La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour Waterfalls, Ghost Town,Great Views

Waterfalls, mines, and mountain air fill four hours. The La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour takes you west of Durango toward Kennebec Pass, with private trail access, a 25-foot waterfall, old mining sites, and views reaching nearly 12,000 feet. I like the small groups of eight or fewer and the chance to reach places regular public tours cannot enter. I also like that the tour leaves half a day free for another Durango activity. The main drawback is the open-air Jeep: expect dust, dirt, sun, and a bumpy ride.

The scenery changes quickly as you climb from the canyon toward tree line. Guides such as Hayden and Tyler have earned praise for keeping the trip informative and comfortable, with Hayden explaining local history and wildlife while Tyler added plenty of facts without making the ride feel like a lecture. Bring sturdy shoes and a jacket, even in warm weather. Mountain weather can change fast, and the high elevation is no place for a forgotten layer.

Key points to know before you book

• Private access to a 25-foot waterfall: The tour reaches a waterfall on an old mining claim from the early 1900s, an area other companies cannot access.
• A high climb toward 12,000 feet: You travel near tree line, where the views widen and the canyon geology becomes easier to read.
• A real four-wheel-drive outing: This is not a smooth sightseeing shuttle. The ride can be bumpy, dusty, and exposed to the weather.
• Ghost towns and old mines: The route gives your guide plenty to explain about La Plata Canyon’s mining past.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Deer, elk, marmots, birds, bears, and even mountain lions have been spotted on tours.
• A practical half-day plan: Four hours gives you a mountain experience while leaving time for rafting or another Durango activity.

Leaving Durango for La Plata Canyon

La Plata Canyon is about 20 minutes west of Durango, making this an easy addition to a stay in town. You meet at the tour company’s site, where free parking, restrooms, and changing areas are available. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to arrange your own way to the starting point.

The short transfer from Durango quickly gives way to the canyon road. This is where the outing begins to feel different from a standard scenic drive. You are not simply looking out a window at distant peaks. You are riding into the canyon in an open-air vehicle, with the road, trees, rock, and weather much closer to you.

The vehicle is usually an open-air Jeep, although the company reserves the right to use a Jeep Wrangler if needed. That detail matters. The open design gives you broad views and a better sense of the mountain air, but it also means dust and dirt are part of the deal. Wear clothes you can wash, protect your camera or phone, and do not expect a quiet, polished ride.

The group limit is eight people. I consider that a strong feature because a small vehicle can make a rough mountain route feel more personal. You can hear the guide, ask questions, and stop paying attention to the road long enough to look for animals or unusual rock formations.

Reading the canyon carved by ancient ice

One of the most interesting parts of the route is the geology. La Plata Canyon was shaped by ancient glaciers, and the guide explains how those forces cut through the mountains. You do not need a geology degree to appreciate this. Look for the broad shape of the canyon and the way rock walls rise around the route. The scenery becomes a story rather than a series of pretty views.

The climb also creates a clear change in scale. Lower in the canyon, the road feels enclosed by trees and rock. Higher up, the views open toward the San Juan Mountains. The tour reaches 12,000 feet or a point near tree line, depending on conditions and the route used that day. At that height, the air, weather, and terrain give the outing a genuine mountain character.

I like that the guide is part driver and part interpreter here. On a rough trail, you want someone who can handle the vehicle while still explaining what you are seeing. Hayden received especially strong praise for keeping the group informed and explaining the area’s history. Tyler was also noted for sharing plenty of facts while keeping the Jeep comfortable and the ride manageable.

The road itself deserves a clear warning. This is described as a moderate 4×4 tour, and it can get bumpy. One trip may feel fairly comfortable, while another may be rougher depending on the trail and conditions. If you have a strong dislike of jolting roads, this may not be your ideal mountain activity. If you see a bumpy road as part of the fun, the ride adds to the sense that you are going somewhere less ordinary.

Waterfalls along the climb

Water is one of the tour’s main rewards. You can see waterfalls along the way up and back, and the changing angle gives you more than one look at the canyon’s runoff. The exact flow will vary, but the route is designed to bring waterfalls into the experience rather than treating them as a quick roadside stop.

The special stop is a private 25-foot waterfall on an old mining claim dating to the early 1900s. Access to this area is reserved for the tour company, which gives the experience a useful advantage over a public-road sightseeing trip. You are not just being shown the same overlook available to everyone. You are being taken onto private trails to see a feature that would otherwise be out of reach.

That private access is a major part of the price. At $109 per person, this is not a cheap scenic drive. You are paying for a small group, a guide, a four-hour 4×4 outing, and access to private areas. If you only want a quick mountain view, the cost may feel high. If you want a guided route that combines scenery, mining history, wildlife opportunities, and a private waterfall, the price is easier to justify.

Bring hiking shoes rather than soft casual footwear. The tour is vehicle-based, but getting a better look at a waterfall or stepping onto a rough trail is more pleasant with solid soles. The available restrooms and changing areas are at the meeting point, not something you should count on once you are deep in the canyon.

Ghost towns, mines, and the old Kennebec Pass story

La Plata Canyon is also known as Kennebec Pass, and its mining past gives the route more character. Old mines and ghost towns appear along the way, allowing the guide to explain how people once worked these high mountain claims. The remains are not presented as a separate museum visit. They are part of the route, appearing between rock walls, trees, waterfalls, and high views.

That arrangement works well for this kind of tour. You get context without spending the entire morning indoors or at a formal historic site. The mines help explain why roads and claims exist in such a remote place. They also make the canyon feel like more than a scenic corridor.

I would pay attention when the guide points out mining features, even if you are mainly here for the scenery. A ghost town or old mine can look like a few weathered remains if you do not know what you are seeing. A good explanation turns those traces into clues about earlier work in the canyon.

