Play: Horseback Riding

Vail Stables

Conveniently located 1 mile NW of downtown Vail, Colorado,

our rustic, little outfit offers something for everyone.

Claim your all-access pass through the beautiful backcountry of the Rockies on horseback.  The trails are truly awe-inspiring with wide-open scenic views, and dense Aspen glades with lush green undergrowth that includes giant Cow Parsnip with their large, delicate flower. 

The rides are a mix of adventure, relaxation and quiet for the ultimate horse experience in the mountains including wildlife sightings, singing birds, lush green Aspen glades with their quaking leaves and blankets of wildflowers under blue, blue Vail skies.  The horses are gentle, yet perky.  The guides are knowledgable and quiet, yet engaged.

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All Aboard!

All Aboard!

All Aboard – it’s that time

Welcome to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! We’re glad you’ve chosen to visit. Whether you are new to experiencing this legendary railroad or have been a returning guest for years, we look forward to offering you the best in year-round historic train adventures presented today as they were in 1882! We invite you to hop aboard and relive the “Golden Age” on our railroad, which was voted “#1 Best Scenic Train in North America “ by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2021 & 2022, “Best Historic Railroad of the West” 2021-23 by TrueWest Magazine Readers, and “Best Train Experience in the West” in 2016 by Sunset Magazine. Order a FREE All-Aboard Guide.

About D&SNGRR

Our family has dedicated decades to preserving the history surrounding this national treasure, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This railroad is designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service and an American Society of Civil Engineering Landmark.

When is the best time to visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad? Any time of the year!

During the winter, we offer exclusive round-trip train adventures deep into the heart of the San Juan National Forest to Cascade Canyon as well as the premier holiday family event train, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train ride.

If you’re visiting in the springtime, your train excursion may feature incredible waterfalls during the spring thaw season as you journey to Cascade Canyon.

All Aborad

All Aboard in the Summer

Summer is high season at the D&S with daily full day Durango to Silverton excursions May through October departing from Durango. We also offer daily 5-hour excursions on the Cascade Canyon Express seven days a week during the high season. These rail journeys also depart from the Durango Depot and travel to Cascade Canyon and are a perfect highlight reel of spectacular Rocky Mountain vistas for those with limited time.

Autumn offers you a unique way to experience peak leaf season from the comfort of the D&S train. Connect with family and friends as you explore the Rocky Mountains by historic railway. Sit back and allow yourself to be transported through a riot of blazing fall colors featuring the spectacular golden glow of aspens.

However you choose to relax and connect on the D&S train, and whatever adventure awaits you, we hope you have an inspiring journey where you create wonderful life-long memories!

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Castle Rock Colorado

Castle Rock

Things To Do in Castle Rock

It’s easy to see how Castle Rock got its name when one spies the castle-shaped butte towering high above the town center. The town’s history is also easily visible in the original, well-preserved homes, cafés, and churches throughout the area. Many of these were built using the unusual rhyolite stone that originally attracted the settlers who founded the town in the mid-to-late 18th century. Prior to their arrival, the area was occupied by Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indian tribes. Today, nearly 60,0000 people call Castle Rock home.

With roots in mining and railroads, this affluent town offers an updated taste of the Old West. It boasts a historic downtown area, 265 acres of parks, and 44 miles of trails.  Castle Rock, easily accessible by Interstate 25, is home to the Outlets at Castle Rock (the largest open-air outlet center in the State) and is the seat of Douglas County.  The town encompasses 33 square miles and sits in the East Plum Creek Valley at the base of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 6,202 feet.

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Castle Rock is a safe and welcoming place to enjoy the brisk Colorado air year round.

Castle Rock neighborhood

 

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Harvard City Riding Stables

Harvard City Riding Stables

Experience Colorado high-country at it’s finest from the back of a horse! At Harvard City Riding Stables we have a variety of the prettiest high lakes in Colorado available to you for trail rides, fishing, and pack trips.

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South Park

South Park, Colorado

Perched high in the Colorado Rockies, South Park Colorado is a microcosm of Western history.  From deep canyons to vast grasslands to snowy peaks and alpine meadows, this compelling basin is home to the nation’s highest incorporated town, gold mines, cattle ranches, and mountain passes.  As one of only 49 National Heritage Areas in the United States, South Park offers a rare glimpse of pioneer life at high altitudes during the settlement of the American West.

South Park Colorado is a landscape rich with heritage and attracts individuals who value western authenticity.  Some ranches have been operated for five generations by the same family.  As they have for centuries, residents still depend on the land for their livelihood, recreation, and quality of life.  As other places lose their inherent charm, South Park becomes a more engaging destination. 

