# Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot

> The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was opened in 1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, chiefly to haul precious metals from the mines.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/durango-silverton-depot/

A steam-hauled narrow-gauge train that has run to Silverton since the nineteenth-century mining days, leaving from the historic depot in Durango. Book seats ahead in summer and bring a jacket for the open cars.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was opened in 1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, chiefly to haul precious metals from the mines. The line is about 45 miles (72 km) long and follows the Animas River through the San Juan Mountains. The depot in Durango was built in 1882. The railroad is a National Historic Landmark and was designated a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The line has served as a backdrop for several films. Trains are pulled by steam locomotives from the 1920s, and sometimes by diesel locomotives. Book early in peak season, and bring a jacket if you ride in an open car. The depot is in downtown Durango and is easy to reach on foot.

- **Nearest town:** Durango, CO
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 37.2765, -107.8800

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Train History](https://www.durangotrain.com/?p=96)
- [Wikipedia: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durango_and_Silverton_Narrow_Gauge_Railroad)

## Nearby

- [Aztec Ruins National Monument](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b18-aztec-ruins/) – 31 mi
- [Mesa Verde National Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/mesa-verde/) – 34 mi
- [Telluride](https://camping-spirit.com/places/telluride-box-canyon/) – 46 mi
- [Million Dollar Highway](https://camping-spirit.com/places/million-dollar/) – 48 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot?

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot is in Durango, CO, at GPS 37.2765, -107.8800. It is about 23 mi from Mancos.

### Can you camp near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is HTR Durango Campground, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 30 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot?

Places worth a stop nearby: Aztec Ruins National Monument (31 mi), Mesa Verde National Park (34 mi), Telluride (46 mi) and Million Dollar Highway (48 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Part of these destinations

- [Mesa Verde National Park](https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/mesa-verde/)