La Plata Canyon Jeep Tours from Durango

Overview

Our Durango Jeep tour travels up La Plata Canyon, a rugged ravine nestled in an alpine paradise.

Here in this glacially sculpted landscape, you’ll find waterfalls cascading into the canyon, hallways of glimmering aspens, countless wildflowers, wildlife scurrying between the meadows, and panoramic views of Colorado's most beautiful Rocky Mountains. Like we said, paradise!

Our fun-loving and experienced guides are Durango locals, who know this canyon's rich history and ecology like nobody else. While other outfitters tend to let the scenery do all the work for them, our guides give you a wealth of insight about what makes this area incredibly special. They're also talented drivers who will get you up this rutted trail without a hitch.

Most people don't want to take their own vehicles up this old mining route, and our open-air Jeeps are customized for a smoother ride— although it will still be bumpy about half way through. It's all a part of the fun!

City: Durango

Mon 19 May

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $129.71

Make a reservation

Mon 19 May

Starting at $129.71

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Water

Granola Bars

Blankets

Ponchos

Knowledgeable guides

Customized, Open-Air Jeep

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You must bring your own car seats for children who require them. CO Car Seat Law states that children up to 8 years old must be in an appropriate car seat.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in for the tour!

What To Expect

Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours

Meet us at our Durango Office in the morning or afternoon for a 4-hour excursion up the ruggedly beautiful wilderness of La Plata Canyon, just 20 minutes from town. The trail starts off smooth and slowly transitions into a rubbled road about half up the canyon. Get ready to rock around and get to know the person next to you! As we make our way up the mountain, we'll stop to check out some waterfalls, meadows, and old remnants from Colorado's wild mining era. On the way up, keep your eyes peeled for deer, marmot, fox, birds of prey— and if you’re lucky, a moose or bear! Once we've reached the top of the canyon, we'll take some time to enjoy a spectacular view of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado's most beloved Rockies! From late June to early August, this is the perfect off-roading trail for wildflowers. In late September to early October, the large aspen groves make for amazing fall colors

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (239)

Steven H

Aug 2018

We went on the morning tour and loved every minute of it! Our guide, Jay was awesome! Beautiful views and a fun ride! Take a jacket for the highway ride (about 15-20 minutes)! Highly recommend this tour!

chap7002

Jul 2018

My husband and I booked a 4-hour jeep tour for the morning of the 4th of July. Everyone in the office was so friendly and professional. We arrived early and met Jay who was our driver and guide for the tour. Jay is fantastic, friendly and very informative of the geology and nature of the area. Because of the 416 fire in the Durango area Jay took us on a different trail away from the smoke so that we could enjoy the beauty and not be smoked out. The trail was part of the old stage trail from Silverton to Durango during the 1800s. We saw lily ponds with beaver dams, two bucks and or course a squirrel or two. The mountains in the San Juan mountains are absolutely beautiful and of course the quaking aspen were amazing. Jay was so accommodating to stopping and letting us out to take pictures. And yes Jay and Jerry jokes were corny but funny. Thank you for such a great experience!!!

Joy B

Jun 2018

If it hadn't been for the low water levels and area wild fires this year, we would have taken another rafting tour over Father's Day weekend. The Jeep tour, however, turned out to be a fabulous alternative and we are so glad we had the chance to experience it. There are so many old mining areas tucked around the mountains, and each Jeep tour takes its own path. The experience revolves around your individual guide's knowledge and enthusiasm. We adored Jared, who talked fluidly about the flora and fauna of the region, the geology, mining processes, and the history of the companies in the region -- how they lured workers to cross the country (and in some cases the world) to join the mining effort, as well as some of the famous strikes and famous disasters. Over the course of the trip, he picked wild flowers, identifying each one and arranging a bouquet for us to take back to the hotel. I loved that we could get out and walk around the ruins -- nothing was fenced or roped off, so you could stand right on the foundations, say, of an old the miners' boarding house. What a tremendous walk through history. As we got higher up, the scenery became spectacular. My daughter "borrowed" my camera and never gave it back! It was a wonderful day.

Response from Host

Jun 2018

Glad you enjoyed your ride through history on our Durango Jeep Tour with Jared. It is amazing what the Colorado Mountains have to share! Thanks for sharing your experience. We are having fun on the river rafting too...we missed you on the river.