Durango Mountain Biking Vacation
Trails
Haflin Creek Trail
Burn zones are often one of the most peculiar environments to ride in. The vegetation is minimal, leaving you victim to sun exposure, and old trees lie on the ground like a spilled cup of toothpicks. The Haflin Creek trail in Durango comes to life every year after old, remaining trees are removed from the trail, leaving a tight, twisty, and technical singletrack remaining. Haflin Creek surprisingly packs in around 3,000 feet of vertical over its four-mile descent.
Big Canyon Trail
Big Canyon gives you permission to dial back the spice from Haflin Creek and still get just as much flavor. It’s fast and flowy, and adds up to 500 feet of vertical over two miles. Swoop... Read More ›
Big Canyon Trail
Big Canyon gives you permission to dial back the spice from Haflin Creek and still get just as much flavor. It’s fast and flowy, and adds up to 500 feet of vertical over two miles. Swoop your bike through turns and mash your pedals through the open sections, because this trail was made for flow like a canyon creek. The trail is on the south end of Durango off of US-160 and can be linked into other trails for a full loop.
Snake Charmer
Just outside of the main city streets of Durango lies Snake Charmer, a single black rated trail, with hard lines, easier lines, jumps, drops, and rocks on top of rocks. The trail is reminiscent of... Read More ›
Snake Charmer
Just outside of the main city streets of Durango lies Snake Charmer, a single black rated trail, with hard lines, easier lines, jumps, drops, and rocks on top of rocks. The trail is reminiscent of Moab in areas, with its chunky slick rock lines and covers 550 of descending over 1.2 miles. Although it’s short, Snake Charmer packs in a maximal amount of tech and high speed for an awesome ride.
Jones Creek
North of Durango, as the elevation picks up, Jones Creek starts out at 7,800 feet and takes you 1,700 more feet up smooth singletrack. The trail can be ridden as an out-and-back that adds up to... Read More ›
Jones Creek
North of Durango, as the elevation picks up, Jones Creek starts out at 7,800 feet and takes you 1,700 more feet up smooth singletrack. The trail can be ridden as an out-and-back that adds up to eight miles round trip, or connected with some of the other trails out there for a mega loop. Jones Creek is mostly fast, hard pack riding through the aspens and surrounding wilderness area and has a remote feel.
Lodging
The General Palmer Hotel
For a historic, western feel of Durango, book a night or two at the General Palmer. The hotel’s Victorian front sits in the shadow of the surrounding mountains and is located within walking distance of the town’s breweries and restaurants.
Comfort Inn & Suites
If you don’t want the niceties of the General Palmer, but still want a room to wash off in, and a bed to relax after your ride, there’s the Comfort Inn. It’s just south of... Read More ›
Comfort Inn & Suites
If you don’t want the niceties of the General Palmer, but still want a room to wash off in, and a bed to relax after your ride, there’s the Comfort Inn. It’s just south of Durango’s main strip, but is still walking distance to other restaurants and breweries, and still has amazing views around it.
Food
Ken and Sue's
A delicious, Asian-inspired restaurant in the heart of Durango. High-end food at a reasonable price. We recommend making a reservation before going in for dinner.
Zia Taqueria
Durango’s beloved takeout Mexican restaurant. Zia Taqueria has a similar feel to Qdoba and Chipotle, with a heavy focus on locally sourced ingredients. Their traditional salsa is a... Read More ›
Zia Taqueria
Durango’s beloved takeout Mexican restaurant. Zia Taqueria has a similar feel to Qdoba and Chipotle, with a heavy focus on locally sourced ingredients. Their traditional salsa is a must-have.
Ore House
An old-West style steakhouse that is known for their eco-friendly meats and seafood, and elegant cocktails. A bit pricy, but those who are more price-conscious can always stop by for cocktails... Read More ›
Ore House
An old-West style steakhouse that is known for their eco-friendly meats and seafood, and elegant cocktails. A bit pricy, but those who are more price-conscious can always stop by for cocktails before dinner.
