Explore the most popular dog friendly trails near Durango with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Good hike; still decent views despite some smoke. Start early - coming down the west trail doesn’t provide much shade.
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS VIA C.R. 204 then 171. It is still closed after Animas Overlook due to 416/Burro Fires. Call San Juan Forest Service before you attempt. Found out the laborious and time consuming way.. Call 970-247-4874 before you go.
Cannot review trail yet : ( sadly
So bummed.
Off reading vehicle preferred, something with high ground clearance, correct tires, and awd/4wd will help. Road is pretty steep in some spots, big rocks. Last bit of the road is 5 miles to the trail top going 5mph, do the math.
This is a nice paved (cement and asphalt) trail following along the Animas River. The trail is wide and not difficult at all as there are only a couple of mild inclines along the way. It gives a nice look at Durango from ground level. I gave it a four due to its ease but also that it is a nice tour through Durango. We biked from 32nd ave on the north end to the south end just south of the new water treatment plant being built. We then walked from 32nd north to the end of the trail which is less than a mile and not worth doing.
The day started out driving up to the Notch. We hike down to where the road end on the other side of the Notch. Very nice views there of Durango. In the drive back down, we saw the lake on the other side. We decided to hike there also. Good easy hike with awesome views of the mountains. Arrived at the lake and the dogs had field day playing in the water. 4-wheel is recommended to get up there but saw a few grocery getters making the trip. Another good weekend in Colorado.
nice hike with great overlook views of Durango and the Animas River as it snakes it's way South. I rate it on the easy side of moderate. mostly a gradual uphill hike. the trail is well marked and is very Rocky. start out at the TH and keep right at all the intersecting trails to see the views.
11AM: I accepted the late start penalty of heat (for Durango). I’m glad for the instructions of the San Juan Chapter of the Colorado Mountain Club per their book “Best Durango Hikes.” This Trail was #1 in their punch list.
The best tips were about parking, proceeding counterclockwise around the mountain, “when in doubt stay right” and “make a hard left at power poles to get back to parking lot when coming down. The latter saved me from 10 minutes+ of ambling on when I was hot and hungry and ready for the road.
Thumbs up: good directions, easy trail, nice steady gain, wind whooshing through taller trees atop the plateau, being buzzed by a turkey vulture, seeing a horned lizard, and young mountain jays
Also Thumbs Up: Connecting with All Trails users who just had just read a review I posted. **small world and Gig ‘Em Ags**
Thumbs Down: Doggie poop bags left like Easter Eggs on Trail. I hope in the end they got courtes-ly carried away. I will assume the best.
Would go again, starting earlier and making enough space-time for whole loop.
Kudos to the trail runners I saw hoofing it down! You are my every day inspiration.
WENT AGAIN. 8.9.18
Still 3 stars. Started 930am and got back exactly 4 hours later with a long stop, 2 quick snack breaks, lots of pauses for views and photo snapping and an accidental detour too far over on the West side. I think I may have gotten to the top of the Sailing Hawks trails.
Logged 8.2 miles with the detour.
Note to self: go up West side going/coming because trail is more dirt than rock and makes for happy feet!
We began the day thinking we would drive up La Plata Canyon and hike the high line trail to Taylor Lake.....the signage isn’t great up there so we decided to follow the one sign that pointed us towards Kennebac Pass. The views were amazing and the hike is easy. Again, the signage not being great we ended up finding an abandoned mine off the trail - there was some slipper points to the mine but glad we stumbled upon this gem of a hike. We didn’t make the whole hike as we turned around after the mine and went back! It was a perfect hike for the kids 6 and 9!
The views from the top are really nice, but this trail is very steep, and very narrow in some spots. Pretty sketchy as you get up higher and as you walk along the top of the ridge. I probably would say it's difficult more than moderate.
This was a wonderful, short trial! The length is perfect for a nice morning hike. Several lookout points make for a very enjoyable hike. Not too difficult either- great for all ages.
Natalie W. on Animas Mountain Trail
Trailhead is right in town so very easy to get to. The city view side is a little loud but a good workout. Saw only about 6 people on this hike during the holiday weekend.
steep and scary. great workout though.
Warning: Initial ascent to the upper ridge on the Durango side is steep, with insanely steep, deadly, drop offs on both sides. There is only one way to go, and that is up because the initial assent makes a turn, creating fall potential on three sides. The footing is loose shale and you will learn to pray on all fours very quickly if you attempt the ascent. Not one to be afraid of heights, I finally found my fear of heights and slowly made my way back down, backwards. Sign your will (and bring a pick-axe.) My legs felt like spaghetti and I was thankful to be alive in Durango that day.
