Extreme fire danger has prompted mass closures of trails, Forest Service land and city open spaces.
But not all of Durango’s outdoor playgrounds are closed; many trails and recreation areas remain open in the region.
Many of the trails and open spaces that remain open are under fire restrictions, so residents and visitors should be aware of what uses are prohibited.
Air quality in the area has reached “hazardous” levels at certain times of day, and health officials advise to keep outdoor exertion limited.
Generally, the farther away outdoor enthusiasts are from the 416 and Burro fires, the better the air quality will be.
The best air quality in Durango has been in the afternoon.
Update: June 15
The Bureau of Land Management entered stage 3 fire restrictions for land in La Plata County. The Grandview Ridge and Three Springs areas are now closed, including these trails:
Big CanyonCowboySale BarnSidewinderSkull RockSouth Rim Spur Line Three Springs Turtle Lake and East Animas climbing area are also now closed.
Big CanyonCowboySale BarnSidewinderSkull RockSouth Rim Spur Line Three Springs Turtle Lake and East Animas climbing area are also now closed.
Big CanyonCowboySale BarnSidewinderSkull RockSouth Rim Spur Line Three Springs Turtle Lake and East Animas climbing area are also now closed.All hard-surface trails including:
Animas River TrailFlorida Road TrailGoeglein Road TrailJenkins Ranch Road Trail. Other open amenities in the city of Durango:
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parks
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parksPastorius State Wildlife AreaVallecito Reservoir
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parksPastorius State Wildlife AreaVallecito ReservoirPhil’s World trail systemMesa Verde National ParkCanyons of the Ancients National Monument McPhee Recreation Area Complex boat ramp and marina, and boating on the lake is permitted.
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parksPastorius State Wildlife AreaVallecito ReservoirPhil’s World trail systemMesa Verde National ParkCanyons of the Ancients National Monument McPhee Recreation Area Complex boat ramp and marina, and boating on the lake is permitted.South and east areas of Mancos State Park are open. The park offers camping, fishing and non-motorized boating. County Road 31 from Dolores to Norwood.
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parksPastorius State Wildlife AreaVallecito ReservoirPhil’s World trail systemMesa Verde National ParkCanyons of the Ancients National Monument McPhee Recreation Area Complex boat ramp and marina, and boating on the lake is permitted.South and east areas of Mancos State Park are open. The park offers camping, fishing and non-motorized boating. County Road 31 from Dolores to Norwood. Alien Run trailsGlade Run Recreation AreaPiñon Mesa
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parksPastorius State Wildlife AreaVallecito ReservoirPhil’s World trail systemMesa Verde National ParkCanyons of the Ancients National Monument McPhee Recreation Area Complex boat ramp and marina, and boating on the lake is permitted.South and east areas of Mancos State Park are open. The park offers camping, fishing and non-motorized boating. County Road 31 from Dolores to Norwood. Alien Run trailsGlade Run Recreation AreaPiñon Mesa Molas Lake is open to recreation and camping.Alpine Loop, Ophir PassUS BasinMost land to the east of Silverton is open because it is managed by the BLM, which has not enacted a closure.
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parksPastorius State Wildlife AreaVallecito ReservoirPhil’s World trail systemMesa Verde National ParkCanyons of the Ancients National Monument McPhee Recreation Area Complex boat ramp and marina, and boating on the lake is permitted.South and east areas of Mancos State Park are open. The park offers camping, fishing and non-motorized boating. County Road 31 from Dolores to Norwood. Alien Run trailsGlade Run Recreation AreaPiñon Mesa Molas Lake is open to recreation and camping.Alpine Loop, Ophir PassUS BasinMost land to the east of Silverton is open because it is managed by the BLM, which has not enacted a closure.Reservoir Hill Park is open. Piedra Road (County Road 600) is open to the Sportsman Campground. Navajo State ParkEcho Canyon State Wildlife Area
Animas River and all city river access points.Lions DenAll irrigated city parksPastorius State Wildlife AreaVallecito ReservoirPhil’s World trail systemMesa Verde National ParkCanyons of the Ancients National Monument McPhee Recreation Area Complex boat ramp and marina, and boating on the lake is permitted.South and east areas of Mancos State Park are open. The park offers camping, fishing and non-motorized boating. County Road 31 from Dolores to Norwood. Alien Run trailsGlade Run Recreation AreaPiñon Mesa Molas Lake is open to recreation and camping.Alpine Loop, Ophir PassUS BasinMost land to the east of Silverton is open because it is managed by the BLM, which has not enacted a closure.Reservoir Hill Park is open. Piedra Road (County Road 600) is open to the Sportsman Campground. Navajo State ParkEcho Canyon State Wildlife AreaTrails around the town of Telluride are open. Telluride Ski Resort has a bike park that will open in late June. Most land around Telluride is managed by the Uncompahgre National Forest and remains open.
Earlier Wednesday, the city of Durango formally signed an order that closed some open spaces.
The city reminds residents that entering spaces that are closed carries fines of up to $2,650 and/or one year in jail.
These are the places that are closed:
City open space providing access to Animas City MountainChapman Hill and College MesaDalla Mountain ParkDurango Dog ParkGardellaHorse GulchMercy open space in Three SpringsOff-leash areasOverend Mountain ParkCarbon JunctionOxbow PreserveTwin ButtesNatural surface trails in city open spaceLake NighthorseAll La Plata County owned trails, encampments, open space and unimproved lands.Fort Lewis College has closed the open space and trails on campus. This includes the Nature Trail, Sky Steps, Rim Trail and the disc golf course. Essentially, unless an area is paved and/or has sprinklers, it is closed. There is also no smoking or open fires on campus. A person may smoke in their private vehicle.
Bodo State Wildlife AreaPerins Peak State Wildlife AreaHaviland LakeDevil Creek State Wildlife AreaWilliams Creek State Wildlife AreaLone Dome State Wildlife AreaFish Creek State Wildlife Area