Durango is a vast, mountainous state in north-central Mexico, spanning the pine forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental down to the arid plains of the Bolsón de Mapimí. Its colonial capital, Victoria de Durango, is renowned for baroque architecture and a Hollywood-era legacy as the backdrop for dozens of classic Westerns, while the surrounding countryside offers dramatic mountain highways, desert curiosities, and small mining towns.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Zona del Silencio (Zone of Silence) & Mapimi
A remote patch of high desert in the Bolson de Mapimi where local legend holds that radio signals mysteriously fail, the Zona del Silencio sits within the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized zone of dunes, gypsum flats, and rare desert wildlife including the bolson tortoise. A 1970 stray-rocket incident and reports of nearby meteorite fragments have added to its folklore reputation, but the reserve itself is a genuine scientific research site.
Highlights: Dunas de Bilbao gypsum sand dunes · Desert flora and fauna found only in the Chihuahuan Desert, including the endangered bolson tortoise · Local guide talks on the area's meteorite history and biosphere research · Stark, empty desert landscapes far from any town
Presa Guadalupe Victoria
A large reservoir south of the capital, formed by a dam on the Rio Tunal system, popular with local families for fishing, boating, and weekend picnics. It is a landlocked stand-in for the coast, with boat ramps, campsites, and areas of sandy shoreline near the water's edge.
Highlights: Boat ramps and open water for fishing and light boating · Sandy stretches of shoreline near the southern end · Picnic shelters and tables used by local families on weekends · Bass, catfish, and carp fishing
Mexiquillo Natural Park & Waterfalls
A pine-forested park high in the Sierra Madre Occidental known for a roughly 20-meter waterfall, rock tunnels, canyon formations, and cold mountain rivers. It is a popular stop for hikers, campers, and adventure travelers en route to El Salto and the Espinazo del Diablo highway.
Highlights: Cascada de Mexiquillo waterfall · Natural rock tunnels and canyon trails · Pine forest camping and hiking routes · Kayaking and rappelling in season
El Salto & the Espinazo del Diablo Drive
El Salto is a working sawmill town set on a high pine plateau, the gateway to the dramatic Espinazo del Diablo (Devil's Backbone) stretch of Highway 40 that twists through the Sierra Madre Occidental toward Mazatlan. The drive itself, with its sheer drops and mountain viewpoints, is as much the destination as the town.
Highlights: Espinazo del Diablo mountain highway viewpoints · El Salto's sawmill and lumber-town character · Cool pine-forest climate, a contrast to the desert lowlands · Access point for onward trips to Mexiquillo
Santiago Papasquiaro
An agricultural and ranching town in a fertile valley north of the capital, known for its colonial-era church, weekly markets, and role as a gateway to the surrounding Sierra Madre foothills and the Guatimape reservoir area.
Highlights: Colonial-era parish church and town plaza · Local produce and livestock markets · Ranching and agricultural countryside views · Access point toward the Sierra Madre foothill villages
Nazas
A quiet town on the Nazas River known for its 18th-century architectural ensemble around the main plaza and church, and as a relaxed base for exploring the surrounding farmland of the Nazas valley.
Highlights: Colonial-era plaza and church ensemble · Riverside setting on the Rio Nazas · Small-town pace away from the capital · Local produce and regional cheese
San Juan del Rio & Canatlan
Two neighboring agricultural towns in the fertile valley north of Durango city, known for orchards, dairy farming, and quiet plazas, offering an easy half-day escape from the capital without a long drive.
Highlights: Local orchards and dairy farms · Quiet colonial-style plazas · Easy, short drive from the capital · Regional cheese and produce stands
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Durango city to the Zona del Silencio, Mexiquillo, or the reservoirs typically run 900-1,800 MXN ($52.95-$105.90 USD) per person including transport and a guide
- Private
- Private driver or 4x4 hire from around 1,800 MXN/half day ($105.90 USD); recommended for the Zona del Silencio, where marked roads are scarce
- Public
- Second-class buses from the Central de Autobuses reach Nazas, Canatlan, Santiago Papasquiaro, and San Juan del Rio, but schedules are infrequent and there is no public transport to the reservoirs or Zona del Silencio
- Rental
- Car rental from about 500 MXN/day ($29.40 USD); the most practical option for reservoirs, El Salto, and Mexiquillo, though the Zona del Silencio is best done with a guide
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Rent a car for reservoirs, Sierra Madre destinations, and the eastern valley towns, since bus service outside main routes is infrequent
The Zona del Silencio is best visited with a local guide from Ceballos rather than self-driving, since marked roads are scarce in the desert reserve
Carry cash in pesos for small towns, where card payment is often unavailable
Fill the gas tank before heading into the Sierra Madre or the desert toward Mapimi, where stations are widely spaced
Start early for longer trips such as Mexiquillo or Zona del Silencio to allow a full round trip in daylight