4 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
Make your way to the tour office for morning or afternoon departure, then board an open-top Jeep for the trip to La Plata Canyon, which has the distinctive, U-shaped landscape left by ancient glaciers. With peaks on either side of the scenic canyon, enjoy great views throughout the drive, while riding higher and higher into the mountains.
Watch for wildlife as you follow rugged Jeep trails past several small waterfalls and mountain rivers. Climb to alpine meadows to find bright wildflowers, then discover La Plata City, an abandoned mining town that was first established in the frontier days of 1875, with visible remnants of old mining claims.
Reach Kennebec Pass at 12,000 feet (3,658 mt.) above sea level, with majestic views to Cortez and Telluride, and a bird’s-eye perspective on spruce tree forests, peaks, and river valleys. Following your time at the pass, trace the Jeep roads back out of La Plata Canyon and return to the original departure point, where this tour concludes.
Operated by
Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.97
/ 5
240 traveller ratings
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Will return
Cheryl_H, Oct 2024
Bella was an awesome guide! The history was engaging. I expected to see a little more but the snow limited the tour. Only complaint is that sitting in the jeep with benches facing each other made it difficult to see some of the sights Bella pointed out
Response from Host, Nov 2024
We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the engaging history and Bella your guide. :) The Mild to Wild Family
Off-road adventure!
David_M, Oct 2024
Our guide was Jay. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. He was great with the child on the trip. He would stop by streams and show him what types of rocks to look for. He showed him how to break a rock to look for silver or gold inside. We had a fun afternoon.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you so much for sharing your review! We love hearing you had a fun time with Jay your guide!
Fabulous scenery, and an amazing tour guide
danadY3131KS, Oct 2024
The tour itself was fabulous. What made it even better was our tour guide, Tosh Black! Not only did he give us the history, he really connected with us as his audience and pointed out things that he knew we would be interested in. Tosh was very accommodating with any of our request. As far as the scenery, one of my husband‘s bucket list items was to climb a mountain, which he will probably never do. But this excursion made him feel like he did, and it was so exhilarating for him, as well as it was for me and our son. When we come back to Durango, we will definitely take this adventure again.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you! We love to hear that your trip with Tosh was such a hit & you got to cross climbing mountains off your bucket list :)
Durango visit
DayTrip621646, Oct 2024
Great trip with Jared. He told and showed us so much of the area. We learned so much about Durango and the area with him. Highly suggest this tour, and if Jared is your guide, it is a added bonus! We even had the great fall trees!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for the kind words for Jared! We love to hear that your trip was so wonderful.
Itinerary
Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours
Meet us at our Durango Office in the morning or afternoon for a 4-hour excursion up the ruggedly beautiful wilderness of La Plata Canyon, just 20 minutes from town.
The trail starts off smooth and slowly transitions into a rubbled road about half up the canyon. Get ready to rock around and get to know the person next to you!
As we make our way up the mountain, we'll stop to check out some waterfalls, meadows, and old remnants from Colorado's wild mining era.
On the way up, keep your eyes peeled for deer, marmot, fox, birds of prey— and if you’re lucky, a moose or bear! Once we've reached the top of the canyon, we'll take some time to enjoy a spectacular view of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado's most beloved Rockies!
From late June to early August, this is the perfect off-roading trail for wildflowers. In late September to early October, the large aspen groves make for amazing fall colors
4 hoursAdmission Included
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- Water
- Granola Bars
- Blankets
- Ponchos
- Knowledgeable guides
- Customized, Open-Air Jeep
Exclusions
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- You must bring your own car seats for children who require them. CO Car Seat Law states that children up to 8 years old must be in an appropriate car seat.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in for the tour!
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.