Animas River Trail

The ANIMAS RIVER TRAIL is the centerpiece of Durango, Colorado’s park and trail system. It is a concrete or asphalt paved surface running 7 miles through town next to the beautiful Animas River. The north end of this popular trail is the intersection of the 32nd Street and E 3rd Ave. It travels south through 12 city parks, across 8 bridges, 4 underpasses, and 1 tunnel to the south end of the city limits without crossing a single street. Future plans call for an additional 2 miles along the river on the north end of town.

People on the Animas River Trail can access public parks, schools, tennis courts, Durango Public Library, Durango Community Recreation Center, La Plata County Fairgrounds, Senior Center, Colorado Fish Hatchery, Durango Discovery Museum, skatepark, Whitewater (kayak) Park, the BMX bike track, and the historic downtown district.

The development of the Animas River Trail in Durango has occurred over several decades, beginning in the 1970s. Funding, construction, and maintenance of the trail was made possible through the City of Durango, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Trails Program, and numerous private contributions.

The Animas River Trail is just one part of Durango’s network of trails and public parks. There are more than 97 miles of both hard-surface and dirt trails for hiking, biking, and skating. Some sections may also be used by horses. Managed by the City Parks & Recreation Department, the system includes 32 public parks offering many recreational and relaxation opportunities. There’s even a dog park where pooches can play off-leash. For information about Durango Parks & Recreation, click here. Locally there are hundreds of miles of trails surrounding Durango for everything from mountain biking, to hiking, to motorcycles and horses. For complete area trail information, check out www.Trails2000.org.