Durango Train and Silverton Jeep Tour Package

One day, two classic Colorado rides. This Durango outing pairs a scenic morning drive along the San Juan Skyway with an open-air Jeep tour above Silverton, then sends you home through the Animas River Canyon by narrow-gauge train. I like the mix of road, rough mountain track, and rail travel, and I like that local guides such as Kat and Jay Bird add stories and good humor along the way. The main catch is important: your train ticket is not included in the $214.92 price.

You begin at 8 a.m. outside the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station and finish back there roughly 10 hours and 30 minutes later. The small group, capped at 14 people, suits anyone who wants more personal attention than a large coach tour allows. Still, the Jeep ride can be rough, and one poor experience involved an uncomfortable Ford pickup, so this is not the right choice if you need a smooth, gentle ride.

Key points to know before booking

• The train ticket costs extra: You must buy the Silverton to Durango train ride separately, even though the return rail journey is central to the day.
• Three different ways to see the San Juans: You get a scenic van ride, an open-air Jeep excursion, and a four-hour train journey through the Animas River Canyon.
• The Jeep section lasts about three hours: It reaches old mining settlements, open meadows, and high viewpoints above Silverton.
• Silverton gives you about one hour: Use it for lunch, a quick look around town, and shopping near the train station.
• The guides are a major strength: Kat and Jay Bird have been praised for humor, local information, flexibility, and care in poor weather.
• Plan for a full day: The 8 a.m. start, 10.5-hour duration, and mountain roads leave little room for a late morning or a long lunch.

Why this Durango to Silverton day works so well

I like this package because it avoids making you choose between the famous train and the high country. You get the San Juan Skyway by road, reach places a train cannot, then return by rail through scenery that is difficult to appreciate from a highway.

That change of pace matters. The van gets you from Durango to Silverton efficiently. The Jeep takes you onto mountain routes and near former mining settlements. The train then slows everything down, giving you about four hours to watch the Animas River and the San Juan peaks pass by.

The route also has a strong sense of place. Silverton is not just a turn-around point. It is the base for the Jeep trip and the departure point for the railroad, so the day connects the town’s mining past with its dramatic mountain setting.

The package costs $214.92 per person, but that figure does not cover the train fare or meals. I would treat the advertised price as the cost of the van and Jeep portions, not the final price of the complete day. Check the separate rail fare before booking, especially if you are planning a tight holiday budget.

At the same time, the price can offer good value if you want a guide and a simple plan. You are not arranging separate transport to Silverton, finding a Jeep operator, and then trying to coordinate a train home. The train reservation is still your responsibility, but the rest of the day follows a clear route.

The 8 a.m. start in Durango

Your morning begins at 479 Main Avenue, beside the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This is both the meeting point and the end point, which makes the day easier to manage if you are staying near central Durango or using nearby public transportation.

The first leg is a scenic drive in an air-conditioned tour van. The vehicle has space for up to 16 people, while the activity itself is limited to 14 participants. That smaller group should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions without shouting across a full coach.

The drive follows the San Juan Skyway toward Silverton. The route is known for views of peaks reaching 14,000 feet, and the guide provides commentary along the way. This is more than a transfer. It is your first look at the scale of the San Juan Mountains before the Jeep climbs away from the main route.

Bring water and a layer you can add or remove. Water bottles are provided, but mountain weather can change quickly. One party had cold rain during the Jeep portion and received blankets from guide Jay Bird, yet you should not count on any one comfort item being available every time.

Three hours above Silverton by open-air Jeep

The Jeep section is the day’s active centerpiece. For about three hours, you travel into the San Juan Mountains above Silverton in an open-air vehicle. Expect views, old mining settlements, meadows, and wide mountain outlooks, with the guide explaining what you are seeing and answering questions.

The old settlements give the ride more meaning than a simple scenic loop. These places connect the mountain views with the people who worked in the area roughly 150 years ago. The guide’s stories help turn scattered structures and rough roads into part of a larger local story.

I especially like the chance to reach areas that are not part of the train ride. The railroad follows the Animas River canyon, while the Jeep climbs into the mountain country above Silverton. You get two very different views of the same region.

The open-air format is also a mixed blessing. It gives you an unobstructed view and makes the ride feel more connected to the weather and surroundings. It also leaves you more exposed to cold, rain, and wind. A blanket helped one group during a wet, chilly outing, but warm clothing remains your best plan.

The road itself can be rough. One dissatisfied participant described a rattle-prone Ford pickup that was difficult to enter and leave, along with an excessively bumpy ride. That account should not be ignored. The Jeep is part of the appeal, but anyone with mobility concerns or a strong dislike of jolting roads should ask the operator about the vehicle and route before paying.

Guides can make a large difference here. Kat has been praised for adjusting to what the group wanted, keeping the mood light, and explaining the area clearly. Jay Bird was singled out for being funny, attentive, and careful about comfort during cold rain. Those details suggest a personal guiding style rather than a simple drive with a recorded script.

One hour in Silverton, a useful pause

After the Jeep trip, you get about an hour in Silverton. This is enough time to eat lunch, browse shops, and take in the town around the railroad station, but it is not a long free afternoon.

