Where to Stay in Durango CO (Best Places & Areas)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Durango

If you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll likely want to stay in historic downtown Durango given its central location. However, there are several other options depending on your plans. For example, you may want to consider hotels near Purgatory Resort or lodging closer to Mesa Verde National Park.

Historic Downtown Durango

👉 Best Area For Tourists | ✨ Best Downtown Durango Hotels: Strater Hotel • General Palmer Hotel • Rochester Hotel • Gable House Bed and Breakfast Inn

Most of Durango’s points of interest, like the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, are in the historic downtown area. The same applies to many of the best lodging options — like my top recommended stay, the Strater Hotel.

Downtown is walkable and you can stroll to bars, restaurants, shops, museums, and more. If you get tired, the historic Durango Trolley is a fun way to get around town and most routes are just $1.

Pros of Staying in Historic Downtown Durango:

• Close to most Durango town attractions
• Lots of great restaurants and bars
• More than 80 historic buildings

Cons of Staying in Historic Downtown Durango:

• Hotels can be pricey

Purgatory Resort

👉 Best Area For Skiing | ✨ Best Purgatory Resort Hotels: Purgatory Lodge Condos • Purgatory Village at Durango Mtn Resort • Peregrine Point

Like many of the best Colorado mountain towns, Durango features a nearby ski resort. There are several condos and apartments close to Purgatory Resort that make a great home base, like those at Purgatory Village. The restaurant selection is slim, but most of the lodging here features fully-equipped kitchens.  

Pros of Staying in Purgatory Resort:

• Close to skiing
• Beautiful views
• More room, usually with equipped kitchens

Cons of Staying in Purgatory Resort:

• Not much nightlife
• You’ll need a car to get to bars, restaurants, and other attractions

Fort Lewis College Area

👉 Best Area For College Visits | ✨ Best Fort Lewis College Hotels: Nobody’s Inn • Rochester Hotel • Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Durango is one of the best cities in Colorado, complete with higher education opportunities. Fort Lewis College is a small liberal arts college with about 3,800 students.

If you’re headed to town to visit the school, there are a few nearby spots where you can stay like the Rochester Hotel. Fort Lewis also has some great hiking and biking trails in the area!

Pros of Staying in Fort Lewis College Neighborhood:

• Close to downtown 
• Lots of outdoor spaces

Cons of Staying in Fort Lewis College Neighborhood:

• Hotels can be pricey

Hermosa

👉 Best Area For Quiet Vacations | ✨ Best Hermosa Hotels: Apple Orchard Inn • Junction West Durango Riverside Resort • Dalton Ranch Golf Club Home

Hermosa is just north of Durango and is a water stop along the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It’s also near the Durango Hot Springs.

Hermosa is a nice, quiet spot for a secluded vacation — I particularly recommend a stay at the charming Apple Orchard Inn!

Pros of Staying in Hermosa Neighborhood:

• Quiet
• Beautiful views

Cons of Staying in Hermosa Neighborhood:

• You’ll need to drive to bars, restaurants, and most attractions

Mesa Verde Area

👉 Best Area For Visiting Mesa Verde | ✨ Best Mesa Verde Hotels: Far View Lodge • Mancos Inn • Starry Nights Ranch Bed & Breakfast

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the best places to visit in Colorado. The closest town is Mancos. It’s a very small town, but you’ll be just 10 minutes from the park entrance. There are some shops, restaurants, and galleries in Mancos, but the big draw is definitely Mesa Verde and its iconic cliff dwellings.

For more, see our guide on the best places to stay near Mesa Verde National Park.

Pros of Staying in Mancos Neighborhood:

• Close to Mesa Verde National Park
• Small town feel
• Several shops and restaurants

Cons of Staying in Mancos Neighborhood:

• Not much nightlife

Tips for Staying in Durango

Layer Up

Colorado weather is notoriously fickle. Locals wear t-shirts while spring skiing, yet sometimes, we need winter jackets in August! Regardless of when you visit, include several layers on your Colorado packing list — plus a pack to carry them in when you want to take them off. 

Always Wear Sunscreen

It’s easy to forget about sunscreen on freezing winter days, but the worst sunburn I ever got was on a ski slope! Be sure to use a high-SPF sunscreen for your face, and a sport sunscreen on your arms and legs if needed — like when soaking in local hot springs.

Don’t Rely on Cell Phones

Cell service in Durango can be sketchy. This is especially true near Purgatory Resort, one of Colorado’s top ski areas, and other surrounding mountain regions.

You may want to bring a map and either print out or screenshot any directions before exploring attractions in Durango. Hike or travel with others and make sure you have a backup plan that doesn’t rely on phone service.

Book in the Off-Season

Durango is definitely a seasonal town. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, one of Colorado’s most scenic train rides, and Mesa Verde National Park are huge draws in summer. Meanwhile, winter sports make Durango popular in winter.

You’ll find cheaper hotels in Durango and fewer tourists during the fall and spring. 

Watch the Parking Meters

Downtown Durango has parking meters that require money from 8 am – 6 pm every weekday. Weekends and most holidays are free. There are also some public lots and you can buy an overnight parking pass at the Durango Transit Center. 

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FAQs About Where to Stay in Durango

Is Durango expensive?

Durango can be an expensive place to visit. Tickets to popular attractions like the Narrow Gauge Railroad and Purgatory Resort can add up. However, many outdoor activities are free. Durango hotels range from inexpensive to upscale. Consider visiting in the fall or spring for lower nightly rates. 

Durango also has a higher-than-average cost of living. However, it’s one of the best places to live in Colorado. 

Is it better to stay in Durango or Cortez?

It is better to stay in Durango than Cortez. Cortez is closer to Mesa Verde National Park, but Durango has many more options for tourists. There are a variety of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops in Durango, as well as an inexpensive transit system. You’ll also be closer to attractions like the Narrow Gauge Railroad.

What is Durango, CO is known for?

Durango, CO is known for Purgatory Ski Resort and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. However, there are many more things to do in Durango! 

The former mining town in southwest Colorado has also been featured in many movies. This includes the scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid where they end up in the Animas River.

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If you’ll be spending more time in the state, be sure to check out my guide on other great places to visit in Colorado!