Junction West Durango Riverside Resort

Durango didn’t just grow up around the river—it grew up around the rails. On August 5, 1881, the Denver & Rio Grande reached town to connect the booming gold and silver mines of the San Juan Mountains to the rest of the country.

Less than a year later, the narrow-gauge line pushed deep into the high country. The first passenger train reached Silverton on July 4, 1882—an Independence Day arrival that turned a remote mining camp into a place you could actually get to.

Here’s the wild part: the Durango depot you depart from today was built in 1882, so modern riders are stepping into essentially the same station early miners and prospectors used.

The route runs about 45 miles along the Animas River, threading through tight mountain curves and steep terrain on purpose—narrow-gauge engineering made the impossible possible. One of the most dramatic spots is the Highline, a ledge blasted into the cliff roughly 400 feet above the gorge, where the train clings to the canyon wall with unforgettable views.

And unlike most historic railways, this one never truly stopped. It’s operated continuously since 1882 and still runs coal-fired steam locomotives on that original mountain alignment—so it looks, sounds, and feels like the 1880s.

If you stayed at Junction West Durango Riverside Resort, would you ride the train for the history, the scenery, or both? Save this for your Durango trip—and when you check in, ask our team at Junction West Durango Riverside Resort for a few “don’t-miss” history moments to listen for on the ride.

Riverside days at Junction West… rooftop sunsets in downtown Durango? Put this on your list.

If you’re craving a special night out during your stay at Junction West Durango Riverside Resort, Eolus Bar & Dining is a go-to for contemporary American favorites, a refined seasonal menu, and a cocktail and w**e program that’s perfect for lingering over a multi-course dinner.

Why we love it:
- Rooftop patio with fresh air and mountain views (sunset is the move)
- Polished-but-cozy dining room with high ceilings and corner booths
- Chef-driven, seasonal plates with top-tier seafood and steaks
- Weekday happy hour for an easy “try it first” visit

Eolus Bar & Dining | 919 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301 (about 15 miles from the resort)
4.6 rating | (970) 259-2898 | eolusdurango.com

Staying at Junction West Durango Riverside Resort? Save this for your trip—and tell us: are you doing weekday happy hour or a celebratory dinner on the rooftop?

Nothing caps off a day of mountain exploring quite like a slice of authentic wood-fired pizza. 🍕🔥

When the craving hits, Fired Up Pizzeria on Main Avenue is an absolute must.

Dedicated to the traditional art of Neapolitan pizza, they bake their pies in a custom-built, wood-fired oven using fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Snag a table on their rooftop patio for a fantastic meal with a view of historic downtown Durango.

🌐 Secure your riverside spot for next season: https://jwdurango.com/
📞 Call us: 1-970-247-4499

Step into the 1880s for a day—without leaving Durango. 🚂

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad began as an 1882 mining lifeline, built to haul gold and silver ore through the San Juan Mountains along the Animas River—into rugged country most people couldn’t reach any other way.

What makes it even cooler? It’s still steam-hauled on the original narrow-gauge route, with coal-fired K-36 locomotives and vintage coaches that keep the experience feeling wonderfully old-school. The Durango depot dates back to the founding era, so the moment you arrive, it really does feel like you’re stepping straight into the Old West.

This isn’t just a scenic ride—it’s nationally recognized history:
• National Historic Landmark (1961)
• National Register of Historic Places (1966)
• National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark (1968)

The trip runs about 45 miles and takes around 3.5 hours each way, with time to explore Silverton’s preserved 19th-century streets before heading back. And if you’ve heard people talk about the “Highline,” that’s the dramatic canyon section carved into the wall high above the Animas River—big views, classic narrow-gauge sway, and unforgettable photos (especially when the aspens turn gold in autumn).

Staying at Junction West Durango Riverside Resort puts you close to the river, the mountains, and the kind of day trip you’ll be telling stories about long after you’re home.

Want our easy Railroad Day itinerary from Junction West to the Durango depot (plus a simple Silverton layover plan)? Comment TRAIN and we’ll share it.

While planning your trip to Durango Riverside Resort for the fall colors, check out Durango Leaf O Meter to check on the progess of the changing leaf colors.

Looking for a sweet stop to add to your Durango itinerary? 🍯🐝

Just a short scenic drive north of town on Highway 550, you'll find Honeyville.

A local staple since the 1920s, this family-owned factory store bottles some of the best high-altitude mountain honey you will ever taste. It is the perfect place to stock up on their famous whipped honeys, jams, and sauces.

Plus, it is a huge hit with the kids—they can try free samples and even watch the bees at work in the live observation glass beehive!

Plan your sweet 2026 mountain escape:
🌐https://jwdurango.com/
📞 Call us: 1-970-247-4499

It’s Apple Season in the Grand Valley! 🍎🍂

Palisade might be famous for its summer peaches, but September is all about the apples! 🍏

As the leaves begin to change, the local orchards across the Grand Valley open up for their fall harvest. Spending a crisp September morning at a local U-pick farm or browsing the farm stands for fresh-pressed apple c***r, apple butter, and baked goods is a must-do fall activity. 🥧✨

Imagine spending the day gathering local treats and bringing them back to enjoy at your quiet, cozy RV site as the sun goes down!

Make Junction West Grand Junction RV Park your autumn home base.

💻 Book online: https://jwgrandjunction.com/
📞 Call us: 970-245-8531

September in Southwest Colorado means one thing: the aspens are starting to show off! 🍂⛰️

If you are looking for one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the country, you have to experience the San Juan Skyway.

The stretch between Durango and Ouray, famously known as the Million Dollar Highway, offers jaw-dropping views of jagged mountain peaks and valleys painted in vibrant gold and orange.

It is an absolute bucket-list road trip for anyone visiting the area during the fall months.

🌐 Plan your future Durango adventure: https://jwdurango.com/
📞 Call us: 1-970-247-4499

Fall plans worth circling: the 32nd Durango Autumn Arts Festival takes over historic Second Avenue downtown Sept. 19–20, 2026.

Make a simple weekend out of it: spend your days strolling a juried fine-arts lineup (plus the Durango Arts Center’s community vibe), then come back to Junction West Durango Riverside Resort for a relaxing riverside evening along the Animas River—about 15 miles north of downtown. Early-autumn days + cozy campfires (when permitted) = a pretty great combo.

Festival pro tip: check the Durango Arts Center’s channels for the latest schedule, silent auction details, and ways to volunteer.

Thinking about making it a weekend? Check availability at Junction West for Sept. 19–20 and keep your home base by the river.

Hello, September! 🍂 As the mountain air starts to get just a little bit crisper, it is the absolute perfect time to take a day trip to one of the most incredible historical sites in the country.

Located just a short drive west of Durango, Mesa Verde National Park offers a breathtaking look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years.

With more than 5,000 archaeological sites and 600 spectacular cliff dwellings built right into the sandstone canyon walls, it’s an unforgettable adventure for history buffs and nature lovers alike.

Have you ever taken a guided tour of Cliff Palace? Let us know below! 👇

🌐 Plan your future Durango adventure: https://jwdurango.com/
📞 Call us: 1-970-247-4499