It’s fun to take road trips, especially when you can bring your dog. Recently I drove with my husband, our 17-year-old son, and our dog, Vinka, to Durango, Colorado from the Denver area. We were happy that Vinka didn’t have to stay in a kennel but could enjoy everything we did. The scenic drive west was filled with stunning views across many types of landscapes, as we wound our way through mountain passes, cruised across farmland valleys, ultimately reaching Durango, a western town with a small, close-knit feel to it, where families walk the town, visit the shops, bike the streets, and walk their dogs. Nestled in the mountainous region of southwest Colorado, Durango is situated at 6,512 feet above sea level in the Animas River Valley.
Durango is known for being especially dog friendly, with its miles of trails to hike, and an outdoorsy atmosphere. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at a number of Durango hotels and businesses where you can find water bowls placed outside of retail shops around town.
We arrived on a Friday afternoon and checked into the Rochester Hotel and Leland House, built in 1927 and 1892 respectively, in downtown Durango, where Old West meets southwest. This dog-friendly hotel features original antiques and woodwork, as well as Western movie- and book-themed rooms. In addition to our cozy accommodations which included a dog bed, we thoroughly enjoyed the complimentary and delicious full gourmet breakfast prepared by a talented chef each morning we were there.
After checking in, we walked around downtown Durango, visiting several retail establishments that welcomed Vinka, and then ate dinner on the dog-friendly covered and heated garden patio of the Cyprus Café, where we enjoyed quality farm-to-table Mediterranean-style cuisine where the owner grows, harvests, and serves her own herbs and vegetables.
Andrews Lake and Silverton
The next morning, from downtown Durango, we drove north on the mostly two-lane mountainous U.S. Highway 550, which is part of the San Juan Skyway, nicknamed the Million Dollar Highway, one of the most scenic drives in America, winding through dramatic views in the shadows of majestic 14,000 foot mountain peaks.
Just after reaching the summit of Coalbank Pass, we took the turn-off for Andrews Lake, where we hiked around this clear, glassy mountain lake in the snow at an elevation of 10,744 feet, popular for day-use. I would recommend using snowshoes for this hike, to make the going a bit easier.
After our hike, we decided to continue north on U.S. Highway 550 to visit the small town of Silverton, which is a former silver mining camp. While it no longer participates in mining, it subsists by tourism, maintenance of US 550, and mine pollution remediation. It offers tourists a wide variety of summer and winter sporting and outdoor activities. It’s one of the highest-elevation towns in the United States, at 9,318 feet above sea level. We drove down its main street and stopped for coffee and a walk checking out its historic buildings and western shops before heading back to Durango.
Durango Dog Park
Back in Durango, we explored the Animas River Trail which is the centerpiece of this city’s trail system, stretching nearly seven miles through Durango’s Animas River Greenway. From downtown, this trail leads to the Durango Dog Park. Opened in December, 2003, this 24-acre park is located at the base of Smelter Mountain on the serene banks of the Animas River. We let Vinka run off leash and visited with other dogs roaming the area, along with their friendly owners.
We found that you only need to ask retail store owners or restaurants if you can bring your dog in, and often there are designated patio areas. We ate at those restaurants where Vinka could be with us.
We didn’t have the time on our weekend trip to explore some of the other cultural attractions such as the Durango & Silverton Train Museum, the Animas Museum, or the Powerhouse Science Center, so we definitely have a reason to return!
For more information about all that Durango offers, visit www.durango.org.
