Durango · Main Avenue depot · Historic steam railroad
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Ride a coal-fired steam train 45 miles up the Animas River canyon to the old mining town of Silverton, on a line in continuous operation since 1882, then browse the free railroad museum beside the downtown Durango depot.
Opens the railroad’s booking page. Fares include an 8% historic preservation fee; book ahead for fall color and holiday trains.
Details checked October 2026
Type
Historic steam railroad
Plus a free museum in the depot roundhouse
Admission
From $97 adult coach
Winter coach; Silverton coach $118 (2026)
Hours
Trains depart 9:00 am
Silverton trips through Nov 1; winter train from Nov 20 at 9:15 am
Time needed
About 9¼ hours
Silverton round trip; winter train about 5¼ hours
Parking
$20 a day for RVs
Railroad lot, 209 W College Dr; no overnight
Route
45.4 miles each way
Climbs nearly 3,000 ft from Durango to Silverton
What you’ll see
Steam, canyon and a mining town
From May to early November the train runs all the way to Silverton; from late November it turns around at Cascade Canyon, and the free museum is open next to the depot.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith on Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Start here
The Silverton round trip
The classic ride leaves the Durango depot at 9:00 am and reaches Silverton at 12:30 pm, about 3½ hours each way beside the Animas River, through the Animas Canyon and the San Juan National Forest, past Horseshoe Curve, the High Bridge and the High Line. You get about two hours in Silverton before the 2:45 pm departure, and you’re back in Durango at 6:15 pm.
RV tip: there’s no cell service or Wi-Fi in the Animas Canyon, so download your tickets and maps before you board, and plan on a full day away from the rig.
More to see
- The free D&SNG MuseumInside 8 stalls of the roundhouse beside the depot, 12,000 square feet of railroading, transportation and mining exhibits, with a railroad history library. Admission is free.
- Cascade Canyon Winter TrainFrom November 20, a 9:15 am train runs 26 miles each way up the Animas River gorge to Cascade Canyon, with a 60-minute layover and a 2:30 pm return to Durango.
- The Polar ExpressFrom November 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027, a steam ride of about 65 minutes to the “North Pole” with hot chocolate, a reading of the book and a visit from Santa. Allow about 2 hours in all.
- Silverton’s historic districtThe layover leaves time to walk Greene and Blair Streets, a National Historic District in the old mining town, with places to eat a short stroll from the train.
Why go
A classic steam ride that starts downtown
The Durango & Silverton runs on a 45-mile branch of the original Denver & Rio Grande Railway, built to carry silver and gold ore out of the San Juan Mountains, and trains have run on it continuously since 1882. Much of the scenery is unchanged since then: the line climbs nearly 3,000 feet from Durango, at 6,512 feet, hugging the Animas River and in places riding a narrow shelf high above it.
For RVers it’s an easy day out. The depot sits on Main Avenue in historic downtown Durango, and the railroad’s own parking lot, at US-550 and College Drive, takes RVs and trailers for $20 a day. Most Durango RV parks are 7 to 20 minutes away, so you can leave the rig hooked up and drive in with the tow vehicle.
Late October is the tail end of the Silverton season: steam trips run through November 1, 2026. After a short break, the Cascade Canyon Winter Train and The Polar Express start on November 20, and the museum switches to winter hours, Wednesday to Sunday.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith on Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Why it made our list
- A 45-mile steam line in continuous use since 1882
- Departs from historic downtown Durango
- A free railroad museum beside the depot
- RV parking at the railroad’s own lot
- Winter and holiday trains from November 20
For RVers
Taking the rig to the train
The practical stuff we wished someone had told us before we pulled in.
Use the railroad’s parking lot
The D&SNGRR lot is at 209 W College Drive, at the corner of US-550 and College Drive. RVs, buses, trailers and anything that takes more than one space pay $20 a day (cars $10), and you can buy parking with your tickets or at the lot that morning. Follow the signs, or ask the attendant, for the walk to the depot.
