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

Mountain roads reward the curious. This four-hour La Plata Canyon Jeep tour, also called Kennebec Pass, takes you west of Durango into the San Juan Mountains, where waterfalls, old mines, ghost towns, and high-elevation views fill the day. I like the private trail access and the chance to reach a private 25-foot waterfall that other tour companies cannot visit. I also like the small group size, limited to eight people, which gives the guide room to explain the area and answer questions.

The main consideration is the ride itself. This is a moderate 4×4 trip, not a smooth sightseeing shuttle. The open-air vehicle can be dusty, chilly, and bumpy, and the tour climbs to about 12,000 feet near the tree line. Bring a jacket, sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, and a willingness to trade comfort for scenery.

Key points at a glance

• A private 25-foot waterfall: The tour includes access to a waterfall on an old mining claim from the early 1900s.
• High views near 12,000 feet: You ride toward the tree line for wide views of the San Juan Mountains.
• A short trip from Durango: La Plata Canyon is about 20 minutes west of town, making this easy to fit into a busy day.
• Old mines and ghost towns: Your English-speaking guide provides context about the mining past along the route.
• Wildlife possibilities: Deer, elk, marmots, birds, bears, and even mountain lions have been seen in the area, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• A small, open-air group: The normal vehicle is open-air, with space for up to eight participants. A Jeep Wrangler may be used if needed.

Leaving Durango for La Plata Canyon

The tour begins at the meeting point, which has free parking, restrooms, and changing areas. La Plata Canyon is roughly 20 minutes west of Durango, so you do not lose much of your day getting to the trailhead. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan to reach the meeting point on your own.

Before departure, you complete a liability waiver and emergency contact form. This is also the time to ask about the vehicle, weather, and clothing. Extra blankets and jackets are available if you need them, but I would still arrive prepared rather than count on borrowing one.

The four-hour length is one of the tour’s best practical features. You get a substantial mountain outing without giving up the entire day. You could pair it with another activity in Durango, including a rafting trip on the Animas River, though you should allow enough time between activities to avoid a rushed schedule.

The open-air ride into the canyon

Once the vehicle heads onto the 4×4 route, the character of the day changes quickly. This is not a paved-road bus tour with a few photo stops. The trail can be bumpy, and the vehicle may be open to the weather. Dust and dirt are part of the bargain.

That open-air setup also gives you a better sense of the canyon. You can watch the road, rock walls, trees, and changing light without looking through a sealed window. The trade-off is clear: you get a closer outdoor experience, but you should protect your eyes and camera from dust and bring a jacket for the colder upper sections.

The company usually uses an open-air vehicle, though it reserves the right to use a Jeep Wrangler if needed. That means you should not book this expecting one exact vehicle type. The important point is that the ride is a moderate 4×4 trip, with uneven roads and mountain conditions.

The ride has earned particular praise for being comfortable enough without losing its sense of adventure. Guide Tyler is noted for keeping the Jeep comfortable while sharing plenty of information about the area. Guide Hayden also receives credit for handling the road well and explaining the local history. Those details matter here because the guide is doing two jobs at once: driving carefully and turning rough miles into a story.

Waterfalls along the climb

Water is one of the tour’s strongest features. You can see waterfalls on the way up and back, with the canyon providing changing views as the vehicle gains height. The route is especially appealing during warmer months, when runoff and mountain streams make the waterfall sections more noticeable.

The private 25-foot waterfall is the special stop. It sits on an old mining claim dating to the early 1900s, adding a useful link between the natural setting and the area’s mining past. Access to this private section is included with the tour, and it is a meaningful advantage over a standard public-road sightseeing trip.

Do not expect a long independent hike or a formal waterfall park with developed viewing platforms. The supplied details describe access by Jeep and the chance to get up close, but they do not promise a specific walking distance or trail surface. Wear hiking shoes because you may be walking on uneven ground around the stop.

The waterfall is also a good example of why this tour can be worth more than a simple mountain drive. You are not only looking at a view from a roadside pullout. You are reaching a place tied to a private mining claim, with a guide who can explain how the site fits into the canyon’s past.

Glacier-carved rock and San Juan scenery

La Plata Canyon was shaped by ancient glaciers. As you travel higher, the canyon’s form and exposed geology become part of the experience. You are not required to know the names of rock layers to appreciate the broad story: ice once moved through this area, cutting and shaping the canyon you see today.

The scenery changes as the route climbs toward the tree line. Lower sections feel more enclosed by trees and canyon walls. Higher sections open toward broad mountain views, with the best vistas arriving near the upper elevations. The tour reaches up to about 12,000 feet, so the temperature and exposure can feel different from conditions in Durango.

That elevation is both a highlight and a practical warning. Bring sunscreen even on a cool day, and pack a jacket. The vehicle’s open sides can make the upper route feel cold, especially if the weather shifts. The tour provides extra blankets and jackets if needed, but proper clothing will make the ride easier.

The mountain views are a major reason to choose this trip instead of spending four hours on a lower road. You get a sense of the San Juan Mountains from within the canyon and from near the tree line. At the same time, the road itself takes attention. If you prefer quiet, flat viewpoints and long uninterrupted photo sessions, the bumps and movement may test your patience.

Ghost towns, mines, and the canyon’s working past

La Plata Canyon is not only about rocks and waterfalls. Old ghost towns and abandoned mines give the route a human story. Mining once shaped the area, and the old workings help explain why roads and claims exist so far into the mountains.

