on different walls so you might have to visit at different times to get the perfect lighting.
On North Main, on the side of Gateway Durango Reservations, there is a large mural
that simply reads “Durango”. It’s known for its “postcard style” design and it’s the perfect geotag
for your page.
Downtown there are multiple murals including one by El Rancho Tavern and one by Old
Tymers Cafe. They both add to the historical side of Durango, one depicting a bar fight scene
and one an old advertisement.
On the back of South City Market there is a colorful cartoon style mural with animals,
plants, and activities seen in Durango.

If you’re looking for something outside from art and want to get a better view, overlook
pictures are great and easy to find in Durango.
Rim Trail is a great hiking trail that starts at the bottom of Chapman Hill. Although this is
only one of the many trails in Durango with a good view, it’s certainly one of the best. If you’re
not looking for a hike, Rim Drive can be driven to get to Lion’s Den, a beautiful overlook spot
with a shade structure.
Purgatory is another great photo op in two ways. One, the drive up is gorgeous with
multiple spots to pull over and is especially gorgeous in the fall as the colors change on trees.
There is even a small natural hot spring that is fun to stop at to snap a pic and learn a bit about.
And two, the mountain itself is beautiful. Whatever season, the ski lift(s) provide a great
opportunity for photos and the ride to the top of the mountain can make for a great view of the
surrounding mountains and forests.

If those types of pictures aren’t what you want to spice up your Instagram, here are
some other options for quirky spots to snap a pic.
11th Street Station is a cute, industrial-chic food truck stop in Durango. It used to be a fill
station, then a tire shop, and some of the elements of the history of the location are used as
decor today. The front of vintage cars, old signs, and an old gas filling station could all serve as
a cute antique feature on your page.
Throughout Durango there are statues and structures done by local artists. Featuring
cyclists near Chapman Hill, horses by the train station, and some interesting moving structures
near the skate park and smiley building, there are 3D forms of art you can visit.
 Looking for something more simple? Bridges, although it may seem strange, can be a
great option for a portrait to be framed. It can help give the picture a bit of structure, and it’s fun
to play with shadows and colors. Plenty of senior and sport photos are taken under or on
bridges throughout the river trail.
While parks in general are nice for simple photos, Rotary Park might be the best. With
lots of trees, plenty of grassy space, and a beautiful white gazebo in the center, there are lots of
opportunities for a portrait photo.

We hope this list strikes some inspiration and you can find these spots and more. Tag us
@durangolikealocal on Instagram when you post your photos so we can see all of the amazing
parts of Durango you visited!
Spots to Workout

Durango is a very active place, and sometimes it seems like the only way to work out is
by going hiking or biking. While those are both fun and there are plenty of options for places to
go, sometimes it can be nice to switch it up a bit. Whether it’s not a great day to be outside, or
you’re just looking for something different, these spots are great for changing up your workouts.

If you’re looking for a CrossFit style workout, Durango CrossFit, The Vault, Catacombs,
and Bodo Athletics are all great options. With options for beginners or advanced individuals,
these are perfect for a high intensity workout.

Interested in a more traditional workout? There are four different gyms across Durango
with everything you might need. Fit 24/7, Anytime Fitness, and Illete Fitness are all great
options, offering classes as well as equipment for individual workouts, and prices for
memberships or a small fee for drop-ins. Summit Fitness is another option if you’re looking for
classes specifically where they connect you with a trainer in a more focused and directed
setting.

There are plenty of yoga studios if you’re looking for a calmer experience to get a sweat
on. Here are six of the best yoga studios of many in Durango.
Habit Durango is a yoga studio with focus on health and wellness. Their goal is to guide
you toward making healthier habits through your nutrition and exercise.
The Sweaty Buddha Hot Yoga Studio is one of the best yoga studios in Durango for hot
yoga.
4-Corners Yoga, Yogadurango, and Kaiut Yoga are all great spots for a more typical
yoga session. Sunrise Yoga is very similar to these, but goes from about 7-9 am-perfect if you’re
an early bird.

If you’re looking for the sweet spot between something high and low intensity, a dance
class might be your best option.
Durango Dance is a great studio for the whole family, as you can sign your kids up for
year long classes or drop into adult classes any day of the week excluding the weekend. They
offer different variations of barre classes (for adults and teens who can keep up), and a range of
classes for younger kids.
The Smiley Building, although not a dance studio, has many separate studio spaces in
which dance classes are often held. A variety of styles of dance including blast, ballroom,
yoga-dance hybrid, and more are offered. Unfortunately, the best way to find the best class for
you is to go to The Smiley Building and take a look at the large billboard with class listings.
Mataholla Moon Belly Dancers is a studio focused solely on belly dancing classes, with
the goal to explore the moods and mysteries of womanhood through expressions of dance.
 Multi purpose spaces that are also a great option are Durango Community Recreation
Center and Durango Sports Club. Both have a wide variety of gym equipment and multiple
courts for basketball, volleyball, racquetball, and more. While they both have pools and hottubs,
if you’re looking for something a little more family friendly, Durango Community Recreation
Center is the place to go. They have a large pool with water playgrounds for kids, a lazy river, a
hot tub, and a separate pool equipped with diving boards and swimming lanes. They also have
a track to walk or run and a climbing wall, and it is just a bigger facility overall.