Keep your meal simple and watch the clock. The train leaves from town, and the rail section is the fixed part of your return journey. If you spend too long shopping or wait for a slow lunch, you risk turning a pleasant break into a hurried dash.

Silverton’s location makes this hour worthwhile. The town serves as a natural meeting point between the high mountain roads and the railroad. You can look around, get a sense of the former mining community, and then board the train for a much slower trip back toward Durango.

The limited time is also a drawback. If you want a long meal, careful shopping, or a relaxed visit to every corner of town, this package will feel rushed. I would arrive with a plan: eat first, then use any remaining minutes for shops and a short walk.

Four hours through the Animas River Canyon

The final major section is the train ride from Silverton to Durango. It takes about four hours and travels through the Animas River Canyon in the San Juan National Forest.

This is the quiet counterpoint to the Jeep. Instead of bumping along a mountain road, you can settle in and watch the river below, with tall peaks rising beyond it. The scenery is repeatedly described as breathtaking, and the train gives you time to appreciate it without needing to navigate or watch the road.

The blue Animas River is a central feature of the return. The canyon concentrates the view, with water below and steep mountain walls around you. After the open mountain routes, the railroad offers a different sense of scale and motion.

Do not assume the train is included because the package is built around it. You need to purchase that ticket separately. This is the most important practical point in the entire experience, and one person nearly had trouble finding a ticket when online availability was limited. Staff member Will helped that party secure the needed ride, but you should arrange the rail ticket early rather than depend on last-minute assistance.

The train journey is also why the day runs so long. Three hours in the Jeep, one hour in Silverton, and four hours on the railroad already account for most of the schedule. Add the morning drive and transfers, and the 10.5-hour total makes sense.

Guides, group size, and the human touch

The activity is limited to 14 people and offered in English. That is a useful size for a vehicle-based outing. You should have a better chance of hearing the guide, asking questions, and getting help if the weather turns unpleasant.

The strongest praise centers on the guides. Kat is described as fun, responsive, and good at shaping the Jeep portion around the group. Jay Bird is praised for his humor, local information, and attention to comfort. Those traits matter because the Jeep ride is not just transportation. Your guide controls much of the rhythm, explanation, and feel of the mountain portion.

The company also provides interpretive local guides rather than leaving you to look at the scenery without context. That is valuable in an area where abandoned settlements, mountain roads, and river corridors can seem disconnected without explanation.

Still, no guide can remove the physical limits of the day. You remain in vehicles for much of the experience, and the Jeep ride may be rough. The high rating of 4.9 from 39 ratings and a 97 percent recommendation rate point to strong overall satisfaction, but the one-star account is a useful warning for anyone sensitive to vehicle comfort.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Wear comfortable clothes in layers. The open-air Jeep can be cold or wet, while the van is air-conditioned and the train portion lasts several hours. A water bottle is supplied, but you may want additional drinks or snacks because meals are not included.

Budget separately for three things:

• The train ticket from Silverton to Durango
• Lunch in Silverton
• Any snacks or drinks beyond the supplied water

Keep your schedule open for the full day. The start time is 8 a.m., and the activity ends back at the Durango railroad meeting point after roughly 10 hours and 30 minutes. Do not place an important evening reservation too close to the expected finish.

You should also check the train ticket before committing to the package. The train is not a minor add-on. It is the return transport and one of the best parts of the experience. If that fare is unavailable or too expensive, the package may no longer suit your plans.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the experience can be canceled if its minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who should book this Durango experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day with several kinds of scenery and do not want to organize the transport yourself. It suits first-time visitors to Durango, people who want a guided introduction to the San Juan Mountains, and anyone who values local stories as much as photographs.

It is especially good for people who want both the high-country feel of a Jeep route and the slower views from the historic railroad. The combination gives you more variety than choosing only a train ride or only a Jeep tour.

I would hesitate if you need a smooth ride, have trouble climbing into a vehicle, or dislike long days. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise a fully accessible experience, and the rough-road complaint deserves attention.

I would also hesitate if the extra train ticket causes budget stress. At $214.92 before rail fare and meals, the package is not a low-cost outing. Its value comes from convenience, guiding, and variety, not from including every expense.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a tightly organized Durango day that combines the San Juan Skyway, a three-hour Jeep trip, one hour in Silverton, and a four-hour railroad journey through the Animas River Canyon.

Before you commit, confirm the separate train fare, prepare for mountain weather, and accept that the Jeep may be bumpy. If you do, this is a strong choice for scenery, local stories, and a memorable return to Durango by rail. If you want a gentle ride or a relaxed afternoon in Silverton, choose a simpler outing instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Avenue in Durango, Colorado.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 8 a.m.

Where does the experience end?

It ends back at the meeting point in Durango.

How long does the full experience last?

The full day lasts approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes.

Is the train ticket included?

No. You must purchase the train ticket separately for the journey from Silverton to Durango.

How long is the Jeep tour?

The open-air Jeep portion lasts about three hours.

How much time do you get in Silverton?

You get about one hour in Silverton for lunch, shopping, and exploring near the station.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included, so you should plan to buy lunch in Silverton.

How many people can join the experience?

The activity has a maximum of 14 participants.