Durango to Silverton, Colorado
Durango to Silverton Train Guide
How to choose round-trip tickets, use the Silverton layover, or turn the Narrow Gauge ride into an overnight San Juan Mountains weekend.
Arriving in Silverton
The steam train pulls into Silverton's historic depot at the north end of Greene Street after a 3.5-hour journey through the Animas River gorge. Stepping off the train into Silverton for the first time is genuinely disorienting — in the best possible way. You're at 9,318 feet, surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks on every side, in a town that looks almost exactly as it did in 1890.
The train stays in Silverton for roughly 2 hours before departing on the return journey. Here's how to make the most of your time.
Decide before you book
Choose the ride shape that matches the trip you actually want
Round-trip train day
Best when the Animas Canyon ride is the main reason for the trip and you are comfortable treating Silverton as a vivid, short layover.
Train up, overnight in Silverton
Best when you want the town after the train crowd leaves, with dinner, quiet streets, and a morning that starts already surrounded by the San Juans.
Drive one direction
Best when schedules, road conditions, or a wider Colorado loop make the Million Dollar Highway part of the experience. Check conditions first.
Day Trip vs. Overnight
Day trip (most common)
You get about 2 hours in Silverton. Enough for the highlights: walk Greene Street, grab lunch, see the depot and mining displays. But it goes fast — the town is distracting.
Overnight (stronger if you can spare it)
Stay a night in Silverton and the entire experience changes. After the day-trippers leave, the town becomes something quieter and more real. Catch the train back in the morning. Book lodging well in advance.
Two-hour plan
If you are riding back the same day, spend the stop like it is short
Step off and get oriented
The depot puts you at the north end of Greene Street. Confirm the return time, notice how far lunch and shops are from the platform, and give altitude a little respect before moving fast.
Choose lunch or a history stop
Two hours can hold a good meal, a focused walk, or a mining-history stop. It cannot hold the whole town plus a backcountry excursion.
Leave a final photo buffer
The peaks, storefronts, restrooms, and depot photos all take longer when everyone is drifting back at once. Start returning before the final call feels urgent.
Tips for the Train
- →Sit on the left side: Heading from Durango to Silverton, the left side of the train faces the canyon wall and river gorge — the most dramatic views. Coming back, switch to the right.
- →Book early: Summer weekends and fall foliage weeks sell out months ahead. Go to durangotrain.com as soon as your dates are set.
- →Bring layers: The open gondola cars are beautiful but cold at altitude, even in summer. Bring a fleece. The steam engine also produces soot — wear something you don't mind getting a little dirty.
- →Don't miss the train back: Seriously. The train will leave without you. Set an alarm 30 minutes before departure.
The Starting Point
Explore Durango First
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad departs from Durango — a full-service mountain town worth a night or two of its own. Great restaurants, craft breweries, mountain biking, and the historic depot are all waiting.
Explore Durango →Rail-trip choices
Decide whether the ride, the layover, or the Durango overnight gets the most attention
Train ride
Protect the scenery, narration, and slow rail rhythm when the journey itself is why you came.
Silverton layover
Use the endpoint deliberately for food, photos, and mining-town wandering instead of treating it as a platform break.
Durango overnight
For easier lodging and meals, many railroad trips work better when Durango handles the comfortable end of the day.
Official planning links
Check schedules, town details, and road conditions before locking the day
What to Bring
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Osprey Sportlite 20L Unisex Hiking Backpack, Dark Charc…
Bushnell H2O Xtreme Binoculars_FullyMultiCoated_Waterpr…
Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Fleece Jacket Cha…
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More national park day pack guide picks on Second Star Guide →
Silverton Railroad Arrival FAQ
A few practical notes for making the most of a Narrow Gauge stop in Silverton.
01How much time do day-trippers usually get in Silverton?+
That depends on the specific ticket and season, but many visitors should think in terms of a few concentrated hours rather than a full leisurely day unless they are staying overnight or using a different return option.
02Can I do a jeep tour on the same day as the train?+
Sometimes, but it can make the day feel rushed. If off-road alpine scenery is a major priority, staying overnight in Silverton usually creates a much better pace.
03What should I pack for a Silverton arrival day?+
Layers, water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes are the basics. Even in summer, mountain weather and altitude can make the day feel cooler and more intense than visitors expect.
04Is it better to ride the train both ways or stay overnight?+
A same-day round trip is the classic choice if the Animas Canyon ride is the main event. Staying overnight is better if you want Silverton after the train crowd leaves, with dinner, quiet streets, and more time for mining history or mountain scenery.
05Which side of the train has the best views?+
Heading toward Silverton, the left side is often preferred for the canyon wall and river gorge. On the return, the right side gets that perspective. Open cars can be colder and sootier, so dress for comfort rather than just the forecast.
06Should I stay in Silverton overnight or use Durango as the base?+
Use Durango if you want more lodging, restaurants, and easier logistics around the railroad. Stay in Silverton if you want quiet streets after the train crowd leaves, easier access to morning mountain scenery, or enough time for jeep roads and mining-history stops.
07What is the best reason to add a second day in Silverton?+
A second day is best for high-country scenery: a guided jeep tour, Alpine Loop roads, wildflowers, Ice Lakes-area hiking, or a slower morning before returning to Durango. A same-day train stop is better kept close to town.
Book related experiences
Browse tours and activity options that fit this trip.
Durango: Round-Trip Train Ticket to Silverton
Enjoy a first-class round-trip train ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the scenic San Juan National Forest with a 2.5-hour visit in historic Silverton.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pair these guides with your Silverton plans so the next step is easy.
More things to do in Silverton
Round out this trip with more attractions, tours, and local experiences.
Where to stay in Silverton
Choose where to stay before the rest of the itinerary starts to harden.
Restaurants in Silverton
Plan food stops so the best parts of the day do not turn into last-minute searches.
Getting to Silverton
Dial in airports, drive time, parking, and arrival logistics before you go.
Before you go
Official sources to check before you go
Use these official and public sources to confirm the details that change: hours, maps, tickets, reservations, road access, weather, and seasonal timing.