Be in your seat 30 minutes early
The railroad asks passengers to be seated 30 minutes before departure, and seats may be released to waiting passengers if you’re late. With a 9:00 am train, leave camp with time to park and walk over, and dress in layers: Silverton is much higher and cooler than Durango.
Pets stay at camp
Only trained service animals are allowed on the trains and in the railroad’s public buildings; pets and emotional support animals are not. A Silverton trip is a full day, so arrange pet care at your RV park rather than leaving pets in a parked rig. Call 1-888-872-4607 to reserve for a service animal.
Day parking only, no camping
Under city ordinance there’s no overnight camping in the railroad lot. Riders with mobility needs can use the unloading zone on Main Avenue near the depot, and one car has a wheelchair lift and an accessible restroom; mention any needs when you book.
What visitors say about Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The visitor report card
We don’t copy other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together. Scores checked October 24, 2026.
There’s no cell service or Wi-Fi throughout the Animas Canyon so you’ll be unplugged from the modern world.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, on the Silverton trip · durangotrain.com
What visitors often mention
Recurring themes in Tripadvisor’s popular mentions
Steam engineBeautiful sceneryOpen-air gondola carsThe bus option
Tripadvisor’s popular mentions, which it shows without counts, keep coming back to the steam engine, the beautiful scenery, riding in the open-air gondola cars and the bus option for the return trip. Checked October 24, 2026.
How long each trip takes
Round-trip times from the railroad’s 2026 schedules, with the train both ways to Silverton. The Polar Express ride is about 65 minutes, but the railroad suggests allowing 2 hours.
Good to know
Silverton, standard coach$118 adult; $108 ages 4–11
Cascade Canyon coach$97 adult; $87 ages 4–11
Premium cars, Silverton$161–$313 some 21+ only
Good to know8% fee includedUnder 4 free, no seatMuseum is free
Fares from the railroad’s 2026 Silverton and Cascade Canyon pages, checked October 24, 2026, including the 8% historic preservation fee. Cancellations cost $14 per adult and $7 per child, with no refunds within 5 days of departure.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Address479 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301
- HoursTrains depart 9:00 am
Silverton trips through Nov 1; winter train from Nov 20 at 9:15 am - Phone(970) 247-2733
- TicketsBook online or call 1-888-872-4607
- Getting thereThe depot is at 479 Main Avenue in historic downtown Durango; through town, Main Avenue is US-550.
- ParkingRailroad lot at 209 W College Drive (US-550 and College Drive): $20 a day for RVs and trailers, $10 for cars. No overnight camping.
Schedules and fares change with the season. Check the railroad’s booking page before you go, and call if you need accessible seating or a service animal reservation.
Where to stay nearby
RV parks near Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
These are Durango parks we have visited and written up. Drive times to the depot are approximate, from each park’s page, and United Campground sits right beside the tracks.
United Campground of Durango
Open May 1 to October 15 at the north edge of town, where the steam train rolls right past the sites, with a heated pool and a trolley stop to downtown.
Alpen Rose RV Park
Open year-round below the red cliffs north of town, with 100 grassy full-hookup sites, a seasonal pool and a 2-acre dog park.
Durango RV Resort
Open year-round on US-160 east of town, with full-hookup pull-thrus, a heated pool, mini golf and cabins.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
The questions RVers ask most before pulling in.
Silverton through Nov 1 · Winter train from Nov 20
Ready to ride the narrow gauge?
Book ahead, park the rig at the railroad’s lot on College Drive, and be in your seat 30 minutes before the whistle.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. Photos: Carol M. Highsmith for the Library of Congress (Highline, depot and Silverton; public domain), FJX2000 (Cascade Canyon wye; CC BY-SA 4.0), cogdogblog (museum; CC BY 2.0) and Mike McBey (steam train; CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons; the images were resized. Video: Today’s Wild West on YouTube. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the places we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the railroad’s published materials and publicly available sources. Hours, pricing, rules and other details are set by the railroad and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel, please confirm all details directly with Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at durangotrain.com or (970) 247-2733. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
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