[Upper Chicago Basin in La Plata County. Photo: Mouser Williams] La Plata County’s seat and largest town is Durango, which is home to an impressive historic district. The county had an estimated population of 53,284 in 2013.
Named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains (la plata is Spanish for “silver”), this county is home to the San Juan National Forest, the Weminuche Wilderness, the Colorado Trail, and the San Juan Skyway, a desiginated national scenic byway. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad also departs from town year round.
Visit the La Plata County Government website.
La Plata County map.
County Towns
Adjacent Counties
Special Events
- Jan/Feb – Snowdown in Durango
- Apr – Durango Bluegrass Meltdown
- May – Durango Wine Experience
- Jun/Aug – Durango Blues Train
- Jul – Durango Fiesta Days
- Aug – Mushroom & Wine Festival in Durango
- Aug – San Juan Brewfest in Durango
- Aug – Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Durango
- Oct – Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering
La Plata County Courthouse in Durango.
Popular Posts
7 of Colorado’s Best Communities to Retire – Colorado’s rising popularity and continued growth bring in new residents daily from all over the country. While many of those looking for work head to the busiest spots around the Denver Metropolitan Area, those with more…
Double Down at Colorado’s 2 Indian Casinos – Colorado’s Native American casinos are found within the Ute Mountain National Reservation, where the Southern Ute Tribe has lived officially since 1897. It is an area that covers parts of southwest Colorado…
Dogs With Heart: Durango Dog Ranch Sled Tours – Gregg and Gretchen Dubit have been running the snowy Southwestern trails with their sled dogs for over 20 years. Their Durango Dog Ranch is located in Hesperus, 20 minutes west of the county seat. Although…
Bring Your Dog Cross Country Skiing at Bayfield’s Vallecito Lake – Love your dog and love to have fun in the snow? Want to have some fun away from the crowds? The Vallecito Nordic trailhead is a great option for you, your dog and the whole family. On the east side…
Snowshoeing Vallecito Creek Trail, The Weminuche Wilderness – You don’t have to give up hiking or long walks in the woods just because there’s a foot or two of snow outside. In fact, having a foot or two of snow is a great opportunity to experience the quiet beauty of…
Top 12 Cool Hotels in Durango – Wild West Durango is home to a world famous narrow gauge railroad that attracts visitors from around the world. Along with three ski areas of mixed sizes and wonderful outdoor recreation, there’s a slew of great hotels serving these travelers…
Power to the Powderhounds: Backcountry Skiing in the San Juan Mountains – It’s safe to say that the above definition has a few readers squirming in their seats. Winter athletes who crave the ultimate powder skiing or boarding experience – who are able…