*This trail is closed due to fire as of 7/2/18* We did not know until we reached the top. But read on:
The ride up definitely requires a high clearance vehicle - very rocky, bumpy with areas where we needed 4 wheel drive. Amazing scenery the whole way up - allow for an hour drive. Brilliant wild flowers, , waterfalls, and lush green colors everywhere. We were disappointed to learn upon getting to the top (trailhead) that the trail was closed due to the fast encroaching fires. We could see smoke in the distance. While we couldn’t hike this trail, the ranger there let us walk to the cliff edge for amazing views, as well as walk up to the gulch (about a mile) for views of the other side of the ridge. It was breathtaking. I can only imagine the beauty of the trail we couldn’t go on, but what we did hike/walk sufficed in views!! Absolutely worth the trip. I just hope the fire didn’t/doesn’t reach this amazing area.
Moderate, very dry trail - rocky on & off. Beautiful views. Be sure to bring water for yourself & your dog!!
It was a mellow hike with a couple of spots at the summit with great views of the town.
Nice day hike easily accessible from town. I think some people get confused by the maps that are posted. There might be a couple of reasons for that. First, there are a lot of short little side 'trails' that take you to a lookout point and others that might mark a convergence of the two rightmost trails that run parallel to one another going counterclockwise up the mountain. Not all of these are necessarily on the map. It's pretty instinctive though - typically just stick to the trail that looks more used and/or does not have a line of rocks blocking the way. Second, someone mentioned that the maps do not all match along the trail. I think that is because Animas Mountain trail itself hooks up with the 'Dalla Mountain Park' trail system on the Junction Creek side (this is Sailing Hawks and series of other small trails). The picture I posted of the Dalla Mtn Park map indicates "you are here". If it helps to give you a sense of where these trail systems converge, that sign with the Dalla map is physically located where on the Animas Mountain map there is a patch of glare right by the switchbacks. I love bringing my pup up here. Just remember to pack lots of extra water (no such thing as too much) and poop bags. It can get hot even in Spring and Fall; He just takes more shade and water breaks and does fine.
Parking is the biggest challenge with this loop. I parked at Colvig Silver Camps although it is very clearly marked No Parking - Private Property. I asked someone parked there if they thought it was alright and they assured me it was although I’d be careful. The trail starts about a mile from this area and you might be able to find a spot to pull off the road, although there is a gate and signs saying cars are not permitted after May. I ran the trail following the First Fork signs. When you reach the top of the ridge, you will be on the Missionary Ridge trail (right if you come the First Fork). The trail follows the ridge and you will be treated with stunning views on both sides of the ridge. Red Creek trail is not marked but when you get to the 2nd Missionary Ridge trail sign it will cut steeply down to the right. This trail is significantly more steep than First Fork. The trail also follows the topo map well and you can use it for security. GPS read the distance at 11.5 miles. Wildflowers were also out today and pretty to see.
Did this hike over Memorial Day weekend. A bit too early for the wildflower extravaganza, but beautiful nonetheless. Columbine Basin still had snow and the waterfall by the lake was in full bloom. This is a good hike for out of town guests because although it is a flat, easy hike, it still offers high-country views — right from the parking lot. A 4-wheel-drive vehicle is needed for the bumpy ride up to the trailhead.
Fabulous hike and well worth the 9.5 miles to the camp ground and back. Views of the river are amazing
First hike in a long time went 18 mins up and back!
Hopefully a lot more posts to come
The trail is in great condition as of May 2018. A lot of mountain bikers on the trail (and a few dirt bikers), but beautiful and pretty quiet aside from that. The trail has some steady climbs and would definitely be safe to run, as the path is clear and pretty rock-free the whole way. Beautiful views, too!
Poorly maintained access road meant the total trail distance was 11.5 miles. Very lightly trafficked trail with wonderful views at the top. Definitely recommend this trail.
as good a hike as I've ever done. got lost for awhile and didn't care
Lots of variation in scenery on this hike and all beautiful, can’t wait to see it when the aspens have bloomed. The view from missionary ridge is one of my favorites
Trail is easy to moderate depending on where you are on the trail. Gorgeous views of lakes and peaks. Amazing wildflowers all along the trail in summer.
Fairly simple trail. Easy to hike for the whole family. Great views of downtown Durango. Will definetely hike again.
Great trail. Great views. Worth mentioning that the top of the loop and majority of the trail is closed from December to April. But there are connections to other trails so you can still get a good hike in still.