Fly Fishing: This is one of our favorite activities around Durango. You can fish the local rivers or go to the San Juan River about 45 miles from the Barn. You can fish on your own or with a guide. We recommend a guide to get to know the rivers. This is not just for the guys! We always take a guided float trip on the San Juan that’s fantastic. If you get tired of fishing you can just enjoy the scenery as you float the river. Let us know if this is something you’d like to do. We have names of guides we’ve used for years and we can hook you up. They supply rods and any gear you need can be rented at cheap prices. If you’ve never fly fished before the float trip will still present you with a life-time of memories. Ladies, if you’re hesitant, you don’t even have to get your feet wet if you do a float trip with a guide (no motors just rowing guides). The guides provide lunch and you can often hook up with the rest of your crew on the river for lunch.
White Water Rafting can be fun for all ages. You can usually find easy to difficult white water and, yes, the young ones will love the mild trip. We took our granddaughters (ages 2 and 4) on the easy trip for a couple hours. They loved seeing deer along the river and all the fish in the river.
Horseback riding, cycling, rock climbing : All fun things to do and there is information at tourist booth, phone books, flyers from town, and at the information center at the park just outside of town. on HWY 160.
Mountain Hiking: There are many trails and hiking areas mapped out in and around Durango. There are maps for hiking at the Vistor’s Center at the edge of town. All trails areas have varying degrees of difficulty so there is something for everyone.
Mountain Jeep Rides: The most current information can be found at the tourist booths near the Train Station downtown. You can leave the driving to the tour provider or rent a jeep and wander off on your own – be sure to use the recommended trails and head up the mountains on your own. Some guests have enjoyed both scary and exciting rides.
Zip Line Adventures: Zip Lines Adventures is a not so well known adventure. Basically, located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains super-strength lines are run between trees; as if over rivers, across valleys, etc. With proper gear you can zip alone these lines, see unbelievable sights, experience the speed; there is no end to the thrill. Currently there are two zip line courses in Durango. This is the latest adventure craze in Durango so make your reservations early. Soaring www.soaring.com was featured on the Regis & Kelli TV Show and got rave reviews. Full Blast Adventure www.ziplinedurangoco.com offers a more affordable adventure.
Golf Courses: We do a lot of golfing in and around Durango. You can play in a top rated, expensive club type course or just go to a nice reasonably priced course. There’s a wide mix of courses to play.
–Conquistador; Although not the most manicured, nor the absolutely most beautiful, but still our favorite golf course is Conquistador in Cortez about 35 miles west of the Barn. The phone number is (970) 565-9208. You don’t need a tee time if it’s not the weekend. The drive through Mancos to Cortez is beautiful and of course we always made a stop at the bakery in Mancos for lunch or goodies.
–Hill Top; Durango has a very nice public course at the top of the hill overlooking Durango. It is well kept, relatively cheap but often difficult to get a tee time. Call several days ahead if possible. Go into town and find College street which runs east up to the mesa and head up the hill to Ft. Lewis College. The course is just north of the college.
–Pinion Hills: Consistently rated one of the top public courses in the United States this is a great place to play and very reasonable. Basically it is a wonderfully green course build on a desert. Get off the fairway and you’re in the sand. Call for a reservation. It is located in Farmington, NM about 45 miles from the Barn but worth the drive.
–Dalton Ranch: On the north side of town and pricey but a beautiful course. Front 9 holes are very tight and last 9 are along the Animas River. Very scenic! Look for specials in the local newspaper. Half off coupons are available on a regular basis.
-Tamaron: On the way to Silverton this is a nationally known course and very beautiful, in the mountains, but expensive too. Reservations are a must. Located about 30-40 minutes on HY 160 from the Barn.
Check the local Durango newspaper for golf specials!
