Month: March 2024

With winter fading into the rearview, fly fishing season in Southwest Colorado is back and better than ever. And lucky for those who live and vacation at Glacier, a wealth of prime fly fishing locales are just minutes away from your doorstep. From the Animas River in Downtown Durango to the San Juan River about an hour west, here are our favorite spots to cast a line.

The Animas River

Winding right through downtown Durango, the Animas River is a fly fishing gem. This gold-medal water is home to healthy populations of rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. Some of the best river access points near Glacier include Trimble Crossing, Haviland Lake, and Animas City Mountain. The Animas offers great dry fly fishing with blue winged olives in the spring and pale morning duns in the summer.

Cascade Creek

This picturesque creek tumbling down from the La Plata Mountains offers fabulous small stream fishing in a gorgeous alpine setting. Cascade Creek holds healthy brook trout that eagerly take dry flies. It’s just a short drive from Glacier up Highway 550 towards Purgatory.

Haviland Lake

Tucked away in the San Juans right above Glacier, Haviland Lake is stocked annually with trout by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic and some lake fishing in a beautiful mountain setting. Kids and new anglers will love it here.

San Juan River

About 60 miles west of Durango, the San Juan River below Navajo Lake is a world-class tailwater fishery. You’ll need a New Mexico fishing license to cast off in these waters, but it’s well worth it. With heavy insect hatches and hungry trout, it’s a dry fly anglers’ paradise. Here, the special catch-and-release regulations help sustain this amazing trout population.

Vallecito Lake

One of the largest bodies of water in the area, Vallecito Lake is a stunning high-altitude reservoir surrounded by mountains about 30 minutes northeast of Durango. It’s stocked with trout and an excellent stillwater fishery.

With an incredible variety of gold medal rivers, alpine streams, and well-stocked lakes right in Glacier’s neighborhood, this spring and summer are shaping up to be outstanding for fly fishing in Durango. Grab your rod and go explore our amazing local waters!

Want to head out on a guided trip? Get in touch with our friends at Duranglers for the ultimate excursion.

Spring break is just around the corner, and no destination promises thrilling adventure and family bonding quite like Durango, Colorado. Tucked within the San Juan Mountains and surrounded by more than three million acres of protected wilderness, Glacier puts members and owners of all ages at the doorstep of limitless recreation — from horseback riding to cycling, ziplining, and beyond. Not sure which ones to tackle first? Here are five can’t-miss adventures to enjoy with your family this spring break. 

Cycling for All Ages

From road biking to mountain biking, Durango is famous for its endless cycling trails that cater to all ages and skill levels. Complimentary bikes are available for Glacier members, along with trails along Chris Park and Haviland Park that boast gorgeous scenery. Don’t miss the new trails at Purgatory Bike Park with access to over 400 miles of backcountry singletrack.

Saddle Up for a Trail Ride

Embrace your inner cowgirl or cowboy by going on a guided trail ride with Bears Ranch along the mountainous terrain surrounding Glacier. Soak up unbeatable views of Haviland Lake and the surrounding San Juan National Forest. No experience is necessary, making it fun for kids of all ages.

Zip Through the Treetops

For a rush of excitement, head 30 minutes north to zipline over the Animas River and through beautiful groves of Aspen trees. With Soaring Colorado, you’ll have access to the longest zip line course in the entire U.S. Your kids are guaranteed to love the thrill while you take in mileage after mileage of stunning scenery in every direction.

Cast a Line With the Family

Try your hand at fly fishing together as a family in Durango, home to several highly rated trout fishing rivers like the Animas and San Juan. With the help of Duranglers, you can get geared up with equipment, take classes and even book guided fishing trips to ensure the whole family has an unforgettable, potentially catch-filled experience.

All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Train

No family trip to Durango is complete without a ride along the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This iconic coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive winds through canyons and breathtaking wilderness, just as settlers traveled over a century ago. Kids will love feeling as if they stepped back in time.

Ready to make Durango your home away from home? Get in touch with the Glacier sales team today at [email protected].