Drinks
Steamworks Brewing Co
Locals rave about Steamworks. A child-friendly atmosphere with generous portions at a reasonable price. We recommend trying their Barley Legal or Elephant Rider beer if you do swing by.
Carver Brewing Co
Carver Brewing is certainly known for their delicious beers (give the Big Bike IPA a try). However, they are equally well-known for serving up a delicious breakfast. Stop by here one morning to... Read More ›
Carver Brewing Co
Carver Brewing is certainly known for their delicious beers (give the Big Bike IPA a try). However, they are equally well-known for serving up a delicious breakfast. Stop by here one morning to enjoy breakfast and a beer on their patio.
El Moro Spirits and Tavern
A great cocktail lounge with a surprisingly impressive beer selection. El Moro is perfect for anyone looking for a more relaxed... Read More ›
El Moro Spirits and Tavern
A great cocktail lounge with a surprisingly impressive beer selection. El Moro is perfect for anyone looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.
Rentals
Mountain Bike Specialists
Mountain Bike Specialists is a favorite in Durango and holds some special pieces to mountain biking’s history. Half museum, half bike shop, the walls inside are decorated with historic bikes, like Todd Wells’ GT hardtail that he rode in the 2004 Olympics. Stop in if you need any gear or want to brush up on your history.
Second Avenue Sports
Second Avenue Sports offers bike rentals for any kind of riding. Townie bikes for cruising the streets start at $30 per day, and $100 will get you a full-suspension carbon rig. Rentals come with a... Read More ›
Second Avenue Sports
Second Avenue Sports offers bike rentals for any kind of riding. Townie bikes for cruising the streets start at $30 per day, and $100 will get you a full-suspension carbon rig. Rentals come with a map, flat repair kit, pedals, helmet, and lock.
Pedal the Peaks
Pedal the Peaks, located down Main Avenue a block away from the General Palmer also offers a fleet of rental bikes, and can provide guide services as well. You can also stop in for some riding... Read More ›
Pedal the Peaks
Pedal the Peaks, located down Main Avenue a block away from the General Palmer also offers a fleet of rental bikes, and can provide guide services as well. You can also stop in for some riding fuel and to learn more about the trail conditions.
Camping
Molas Lake Campground
The Molas Lake Campground is a private, paid campground a little further north of Durango, and just outside Silverton. You can bring a tent, or full RV set up and they will accommodate you with a small on-site store, showers, and some of the best views of the San Juan’s you’ll ever see.
Junction Creek Campground
Junction Creek is a great campsite for those that want the most organic experience of their time in Durango. It’s a short, six-mile drive from downtown Durango, so it sees more people in the... Read More ›
Junction Creek Campground
Junction Creek is a great campsite for those that want the most organic experience of their time in Durango. It’s a short, six-mile drive from downtown Durango, so it sees more people in the area, but adds the convenience of proximity to the trails and anything you need in town. You can reserve 29 of the 44 sites by calling 1-877-444-6777, and the rest are first come, first serve.
Shops
Pine Needle Mountaineering
Pine Needle Mountaineering is another excellent outdoor product retailer in Durango. The shop is staffed by outdoor experts and they’ve been serving Durango and the surrounding area for over 40 years now.
Backcountry Experience
Backcountry Experience will be one of your go-to stores for outdoor products while in town. Their 20 years in Durango have built them a solid reputation and won them “The Best Small Business... Read More ›
Backcountry Experience
Backcountry Experience will be one of your go-to stores for outdoor products while in town. Their 20 years in Durango have built them a solid reputation and won them “The Best Small Business Award” by the Durango Chamber of Commerce in 2009.
Tours & Guides
Durango Mountain Bike Tours
If you want to take the guesswork out of your trip, and just enjoy the scenery, or the fast riding, consider getting a guide at Durango Mountain Bike Tours.
It maximizes the time you spend riding, and minimizes the time spent pulling your phone out of your pocket and checking your GPS at every trail intersection.