One of America’s newest National Monuments, Chimney Rock is a sacred place. Chimney Rock National Monument encompasses 4,726 acres, preserving hundreds of prehistoric sites that dot the landscape around the twin spires known as Chimney Rock and Companion Rock. It is the most isolated community connected to Chaco Canyon and it is also the highest in elevation.

The Durango & Silverton Train has been one of the Southwest's most sought-after tourist attractions for over 130 years - since 1882! Experience the pristine backcountry of the San Juan Mountains as you travel from Durango, Colorado to historic Silverton, Colorado aboard one of the last surviving narrow gauge railroads.

Built in 1891, this is one of the largest remaining wooden structures on the western slope, the hotel’s architecture combines Victorian Italianate elegance with the old, wild west. The open second floor veranda extends over the sidewalk to streetside as the grand entrance for stagecoach guests of the past.

Mesa Verde has over 4,700 archaeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings and the mesa top sites of pithouses, pueblos, masonry towers, and farming structure, with many more yet to be discovered. The structures ranged in size from one-room storage units to villages of more than 150 rooms.These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved ruins in the United States.

Follows the route of U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. It is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and includes winding roads, unbelievable views and includes Red Mountain Pass.

This 6,279 acre property is located just 4 miles South of Hesperus and is controlled by Fort Lewis College. Originally used as an army post in 1880, the property became one of North America’s notorious Indian boarding schools, then an agricultural and mechanic arts high school and finally Fort Lewis A&M College.

Durango’s history comes alive at The Historic Strater Hotel. Built in 1887, the historic Strater Hotel is one of the West’s iconic hotels and a prominent downtown Durango, Colorado. This landmark is located two blocks north of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, one hour from Mesa Verde National Park, several hours from the Four Corners Monument, and deep in the heart of the rugged San Juan Mountains and the San Juan Scenic Skyway.

Cortez, Colorado rests between mountains and desert, close enough for high elevation views, but low enough to experience the arid environment of the high desert. It is a unique area distinguished by its awe inspiring scenery and rich ancient history background. Mesa Verde National Park, Crow Canyon Archeological Center, the Anasazi Heritage Center and other treasures have been recognized worldwide for unique ruins and artifacts left by early man and hints of spectacular cultural mysteries.

Dolores is a wonderful small town located in a canyon with the beautiful Dolores River cutting along one side and rock cliffs on the other. Dolores offers a unique mixture of shops, restaurants, taverns and even a brew pub. There are four town parks, a resourceful public library and a peaceful bike trail that runs along the beautiful Dolores River.

Durango Colorado is an idyllic setting in the heart of the Four Corners region. Home to a historic, western downtown as well as iconic attractions like the Victorian Strater Hotel and the famous Durango & Silverton Railroad.

Ignacio is a tri-ethnic community of around 800 people nestled in the southeast corner of La Plata County along with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Located along the Los Pinos River in a long narrow valley facing the mountains, the town still has no stoplights and maintains a strong small town personality. Ignacio consists of a variety of business and residential homes with a unique Southwest Colorado feel.

This small town has a heritage based on cattle ranching and timber. Recreational opportunities include cross-country skiing, hiking trails and mountain bike areas can be found within the San Juan National Forest and Jackson Gulch Lake, which is located in the Mancos State Recreation Area, and Gateways to Mesa Verde National Park.

Located within the San Juan National Forest amid the majestic San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs offers visitors a rich geological and cultural history to explore. The soaring cliffs, ragged peaks, magical alpine pools, undisturbed wilderness, cascading rivers, and soothing hot springs reveal a dramatic geological history that invites voyagers, young and old, to venture into the backcountry.

Silverton’s main business section was built in the late 1800s. Unlike many other mining towns, Silverton never experienced a major fire, and most of the buildings are still standing. Silverton is a National Historic Landmark, part of the San Juan Skyway (with the Million Dollar Highway connecting Silverton to Ouray), home to Animas Forks and the Alpine Loop, the summer destination for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train ride.

A quiet mountain town, with a rich mining and railroad history, Rico still contains several mining structures and historic buildings. Broadway star, suffragette and the first female Speaker of the House in the country, Betty Eyre Pellet co-owned the Pell-Eyre Mining Company which operated a number of the mines in Rico.

The mountains and canyons surrounding Ouray are filled with some of the West’s most unforgettable scenery. You can see vistas where old Hollywood westerns were filmed and explore high country ghost towns that were once booming mining cities. Known as “The Jeeping Capital of the World”, Ouray has a variety of terrain from extreme high mountain passes and rugged winding roads to wide, flower-filled meadows and pastoral valleys.