Durango CO in the Summer

Outdoor adventure is the way of life in Durango CO all year long, but if you want to visit in your RV, you’ll probably want to choose the peak season from May through September. Late spring, summer, and early fall will provide ideal weather for RVing, with overnight lows staying above freezing. 

During the summer the area is alive with activity.  There are numerous festivals, sporting events, and concerts throughout the season. On any given day you’ll find people hiking, trail running, biking, and floating down the river.  And all of this is available right from downtown Durango, with no long car rides to get to the fun stuff!

Are You Ready to Visit Durango in Your RV?

The Durango CO in the summer can bring cold overnight and hot daytime temps all summer long.  Consider this when planning your trip, and choosing an RV park.  Will you need full hookups?  Are you leaving a pet behind in the RV while you go off adventuring?  You might need to run your AC during the hottest parts of the day during June, July, and August.

Durango CO RV Parks

Many RV parks in Durango are now open year-round.  Certainly check in advance to make sure the park you choose is open when you plan to visit.  Some RV parks are only open from the end of May through the end of September. 

There’s basically an RV park heading in every direction from downtown Durango:

East of downtown:

Oasis RV Resort and Cottages RV sites from $42-$89/night. Cottages from $69-179/night.  Tent sites from $37-49/night. Conveniently located on the major route between Durango and Bayfield, only about 15 minutes (driving) to downtown.

South of downtown:

Durango Ranch RV Resort This is a newer park located on the 550 coming from New Mexico into Colorado, with easy access directly off the 550.  RV sites from $52-72/night.  Monthly rates are available in the off-season between $900-1100/month. About 18 minutes (driving) to downtown.  To the south, the temperatures are typically a few degrees warmer than in Durango, in case that factors into your decision.

North of downtown:

Alpen Rose RV Park This park has the best of both worlds, it’s in the beautiful Animas River Valley with mountain views, yet still located quite close to downtown.  It’s only a few miles to the north end of town, and about 6 miles to the heart of downtown. RV sites range from $57-96/night depending on size and hookups.

West of downtown:

Lightner Creek Campground This campground is set on 27 acres in a protected canyon surrounded by high cliffs. They offer RV sites, tent sites, and cabins. Campendium reviews indicate this is truly a campground, not an RV park.  The price tag doesn’t reflect that though at about $70/night.  The location is pretty ideal, only 5 miles to downtown (less than 10 minutes driving) and only 15 minutes to Lake Nighthorse (perfect for water recreation, supping, kayaking, etc). 

Durango CO Outdoor Activities

There are so many things to do in Durango CO in the summer, but today we’ve chosen three fun activities that will also get your heart pumping and provide a good workout.  Finding beautiful, inspiring places to explore while exercising is part of our trick to staying fit on the road.

Hiking & Trail Running

There are a number of trails leaving right from downtown Durango if you’re looking for ease of access.  We were told by many locals these were their top two favorite trails:

1. Andrew’s Lake Loop Trail – an easy, relatively flat trail around the entire lake with a beautiful lookout point.  This loop trail could make for some great trail running. It’s about one mile around, but you could do multiple laps if you were looking for some mileage.
   
2. Potato Lake via the Spud Lake Trail – this moderate loop trail is approximately 3 miles with just over 400’ of elevation gain.  Dogs are welcome. 

Both of these trails take you to stunning lakes up in the mountains north of Durango.  Follow the scenic 550 north toward Silverton and each of these trailheads will be waiting for you less than one hour from downtown. 

Bike Trails 

One of the most beloved amenities of the city is the Animas River Trail. This multi-use paved trail runs approximately nine miles through the city of Durango alongside the Animas River.  From end to end (and back), this makes a great bike trail for a long ride.  The trail also makes biking a feasible form of transportation for getting around town.  The infrastructure linking the trail to various points in the city is excellent.

Durango is probably best known for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, a three-day bicycle event offering road, gravel, and mountain biking events.  The Classic takes place on Memorial Day weekend every year.  The signature event is a closed-road race up the million-dollar highway from Durango to Silverton, racing against the Durango Silverton train.

White Water Rafting 

As the river runs right through town, it’s no surprise that it’s another central recreation hub.  On any given day in the summer, you’ll see people swimming near the water’s edge, paddling down the river, or even just enjoying a lazy float. 

The Animas River Days is an annual event held in early June that celebrates the river as the heart and soul of the community.  This is a fun spectator event if you can plan your RV trip during this event. 

If you’re ready to take your river experience to the next level, consider a trip with Mild to Wild Rafting.  They offer whitewater rafting tours on the lower Animas River from April til October.  Keep in mind when planning your visit that the water will be higher in Spring due to mountain snowmelt.  Rafting in Durango CO in the late summer and fall may be more like a float due to low water.

Does Durango CO in the Summer Sound Right For You?

If you’re seeking beautiful nature, fresh mountain air, and plenty of active recreation opportunities for your next RV trip, Durango CO in the summer may be the one for you.  With plenty of RV parks, and space to spread out on the trails, a visit to Durango will feel like a true summer vacation.  So what are you waiting for?