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Take a 2.5‑hour open-air Jeep through La Plata Canyon from Durango to visit three waterfalls and mining relics, finishing at a private 25–30 ft cascade. This mild tour tops out near 10,000 ft and offers accessible stops for photos and local history.
Take a 2.5‑hour open-air Jeep through La Plata Canyon from Durango to visit three waterfalls and mining relics, finishing at a private 25–30 ft cascade. This mild tour tops out near 10,000 ft and offers accessible stops for photos and local history.
A cloud-sifted sky opens over the canyon as the Jeep rumbles off the highway and into La Plata’s steep-walled corridor. Dust rises, pines lean toward the road, and the guide points out a cascade tucked into a band of cedar and shale; the water seems to hurry you forward, daring you to get closer. Over the next two-and-a-half hours the vehicle climbs toward 10,000 feet, stopping at three distinct waterfalls — the last on private land where a 25–30 foot drop meets broken mining timbers.
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Operated by Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours · Durango, Colorado
A cloud-sifted sky opens over the canyon as the Jeep rumbles off the highway and into La Plata’s steep-walled corridor. Dust rises, pines lean toward the road, and the guide points out a cascade tucked into a band of cedar and shale; the water seems to hurry you forward, daring you to get closer. Over the next two-and-a-half hours the vehicle climbs toward 10,000 feet, stopping at three distinct waterfalls — the last on private land where a 25–30 foot drop meets broken mining timbers.
La Plata Canyon is carved from uplifted volcanic and sedimentary rock, its history written in old mining relics and the ghost-town sites that dot the route. The area grew quickly during Colorado’s late-19th-century silver and lead booms; miners and their families left behind foundations and rusted equipment that now squat among aspens. Geology’s layers are visible in roadside cuts, and alpine meadows give way to subalpine fir as elevation increases.
Culturally, the canyon sits in Ancestral Ute lands; modern Durango maintains a mix of outdoor recreation and small-town Western history. Expect short interpretive stops, photo opportunities, and a guide who can translate the landscape’s stories.
Practicalities: the trip is mild with bumpy dirt roads and open-air seating; dress in layers, bring a camera and hydration, and prepare for dust. Not recommended for those with spinal or serious cardiovascular issues, or for pregnant travelers. The tour is family-friendly but does not provide car seats. Timing mid-morning or late afternoon gives softer light for photos and cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
No, car seats are not provided—families must bring their own compatible restraint if required.
The tour is mild, but the vehicle and some stops involve uneven ground and entering/exiting an open Jeep; it's not recommended for those with serious spinal issues.
The tour stops at three waterfalls; the final stop is on private property and features an up-close 25–30 ft waterfall with nearby historic mining structures.
No, this shorter tour does not go to the top of Kennebec Pass; it reaches roughly 10,000 feet within La Plata Canyon.
Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cloud-sifted sky opens over the canyon as the Jeep rumbles off the highway and into La Plata’s steep-walled corridor. Dust rises, pines lean toward the road, and the guide points out a cascade tucked into a band of cedar and shale; the water seems to hurry you forward, daring you to get closer. Over the next two-and-a-half hours the vehicle climbs toward 10,000 feet, stopping at three distinct waterfalls — the last on private land where a 25–30 foot drop meets broken mining timbers.
A cloud-sifted sky opens over the canyon as the Jeep rumbles off the highway and into La Plata’s steep-walled corridor. Dust rises, pines lean toward the road, and the guide points out a cascade tucked into a band of cedar and shale; the water seems to hurry you forward, daring you to get closer. Over the next two-and-a-half hours the vehicle climbs toward 10,000 feet, stopping at three distinct waterfalls — the last on private land where a 25–30 foot drop meets broken mining timbers.
La Plata Canyon is carved from uplifted volcanic and sedimentary rock, its history written in old mining relics and the ghost-town sites that dot the route. The area grew quickly during Colorado’s late-19th-century silver and lead booms; miners and their families left behind foundations and rusted equipment that now squat among aspens. Geology’s layers are visible in roadside cuts, and alpine meadows give way to subalpine fir as elevation increases.
Culturally, the canyon sits in Ancestral Ute lands; modern Durango maintains a mix of outdoor recreation and small-town Western history. Expect short interpretive stops, photo opportunities, and a guide who can translate the landscape’s stories.
Practicalities: the trip is mild with bumpy dirt roads and open-air seating; dress in layers, bring a camera and hydration, and prepare for dust. Not recommended for those with spinal or serious cardiovascular issues, or for pregnant travelers. The tour is family-friendly but does not provide car seats. Timing mid-morning or late afternoon gives softer light for photos and cooler temperatures at higher elevations.