KidPaths

Denver to Durango and Mesa Verde Road Trip With Kids

This is a full day in the car, so plan it as a two-part trip: Denver to Durango, then a shorter drive to Mesa Verde. The Animas River Trail is an easy way to shake out the drive once you arrive.

The drive

Distance
360 miles to Durango
Typical drive time
Approximately 6.5 hours

Measured from Denver International Airport, as stated by the official source listed at the bottom of this page. Traffic, weather and stops with kids add time, so plan for a longer day than the map shows.

Kid-friendly stops on the way

Each stop was checked on its own official site. Open it before you go for current hours, prices and any closures.

  1. Animas River Trail

    Durango, CO

    A paved shared-use trail through Durango along the Animas River.

    Official site

  2. Mesa Verde Visitor & Research Center

    Mesa Verde National Park, CO

    The visitor center at the park entrance, where park staff help you plan your visit.

    Official site

  3. Mesa Verde Museum

    Mesa Verde National Park, CO

    The park museum, where visitors can watch the official park film.

    Official site

Need more ideas before you leave? Browse things to do with kids in Denver or plan a different route.

Free road-trip stop checklist

Stop before everyone runs out of patience: how to plan a real break to burn energy, pick an indoor backup in case it rains, and add up the family total before you pay. One page, emailed now. Then The Weekend Scout once a week: one family outing idea for the weekend. Free. Unsubscribe from any email.

Three things to plan before you leave

  • The park entrance is about 35 miles west of Durango along Highway 160. Allow extra time for the drive farther into the park.
  • Plan at least two real breaks on the way to Durango, with fuel and food at each.
  • Start Mesa Verde at the visitor center so the day is planned before anyone gets tired.

Checked against: Visit Durango: airports, Visit Durango: driving to Durango, NPS: Mesa Verde directions (checked )

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Plan the Denver to Durango and Mesa Verde family road trip with the official drive time to Durango, a river trail and the park visitor center.

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