If you have one free day near Durango, spend it in Silverton. The town is a National Historic Landmark, per Britannica, perched at 9,318 feet, and you can reach it by steam train (45 miles) or by driving over the Million Dollar Highway (about 48). Even better, stay the night: once the last train pulls out, the place goes quiet and you get Greene Street mostly to yourself. Below, how to get there, what to see, where to sleep and when to go.
How do you get from Durango to Silverton?
Two classic ways, and both are sights on their own.
| Option | Time | Season | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | 9.25 hours round trip with a 2-hour layover | May 2 to Nov 1, 2026 | No driving, canyon views no road reaches |
| Million Dollar Highway (US-550) | About 48 miles each way | Year-round, weather permitting | Your own schedule, a Jeep, bikes or the dog |
The train is the headline. A coal-fired steam engine climbs 45 miles up the Animas canyon, through country with no road, and drops you in the middle of town. The railroad finished the line to Silverton in July 1882, it says, to haul silver and gold ore. In winter, trains stop at Cascade Canyon instead, so plan accordingly.
The highway is the other showpiece, though be careful with the name. Plenty of people say Million Dollar Highway for all of US-550, but CDOT reserves it for the Ouray-to-Silverton stretch, the one with cliff edges and hairpins. Drive it in daylight, don't rush, and pull over for the faster locals behind you.
What's in town?
You can walk Silverton end to end in an afternoon. Two streets organize it.
Start on Greene Street, the only paved street in town and home to the restaurants, shops and visitor center. Then step one block over to Blair Street, unpaved, where the saloons and dance halls once did their business and where the buildings still look the part.
Add the 1902 County Jail Museum, run by the San Juan County Historical Society, and you've seen the core. For the longer story, see our Silverton things to do guide on Travel Durango.
Where did Silverton come from?
Silver, mostly. Prospectors poured into the San Juans in the 1870s. Silverton became the seat of San Juan County in 1876, per Britannica, and the railroad arrived six years later. The mines boomed and faded, but the buildings stayed.
The town has had hard times. The Spanish flu hit in 1918, and the railroad's own history says 10 percent of Silverton's people died in six weeks. What you walk past today is mostly what survived.
What can you do in Silverton?
- Ride or watch the train. Even if you drive up, the arriving steam engine is the town's daily event.
- Drive the Alpine Loop. The Bureau of Land Management calls it a 4x4-only road that tops out at 12,800 feet and links Lake City, Silverton and Ouray. Jeep and side-by-side rentals run out of town in summer.
- Hike. Molas Pass puts you on the Colorado Trail. Ice Lake Basin is the famous climb, but part of it burned in the October 2020 Ice Fire, so check Forest Service status first.
- Go underground. The Mayflower Mill (May 20 to Oct 15, 2026) and the Old Hundred Gold Mine tour (May 9 to Oct 15, 2026) are summer-only.
- Ski. Kendall Mountain runs a small community hill, and Silverton Mountain's ungroomed, avalanche-gear-required unguided season is March 17 to April 11, 2027.
- Pace yourself. At 9,300 feet even a short walk can leave you winded, so keep your first day easy.
Where should you stay?
A night here is worth it. Lodging is a handful of small, independent motels in the walkable core, and summer weekends sell out. Three anchor the center of town:
- Triangle Motel, 848 Greene Street. Pet-friendly, with an accessible room, and next to a fuel stop. A practical base for a Jeep trip.
- Prospector Motel, 1015 Greene Street. Central and budget-friendly, an easy walk to shops and restaurants.
- Kendall Mountain Lodge, 1025 Blair Street. On the historic side of town, with more mountain-lodge character.
There are no chain hotels to catch the overflow. Book as soon as your dates are set.
When should you visit?
Late June through early September is peak: everything is open, and everything is full. Fall brings golden aspens and thinner crowds before the passes close. Winter is quiet, with limited lodging. Spring is mud season. The high country stays under snow, but rooms are easy to find.
How does Silverton fit into a Durango trip?
Most people treat it as a day or an overnight bracketed by nights in town. Our guide to where to stay in Durango covers the home base, and the things to do and attractions guides map the rest of the region. If you're driving, the Silverton jeep tours guide has the details on the Alpine Loop. If Silverton anchors your trip, book the room there first. It's the one that runs out.