As summer fades away, the nights become cooler, the aspens transform into gold and everything that can will be pumpkin flavored.
Fall is sometimes also known as “secret summer.” This nickname comes from the fact that most of your favorite summer activities are still available in the fall, but they are met with cooler weather, a quieter downtown and a stunning backdrop of vibrant foliage.
As fall quickly approaches, we want to provide a few adventure and event suggestions to add to your fall bucket list.
- Volunteer with Durango Trails: Durango Trails offers monthly trail maintenance opportunities where you can assist in the preservation of our precious trail systems all while hiking among the aspens and ponderosas and connecting with other like-minded Durangoans. Visit Durangotrails.org to sign up for upcoming volunteer events.
- Experience the 27th annual Durango Autumn Arts Festival: Happening Sept. 19 and 20 on East Second Avenue, this arts festival should not be missed. It features nearly 100 exhibitors showcasing fine art, jewelry and artisan goods.
- Mountain bike at Purgatory Resort: The mountain resort is not only adventurous during ski season. During the fall, it is home to more than 400 miles of single-track trails. Experience the fall colors as they flash past you on the trails. A chairlift is available to take riders up the peak where they are met with a variety of trail options and stunning views.
- Drive the Million Dollar Highway: Take this iconic road to Silverton, Ouray or Telluride and experience the San Juan Mountain range at its colorful “peak.” We recommend conquering this drive with a buddy and taking turns driving. It is difficult to see all the surrounding vistas when you need to focus on the windy, sometimes treacherous, road ahead.
- Relax at the Durango Hot Springs & Resort: The newly remodeled hot springs resort features 26 mineral pools and a swimming pool. It is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of adventure on a crisp autumn day or evening.
- Take on New Heights at Soaring Tree Top Adventures: Why just look at fall colors when you can soar through them? Soaring Tree Top Adventures is the United States’ first zipline course, one of the longest and has a whopping total of 27 spans. Zipline through the San Juan National Forest, strapped to strong, old growth ponderosa pines and weave through dazzling aspen groves. Mid-way through a day of soaring, guests are treated to a four-course gourmet lunch.
- Tour the Durango Botanical Gardens: Located right off the Animas River Trail, the Durango Botanical Gardens highlight an array of Colorado native flora. Take a tour with their very knowledgeable staff members and learn about all the plants that flourish in autumn.
As Durangoans, we are blessed to live in a town where every season is exceptional and dull moments are nonexistent. The profound beauty that autumn months gift our little town every year is spectacular, and you must make sure to enjoy it as much as you can before the final aspen sheds its dazzling yellow leaves.
Rachel Welsh is the PR and communications manager of Visit Durango. She can be reached at rachelw@durango.org.