The guide provides information about the mines and ghost towns along the way. This is where a small group helps. With no more than eight people, you have a better chance to hear the explanation clearly and ask about a mine, structure, or claim that catches your attention.

The old mining claim at the private waterfall adds a specific detail to the story. You are not hearing only a broad account of mining in Colorado. You are seeing a site connected to early twentieth-century activity and then moving through a canyon shaped by both industry and natural forces.

Do keep expectations realistic. The description promises old ghost towns and mines to discuss, but it does not give a fixed list of buildings, tunnels, or preserved structures. You should think of these as historic features along a mountain route, not a fully developed museum or restored town.

Wildlife: possible, never promised

Wildlife adds a welcome element of chance. Deer, bears, marmots, birds, elk, and mountain lions have all been spotted on these tours. A deer has appeared during a recent outing, along with smaller animals, which shows how the open vehicle can help you notice movement along the route.

Still, you should book for the canyon, not for a guaranteed animal sighting. Mountain lions are especially elusive, and even more common animals may stay out of view. Your guide can point out likely wildlife areas, but nature sets the schedule.

Keep your attention moving between the scenery and the road edges. The open-air vehicle gives you a better chance to notice birds or animals than a sealed vehicle, but it also means you should keep cameras and personal items secure on the bumpy trail.

What four hours feels like

Four hours is long enough to make the canyon feel like a real outing. You have time for the climb, waterfall views, private access, mountain scenery, and conversations about mines and ghost towns. It is also short enough to fit into a day in Durango without sacrificing every other plan.

The pace is guided rather than independent. You are not setting your own route or stopping wherever you please. The guide manages the 4×4 drive and the timing, which is useful on a mountain road but gives you less control than a private trip.

The route includes travel both up and back, with waterfalls visible in both directions. That return ride is not simply dead time. The view changes when you face downhill, and a feature you missed on the way up may become clear on the way back.

Because this is a small group, the day should feel more personal than a large coach excursion. Hayden and Tyler are specifically praised for driving well and explaining the area. If your guide is as engaged as those examples suggest, the information will give the ride more meaning than scenery alone.

Is the $109 price fair?

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the mountains. You are paying for a four-hour guided 4×4 outing, access to private areas, an up-close waterfall, a small group, and a guide who drives the mountain route while providing local context.

The private access is the key value point. A public road or self-guided drive might offer mountain views and waterfalls, but it would not necessarily bring you to the private 25-foot waterfall or the company’s private trail sections. You also avoid the work of navigating a rough 4×4 route yourself.

The price makes the most sense if you want a focused half-day adventure and do not have your own suitable vehicle or mountain-driving experience. It makes less sense if you only want a quick scenic drive, dislike rough roads, or plan to spend most of the time indoors.

Gratuity is not included, so budget separately if you want to tip the guide. Hotel transportation is also not included, though free parking at the meeting point keeps the arrival cost simple.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to adults and older children who enjoy mountain roads, geology, local history, and outdoor scenery. The minimum age is 12, so it is not designed for young children.

This is also a good choice if you have only part of a day in Durango. The short drive from town and four-hour duration make it easy to combine with another activity, provided you leave enough time between bookings.

You should think twice if you are sensitive to bumps, dust, cold, or high elevation. The tour is not presented as a gentle ride. Sunscreen, a jacket, and hiking shoes are practical essentials, not optional extras.

People who want guaranteed wildlife, a long hike, or a polished historic site may find the experience less satisfying. The appeal is the mix of rough trail, private access, changing scenery, and a guide-led story about the canyon.

Booking details and weather preparation

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability before building the rest of your day.

The tour is conducted in English. Free parking, restrooms, and changing areas are available at the meeting point. The activity begins and ends at that same location.

Bring:

• Hiking shoes
• Sunscreen
• A jacket
• Clothing that can handle dust and dirt

The extra blankets and jackets are helpful if the upper route feels cold, but the safest plan is to dress for changing mountain conditions. Since the vehicle is open-air, dust is unavoidable, and a camera or phone should be protected when the road gets rough.

Should you book the La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour?

Book this tour if you want more than a roadside mountain view. The private waterfall, old mining claims, ghost-town stories, and climb toward 12,000 feet give the outing a clear sense of place. The small group and guides such as Hayden and Tyler also add value, especially if you enjoy learning while you ride.

Skip it if you need a smooth, quiet vehicle or guaranteed wildlife. The road is bumpy, the air can be dusty, and the weather may feel cold near the tree line.

For the right person, $109 buys a well-shaped half-day in the San Juan Mountains: waterfalls close by, geology under the wheels, mining history along the route, and a chance to see the canyon from private ground.

FAQ

How long is the La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the ride into La Plata Canyon and the return to the meeting point.

Where does the tour take place?

La Plata Canyon is about 20 minutes west of Durango, Colorado. The tour starts and ends at the meeting point, which has free parking.

How high does the tour go?

The route reaches up to about 12,000 feet, at or near the tree line.

Is the waterfall included?

Yes. The tour includes access to a private 25-foot waterfall located on an old mining claim from the early 1900s.

What wildlife might I see?

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

Is the ride bumpy?

Yes. This is described as a moderate 4×4 tour, and the trail can be bumpy. The vehicle may also be open-air, with dust and dirt along the route.

What should I bring?

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

Are children allowed?

Children under 12 are not permitted. The minimum age is 12.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.