More About South Park Colorado

Perhaps you’re curious about the more modern attraction, the cartoon South Park. What does South Park Colorado have to do with the cartoon anyway? One can really only speculate on the subject. Perhaps these two places (one real, the other fictional) have nothing to do with one another. It’s just mere coincidence that they bear similar naming. However, it’s also possible that there’s more to it than mere coincidence. One similarity that stands out is that the historical South Park was outlandish, full of ironies, and scandal. This is also true about the cartoon. Learn more about South Park, Fairplay and Conifer Colorado. There are some interesting connections between them that might just satisfy your curiosity.

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Highway US 24 Corridor

Transcontinental Highway of 1926 – US 24

U.S. Hwy 24 or Route 24 is one of the original transcontinental highways of 1926. Initially, it started at Pontiac, Michigan in the east and headed west, and terminated at Kansas City, Missouri. Today US 24 runs from Independence Township, Michigan at an intersection with I-75, and terminates at Minturn, Colorado at an intersection with I-70.

When the US highway system was started in 1926, US Route 24 in Colorado was called US 40S. This highway started in Grand Junction and proceeded west along the current I-70 route to Minturn. Then proceeded to the current route to Limon. From Limon, it proceeded to the Kansas border and was called US 40N. The US 40S and US 40N, west and east of Limon respectively received US 24 designation in 1936; however, in 1975 when US 24 was extended west from Kansas City, Missouri. The stretch between Grand Junction and Minturn was decommissioned.

Looking back on the naming and development of US Route 24 and how this transitioned into other major highways is confusing, to say the least; however, it does let us know that US 24 was an important highway in terms of western migration and the development of west/central United States.

Telegraph Road

Dixie Highway in Pontiac, Michigan, and Laskey Road in Toledo, Ohio, denote a section of highway that was known as Telegraph Road. This telling name came about before the highway even existed after the telegraph wires which ultimately ran parallel to the route. US Route 24 was the western edge of Telegraph Road that ran through Detroit. Mark Knopfler of the Dire Straits even wrote the song “Telegraph Road”, which is the story of the development and decay of this highway.

 

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SK Horses

SK Horses

For the adventurous spirit, or the nostalgic amble, enjoy miles of scenic mountain trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park! Colorado horseback riding at its best!

Join us and enjoy our genuine Western hospitality where you will find Friendly, knowledgeable guides to assist all ages and abilities. Beautiful, well-kept horses to match your riding ability.

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KODI Rafting

About KODI Rafting and Adventure Tours

Based out of Frisco Colorado, Kodi Rafting and Adventures takes pride in offering hand-crafted rafting trips or adventures to meet your expectations. They take price in their small-town values. They call this “KODI Family Values.”

KODI Rafting float

KODI Rafting Trips

Rafting trips are full and half-day. Choose from 30 different raft trips on six Colorado rivers throughout the state. Kodi Rafting will recommend what river and type of experience is best for your group. All river gear is included in the reservation.

KODI Rafting Adventure Destinations

Rafting and Family Adventure in Frisco, Breckenridge, Denver, Idaho Springs, Buena Vista and Kremmling, CO. 

Rafting with KODI is a great way to enjoy a unique Colorado experience. Let us put the wet and wild in your family vacation! For nearly 30 years we have provided guided whitewater trips on some of the most spectacular rivers in Colorado. With over 30 raft trips on six Colorado rivers, we have something for everyone, whether you are looking for a scenic family float or a wild whitewater rafting challenge.

We have been a professional rafting outfitter since 1986, and have been voted “Best of Summit County” in the Summit Daily News poll, nine times! No need to just take the “locals” word for it; we are also rated 5-Stars on Yelp, and earned a Certificate of Excellence on Trip Adviser with over 200 positive reviews.

KODI Adventure Packages

KODI knows how to make the most out of your Colorado vacation by offering prearranged adventure packages. They have adventure trips for all ages, including seniors.

  • Saddle Paddle – take a horseback ride in combination with your raft trip.
  • Zipline and Rafting – feel the thrill of zipline and the thrill of rafting back to back.
  • Jeep and side-by-side Rentals – explore the trails around Buena Vista.
  • Duckie Kayak Trip – test your paddle skills in a two-person kayak, can be an add-on.
  • Paddle and Hot Springs – add-on to any river trip.
  • Zip and Snowmobile – a new winter activity.
  • Winter Zipline – an amazing view of the winter landscape.

 

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