About Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a National Historic Landmark that has operated continuously since 1882, carrying passengers behind authentic coal-fired steam locomotives through the spectacular Animas River gorge between Durango and Silverton. Designated by both the National Park Service and the American Society of Civil Engineering as a landmark of national significance, the railroad preserves a living piece of Colorado's mining-era heritage while delivering one of the most scenic train journeys in North America.
The flagship round-trip to Silverton runs May through October — a 3.5-hour ride each way with a two-hour layover in the historic mining town for dining, shopping, and exploring. Year-round, shorter excursions travel to Cascade Canyon deep in the wilderness of the San Juan Mountains. Iconic highlights along the route include Horseshoe Curve, the High Bridge, and the dramatic High Line section clinging to cliffs above the Animas River. A free 12,000-square-foot railroad museum in the Durango roundhouse displays artifacts from Colorado's railroading and mining history.
The Durango & Silverton Railroad isn't just a tourist attraction — it is the reason many visitors come to Durango in the first place. As one of very few operating narrow-gauge steam railroads left in the world, it offers an irreplaceable experience of 19th-century mountain railroading. The combination of dramatic alpine scenery, authentic equipment, and the visceral thrill of steam power makes it a bucket-list experience for train enthusiasts and adventure travelers alike.