The tour does not promise a preserved town with a full set of buildings or a long walking visit. The information provided describes old ghost towns and plenty of old mines along the route, so your experience is best understood as a moving mountain history lesson. The exact stops can depend on the route and conditions.

Wildlife on a quiet mountain route

Wildlife is another appealing part of the trip, but you should set your expectations correctly. Deer, bears, marmots, birds, elk, and mountain lions have all been spotted on these tours. That means you have a real chance to see animals, not that a particular species will appear on command.

Deer and smaller animals are the most realistic kind of encounter to hope for. One trip included a deer and other small animals, which gives you a useful picture of how wildlife viewing may work here: keep your eyes open, listen to the guide, and be ready for a sighting that lasts only a moment.

A bear or mountain lion would be a far less predictable sighting. Do not book this as a guaranteed wildlife safari. Book it for the canyon, waterfall, mines, and views, then treat an animal sighting as an extra reward.

The open-air Jeep helps because you have a broad view around you. It also means you should bring sunscreen and a jacket. The vehicle does not shield you as well as a closed van, and the high elevation can make the sun feel strong even when the temperature is cool. Extra blankets and jackets are available if needed, which is reassuring, but I would still arrive prepared rather than relying on spare clothing.

What four hours feels like

Four hours is a good length for this experience. It gives the guide time to climb into the canyon, explain the geology and mining past, reach the waterfall and higher viewpoints, and return to the meeting point without taking your entire day.

The route is not meant to be rushed. You will spend a substantial part of the tour riding, with stops and points of interest along the way. The journey itself is part of the attraction, especially when the road climbs and the scenery changes.

You can pair the Jeep tour with another activity in Durango. The company specifically presents the half-day timing as a way to leave room for adventures such as rafting on the Animas River. That makes the tour useful for an active itinerary. You could spend one part of the day in the canyon and use the remaining hours for another outdoor experience.

Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. The tour returns to the same meeting point, and free parking makes the logistics simple once you arrive. Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if mountain weather or a changing schedule makes your plans uncertain.

Children under 12 are not permitted. That age rule fits the nature of the trip. The ride is bumpy, the vehicle may be open-air, and the route reaches high elevation. Older children and adults who enjoy rough-road outings are the better match.

What to wear and pack for the Jeep

Your packing list should be simple but deliberate:

• Hiking shoes with good support
• Sunscreen
• A warm jacket
• Clothes that can handle dust
• A way to protect your phone or camera from dirt

Extra blankets and jackets are available if needed. Still, I would not treat those supplies as a replacement for your own layers. Temperatures can feel different at the canyon floor and near 12,000 feet, and the open vehicle leaves you exposed to wind and weather.

The dust is not a minor footnote. It is one of the defining features of an open-air Jeep tour. Keep valuable electronics protected, and avoid wearing clothing that needs to stay spotless for dinner. If you want a polished, quiet ride, choose a closed vehicle experience instead.

The waiver of liability and emergency contact form must be completed before departure at the meeting point. Allow enough time for that before the Jeep leaves. The tour is conducted in English, and the guide provides the interpretation throughout the four-hour trip.

Is the $109 price fair?

At $109 per person, this tour sits in the range of a special half-day activity rather than a casual drive. The value comes from several pieces working together: a live guide, a small group capped at eight, 4×4 transportation, access to private trails, the waterfall stop, and the chance to reach high mountain country without arranging your own route.

The private 25-foot waterfall is the strongest reason to consider the cost. Public access often limits what you can see, while this tour includes a private area on an old mining claim. The guide’s local knowledge adds value too, especially if Hayden or Tyler is leading your trip and brings the same clear explanations described in the strongest feedback.

The price does not include hotel pickup, drop-off, or gratuity. You also need to supply your own sunscreen, hiking shoes, and jacket. Those extra costs are modest, but they matter when you compare this with a basic sightseeing drive.

I would call it good value for someone who wants a focused mountain outing and does not have a high-clearance vehicle or the confidence to explore rough private trails independently. It is less attractive if your main goal is simply to look at the scenery from a smooth road.

Who should book this La Plata Canyon tour?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy mountain roads, local history, waterfalls, wildlife watching, and a bit of grit in your outdoor activities. It also suits visitors who want a guided introduction to the San Juan Mountains without giving up an entire day.

You should think twice if you dislike bumpy transportation, dust, exposed vehicles, or uncertain weather. The route reaches high elevation, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. This is an active sightseeing trip, not a luxury coach ride.

The tour is also a good fit for photographers who value changing views and private access, though you will need to protect your equipment from dust. History fans should appreciate the old mines and ghost towns, especially with a guide who can explain what you are seeing rather than simply pointing at ruins.

Should you book it?

Book this La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour if you want more than a view from the roadside. The private waterfall, small group, old mining areas, and climb toward 12,000 feet give the four-hour outing a strong sense of place.

Skip it if you need a smooth, enclosed ride or if $109 feels too steep for a half-day activity. For the right person, the cost buys access, guidance, and a genuine 4×4 trip into La Plata Canyon. Bring a jacket, wear shoes that can get dirty, and leave room in your day for one of Durango’s other outdoor activities.

FAQ

How long does the La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour last?

The tour lasts four hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Where does the tour take place?

La Plata Canyon, also known as Kennebec Pass, is about 20 minutes west of Durango, Colorado.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes the guided Jeep outing, access to private trails, and access to extra blankets and jackets if needed. Free parking, restrooms, and changing areas are available at the meeting site.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet at the tour company’s location, where free parking is available.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 12 years old.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, sunscreen, and a jacket. The open-air vehicle can be dusty, and the 4×4 route may be bumpy.