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

The best part of this La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour is its mix of big mountain scenery and access you cannot get on an ordinary sightseeing drive. The route climbs toward 12,000 feet, passing waterfalls, old mines, ghost-town remains, and a private 25-foot waterfall on an early-1900s mining claim.

I like the small group of eight or fewer, which gives you room to ask questions, and I like the chance to see real wildlife rather than simply ticking off a viewpoint. The main tradeoff is the open-air Jeep: dust, sun, cold air, and a moderately bumpy ride are part of the package.

Key points to know before you go

• A 25-foot private waterfall: The tour includes access to a waterfall on private land that other companies cannot reach.
• A climb toward 12,000 feet: You get high mountain views and a close look at glacially carved geology.
• Mining and ghost-town history: Old mines and former settlements give the ride a strong sense of place.
• Wildlife is possible: Deer, elk, marmots, birds, bears, and even mountain lions have been spotted in the area.
• A four-hour half-day outing: You have time left for another Durango activity, such as rafting on the Animas River.
• Open-air 4×4 travel: Bring a jacket, sunscreen, and hiking shoes, and expect dirt and dust.

Riding into La Plata Canyon from Durango

La Plata Canyon sits about 20 minutes west of Durango, making this an easy half-day addition to a Colorado trip. You meet at the activity site, where free parking, restrooms, and changing areas are available before departure.

From there, you board an open-air Jeep and head into the canyon. The vehicle may be a different Jeep Wrangler if needed, so do not expect a guaranteed open-sided vehicle every time. Either way, this is a 4×4 ride rather than a smooth coach excursion.

The canyon route is the real attraction. You are not simply driven to one viewpoint, handed a few facts, and returned to town. The ride follows mountain trails toward the upper canyon, with waterfalls, mine sites, rock formations, and broad views appearing along the way.

Guides such as Hayden and Tyler add useful context as the Jeep climbs. Hayden has been praised for explaining the area while keeping the trip moving, and Tyler for sharing plenty of facts while handling the route. That balance matters here because the scenery is impressive, but the mining and geology help explain why the canyon looks and feels the way it does.

Glacial geology and the climb toward 12,000 feet

One of the most interesting details is how the canyon was formed. Ancient glaciers carved through the mountains, leaving the steep canyon walls and exposed rock you see from the trail.

You do not need a geology background to appreciate this. As the Jeep climbs, the changing rock shapes and narrow canyon sections make the story easier to picture. The guide can connect what you see to the forces that shaped the area rather than offering only a list of mountain names.

The tour reaches 12,000 feet or travels near the tree line. That altitude brings a noticeable change in the setting. Trees become less dominant, views open up, and the mountains feel much larger than they do near the canyon entrance.

High elevation also means conditions can change quickly. Even if the day begins warm near Durango, bring a jacket. Extra blankets and jackets are available if needed, but your own warm layer is still the sensible choice.

The ride itself may be moderately bumpy. One helpful detail is that the Jeep has been described as comfortable, with the road not feeling overly rough on at least one outing. Still, this is a mountain trail, not a paved scenic drive. If you have back or mobility concerns, the bumps deserve serious thought before booking.

The private waterfall and old mining claim

The private 25-foot waterfall is the tour’s most distinctive stop. It sits on an old mining claim dating to the early 1900s, giving you two reasons to pause: the water itself and the story of the people who worked these mountains.

Access to private areas is a major part of the value here. You are not limited to the same public pullouts used by every vehicle in the canyon. The company can take you along private trails and close to the waterfall, creating a more personal stop than a quick roadside photo.

The exact amount of walking is not specified, so wear hiking shoes rather than casual sandals. You should be ready for uneven ground, dirt, and possibly wet conditions near the waterfall.

The waterfall is also a good example of why a guided 4×4 trip can be worthwhile. A map may show the canyon, but it will not explain which trails are private, which old structures relate to mining, or how to reach a tucked-away water feature. The guide handles the route while you focus on the surroundings.

Ghost towns, mines, and the human side of the canyon

La Plata Canyon is not only a place for mountain views. Its old ghost towns and mines give the journey a human story, even though the remains are from another era.

The tour includes discussion of abandoned mining activity and old settlements along the route. That can make the canyon feel less like a remote stretch of rock and more like a place shaped by hard work, risk, and the search for valuable ore.

Do not expect a preserved town with rows of restored buildings. The information describes old ghost towns and mining sites, not a formal museum or reconstructed historic village. The appeal is in seeing traces of the past in their mountain setting.

I find this kind of history especially useful on a Jeep ride. Without it, the trip might become a series of pretty views. With it, the waterfalls, steep trails, and isolated claims show why people came here and what challenges they faced.

