This Package is Currently Unavailable for the 2021 Season.
Experience the Rocky Mountains Up Close and Personal with a Guided ATV Ride!
Available May 13th- October 10th, 2019 (This package is over for 2019. Please check back in 2020 for updated information.)
Experience the Rocky Mountains up close and personal as you ride an all-terrain-vehicle with a knowledgeable guide into the beautiful backcountry to a historic ghost town. Along the way you will witness some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the San Juan Mountains. Your day is complete after riding the historic steam train back to Durango.
Enjoy aleisurely breakfast on your own in Durango before you board the D&S bus in front of the Durango depot at 9:15am for the 9:30am departure bound for historic Silverton. Once you step off the bus at the Silverton train depot, you will meet one of San Juan Backcountry’s experienced guides. You’ll soon be on your ATV and traveling through the San Juan Mountains up to the ghost town of Animas Forks at 12,000 feet elevation! The route will take you along an original train roadbed beside the Animas River. Along the route we’ll stop to eat a picnic lunch with the river and mountains as company. Don’t forget your binoculars, camera and plenty of battery power and memory cards!
The tour guides know this area like the back of their hand and may suggest other tour locations depending on conditions on the day of your ride! Options can be discussed when your group meets up with the tour guide. If time and conditions permit, you may travel to one of the scenic gulches in the area with seas of color from various mountain wildflowers.
San Juan Backcountry drops you at the train stop in Silverton in time for either the 2:30pm or 3:00pm departure of the D&SNG Railroad’s steam train headed to Durango. You will ride on the same rails gold and silver ore took on its way to the smelter and see the same breathtaking views in the Animas River Canyon that ore train crews did back in the 1880s. Your 6:00 or 6:30pm arrival time will bring you in to Durango in time to stroll downtown and enjoy dinner andDurango’s nightlife!
LUNCH
Boxed lunch includes ham, turkey, roast beef or vegetarian sandwich, chips, piece of fruit, cookie and bottled water. You will pre-order your lunch when you book your trip so be ready to choose your sandwich when you call.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: A hat, long pants and sturdy shoes are suggested for safety and comfort. Weather in the mountains can change rapidly so please layer with a shirt and jacket or sweatshirt. San Juan Backcountry has some rain suits and gloves if needed. San Juan Backcountry provides helmets. Helmets are required for guests under 18 years of age. Goggles are also provided but you may choose to bring your own eye protection (goggles/safety glasses/sunglasses) that may fit your face better. Plan to get dirty as these are dirt roads we’ll be traveling on!
May 13-June 2; June 8-9; June 15-16; Aug. 9-Oct. 10:
9:30am – D&S bus departs for Silverton.
11:00am – Arrive in Silverton & meet your guide.
11:15 – 2:00pm – Guided ATV Tour.
2:30pm – Ride steam train to Durango.
June 3-June 7; June 10-14; June 17-Aug. 8
9:30am – D&S bus departs for Silverton.
11:00am – Arrive in Silverton & meet your guide.
11:15 – 2:00pm – Guided ATV Tour.
3:00pm -Ride steam train to Durango.
*(No package trip on May 25 due to highway closure for Iron Horse Bicycle Classic event. Also, no package trip on July 4.)
PEAK FARE DATES: June 24th-August 8th; September 9th-29th
OFF-PEAK FARE DATES: May 4th-June 23rd; August 9th-September 8th; September 30th-October 26th
All drivers must present valid license or permit
Single Machine: Adult: Off-Peak, $248.53 Peak, $253.93
Double (2 on 1 machine): Adults: Off-Peak, $420.84 Peak, $431.64
Adult/Child: Off-Peak, $384.12 Peak, $394.92
Side by Side (2 on 1 Machine)
Adults: Off-Peak, $477.49 Peak, $488.29
Adult/Child: Off-Peak, $440.77 Peak, $451.57
*Pricing based on Standard Coach seating, upgrades available at regular ticket price*
Important! At least one person must be age 16+ with valid driver’s license for each machine.
Contact a Reservation Agent at 888-872-4607to upgrade to aPremium-class train ticket or if you’d like to overnight in Silverton!
Advance Reservations Required. Availability is limited. To book this package call our Reservation Office NOW at 1-888-872-4607.
Hop on board to learn about the latest specials, events, and new train rides
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We are fully open for operations and our 2022 summer season is off to a wonderful and robust start. We experienced a brief pause in railroad operations over three days while we worked through communications with the Forest Service on our operating status while observing agreed upon fire precautions. Concurrently, we were able to rebook passengers to adjacent days when train excursions were operating.
We are now operating daily and our train schedule is in fact expanding as we move deeper into the summer season.
Please know that if we experience any interruptions in service due to future fire precaution levels, we will reach out to all of our guests in a most timely manner to offer information and alternatives.
Thank you”