Life In & Around Southwest Colorado

Golf: For championship golf with amazing views, visit Conquistador Golf Course. Located in Cortez, Conquistador offers 18 holes with views of La Plata Peak, Mesa Verde, and Sleeping Ute Mountain. While Durango is home to many courses, perhaps the most notable is Dalton Ranch Golf Club, which winds along the Animas River beneath the stunning San Juan Mountains. Telluride, of course, is home to the Telluride Golf Club, a magnificent 18-hole course surrounded by mountains and aspen groves.

Fishing: McPhee Lake, the second-largest lake in Colorado, has been described as "the best fishing spot in the San Juan Basin." Managed as a two-story lake, it’s able to support both cold and warm water fish, including Kokanee salmon, channel catfish, rainbow trout, large and smallmouth bass, green sunfish, and yellow perch. Vallecito Lake is about 23 miles from Durango and offers excellent fishing in the midst of the San Juan National Forest.

Skiing: Durango Mountain Resort features skiing at Purgatory Mountain, which has a base elevation of 8,793 feet, 11 lifts, and 85 trails. The resort also provides opportunities for snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snowbiking. The Telluride Ski Resort boasts 17 lifts and 92 trails ranging from beginner to expert.

Outdoor Recreation: While Cortez and Dolores abound with parks, walking and hiking trails, and bike paths, the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is just an hour west and is one of the most fascinating archaeological and hiking sites in the west. Mesa Verde National Park is about 45 minutes south of McPhee Lake Ranch and offers miles of hiking trails through more than 4,000 archeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings.

Dining: For authentic southwest cuisine, look no further than Durango. The area is known for incorporating locally grown products into a variety of innovative dishes. Experience fish, wild game, gourmet cheeses, and chocolate—all with an old-west flair. Visit nearby Telluride for four-star dining, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, brewpubs, and sports bars.

Festivals: Telluride offers some of the best festivals you'll find west of the Mississippi. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival has been attracting music lovers for more than 30 years and showcases the talent of well-known stars as well as up-and-coming artists. Other Telluride festivals include the Telluride Film Festival, the Blues and Brews Festival, and the Wine Festival.