Wildlife watching along the trail

Wildlife is possible throughout the tour. Deer, elk, marmots, birds, bears, and mountain lions have all been spotted in the area.

That list should be treated as a possibility, not a promise. You may see a deer or smaller animal, as happened on one outing, or you may spend the entire ride watching the canyon rather than wildlife. The open-air vehicle gives you a good chance to look and listen, but animals remain unpredictable.

Keep your expectations sensible and your attention wide. Wildlife may appear beside the trail, on a slope, or in the trees. The guide can point out signs of activity, but the experience is not designed as a dedicated wildlife safari.

The chance to spot animals adds a pleasant bit of suspense to the ride. You are not only waiting for the next waterfall or viewpoint. Every bend gives you another reason to look beyond the road.

What the open-air Jeep ride is really like

An open-air vehicle makes the experience feel immediate. You can take in the mountain air, hear the trail beneath the tires, and get unobstructed views from the sides.

The same feature also creates the tour’s main practical drawbacks. Dust and dirt are expected, and sunscreen is essential. Bring a jacket because the air can feel cold at higher elevations, even when the lower canyon is comfortable.

The vehicle is not described as a luxury ride, and you should not book it expecting a quiet, polished transfer. It is a working 4×4 built for access. The payoff is reaching private trails and high mountain areas that a standard vehicle cannot handle.

Comfort depends partly on your tolerance for rough roads. The ride has been described as comfortable and not too bumpy, but the official guidance still calls it a moderately bumpy 4×4 tour. Both points can be true: the Jeep may be comfortable while the road remains lively.

Four hours gives you a useful half-day

The tour lasts four hours, which is long enough to reach the upper canyon without taking over your entire day. That timing works well in Durango, where you may want to combine mountain scenery with another activity.

The operator specifically points to rafting on the Animas River as one possible second adventure. You should check the timing of both activities before booking, since starting times vary and the Jeep trip returns to the same meeting point.

A half-day schedule also helps if you are visiting with someone who does not want a full-day mountain outing. You get waterfalls, geology, wildlife possibilities, and mining history in one compact trip, then still have part of the day for lunch, town, or another excursion.

The route returns to the original meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the site.

Is $109 a fair price?

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the San Juan Mountains. The price makes more sense when you consider what is included: four hours, a live English-speaking guide, a small group limited to eight participants, 4×4 transportation, and access to private trails and a private waterfall.

You are also paying for local route access and the guide’s ability to explain the canyon’s geology and mining past. A self-guided drive may cost less, but it will not provide the same access to private areas, and you may miss the stories behind the old mines.

The value is strongest if you want an active sightseeing trip rather than a simple viewpoint stop. It is less compelling if you dislike dust, uneven trails, or vehicle rides with some jolting.

There is also a useful booking safeguard: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. That flexibility helps if your Durango plans depend on weather or changing activity times.

Who should book this canyon tour?

I would recommend it to adults and children aged 12 or older who enjoy mountain roads, open-air vehicles, and a little adventure. It suits anyone who wants more than a scenic drive, especially if waterfalls, old mines, and wildlife appeal to you equally.

It is a good fit for photographers and sightseers who want broad mountain views without spending a full day on foot. The small group also helps if you prefer a guide who can answer questions rather than a large bus tour with little personal attention.

You should think twice if you need a smooth ride, dislike cold air, or are uncomfortable with dirt and dust. Children under 12 are not permitted, and the tour is not presented as a gentle family sightseeing trip.

Wear hiking shoes, sunscreen, and a jacket. The operator supplies extra blankets and jackets if needed, but preparation will make the ride more comfortable from the start.

Should you book the La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour?

Book this tour if private access, mountain geology, waterfalls, and mining stories sound better to you than a polished roadside excursion. The 25-foot waterfall and the climb toward 12,000 feet give the trip clear points of interest, while possible wildlife sightings keep the ride lively.

Skip it if your ideal Colorado outing means paved roads, guaranteed animal sightings, or a quiet vehicle. For the right person, $109 buys a strong four-hour introduction to La Plata Canyon, with guides such as Hayden and Tyler adding the local detail that turns a bumpy ride into a worthwhile mountain experience.

FAQ

Where is the La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour located?

La Plata Canyon is about 20 minutes west of Durango, Colorado. You meet at the tour site, where free parking is available.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

How high does the Jeep travel?

The route reaches 12,000 feet or travels near the tree line.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include deer, elk, marmots, birds, bears, and mountain lions. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the ride bumpy?

This is a moderate 4×4 tour and can be bumpy. The open-air vehicle also means you should expect dust and dirt.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, sunscreen, and a jacket. Extra blankets and jackets are available if needed.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 12 are not permitted. The group is limited to eight participants and the live tour is conducted in English.