None of these sound like something you want to spend time doing? Here are some other
options. Pilates Durango is a pilates focused studio that also works with barre, yoga, and body
rolling techniques. Jungle Gym is a gym with a fun atmosphere that offers obstacle course
training programs. Axiom Cycling Studio is a spinning studio where you ride indoor stationary
bikes with different resistance levels, following along to a playlist and led by an instructor.

As you can see, although hiking, biking, and skiing are all fun, they aren’t the only
options in Durango, and for some, they aren’t the best options either. Whether you’re a beginner
or advanced, looking for something long term or just a day activity, no matter the intensity you’re
looking for, there are plenty of options for anyone to choose from.
Group Friendly Spots in Durango, Colorado

Group activities always seem fun but can sometimes be kind of stressful to plan. The questions
of who can participate, will there be enough room, how long will it take… all come up when
thinking about what to do. With this list, you can have some ideas of activities or places to eat
that are great for groups.

11th Street Station

11th Street Station is arguably one of the best places to go when you’re wanting to go out with a
group. It is a food court set up with restaurants ranging in styles and a service station themed
bar. It follows an industrial-chic theme based on the history of the spot-an auto service shop-
with oil cans and hub caps lining the walls and windows serving the theme. There is an outdoor
seating set up, and it is a great spot for a group as it gives plenty of options for each individual
to chose from. Events are also held occasionally and it isn’t rare to hear live music during the
day, making it a fun spot no matter the time. It is open every day of the week with individual food
trucks’ hours varying.

Serious Texas BBQ South

Serious Texas BBQ South is one of the two popular Serious Texas BBQ restaurants in Durango,
and while it offers the same menu as the restaurant up North, the mini-golf course is what draws
you to it. It is a pretty landscape, a somewhat challenging course weaving through trees, rivers,
and rock formations. It is a great spot to take friends or family and is friendly for all ages.
Unfortunately, it is limited to the off-winter seasons, but it is definitely worth the visit from Spring
through Fall.

Conundrum escape rooms

If you’re looking for a brain-engaging activity requiring teamwork, Conundrum Escape Rooms is
the place to go. Offering three different themed escape room experiences, it is fun for family or
friends. Two of the escape rooms, The Lost Temple and The Steampunk Express, are for ages
eight and up with an hour-long duration and are available for groups from two to six people. The
third escape room, The Medieval Breakout, is more challenging for ages fifteen and up with an
hour-long duration and is available for groups from two to eight people. Children ages eight to
fourteen are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Sky Ute Casino Resort

While the casino aspect of the Sky Ute Casino Resort is what draws many, the bowling alley,
arcade, and mini-golf course are the family attractions. The Rolling Thunder Bowling Alley, with
a separate entrance, has 24 lanes, and is open seven days a week with varying hours. It is
connected to a small arcade with games for all ages. There is a small food spot offering finger
food style items, as well as sodas and other beverages. At the bowling counter, you can get all
the gear you need for the 18-hole miniature golf course located directly adjacent to the resort
and casino. The mini-golf course is open seven days a week starting April 1st.

With a playground next to the building as well, Sky Ute Casino Resort can be a family friendly
place and a great spot for big groups or even parties. Although it is thirty minutes from Durango,
located in Ignacio, it is definitely worth the trip if you want to do a low-pressure activity for a few
hours.

Get Fused

Get Fused is a small glass studio on Main Ave in downtown Durango. Their studio is a smaller
space, so smaller groups of two to six people might find it easier to fit here. When you visit you
can shop in their gallery or pay to create your own stained glass pieces. This is a better activity
to do if you’re visiting Durango for a while as it can take a week or two for them to finish your
glass creation and have it available to be picked up.

Organized Outdoor Activities

For when you just need to get outside, here are some places you can do fun activities outside
that aren’t just hiking, biking, and swimming.

Purgatory Ski Resort, although well known for the ski mountain, also has a ton of fun activities in
the summer including their Alpine Slide, Inferno Mountain Coaster, chairlift, and more.

Tico time River Resort is an RV park about 30 minutes from Durango. Although it is an RV park,
you can also visit for the day to partake in their offered activities of ziplining, bungee jumping, a
climbing wall, and more.

If you are interested in wild rafting or jeep tours, Mild 2 Wild is who you should book with. They
offer day activities as well as multiple day trips, so no matter how much time you’re looking to
spend, they likely have something to offer.

Chapman Hill and Skating Rink is a great spot for a group or even a party. In the summer they
offer roller skating in their indoor rink, and in the winter their rink is converted to an ice skating
rink. During the winter you can also go skiing or snowboarding, and they have a separate
section of the hill for sledding.