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Durango Community Recreation Center swimming pool in Durango, CO
Photo: A McCarthy
View of Durango Community Recreation Center in Durango, CO
Photo: Durango Community Recreation Center
View of Durango Community Recreation Center in Durango, CO
Photo: Alzira Escobar-Pruitt

Durango Community Recreation Center

β˜…4.5(343 reviews)$Playground
πŸ•‘ 2-4 hoursπŸ‘Ά Best for ages 2-14. Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy the age-appropriate playground equipment and shallow pool areas, while school-aged kids and teens gravitate toward the sports courts, lap swimming, and climbing structures.

About

The Durango Community Recreation Center is a family-friendly hub offering much more than just playgrounds. With an indoor swimming pool, sports facilities, and well-maintained play equipment for multiple age groups, it's a one-stop destination for active families year-round. The facility's excellent 4.5-star rating reflects its clean, safe environment and variety of activities that keep kids entertained rain or shine.

Highlights

  • βœ“Indoor swimming pool with family-friendly swim times
  • βœ“Multi-age playground equipment suitable for toddlers through tweens
  • βœ“Indoor sports courts and gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and other activities
  • βœ“Climbing structures and active play areas
  • βœ“Year-round indoor facilities perfect for Colorado's variable weather

Pro Tips

  1. 1.Arrive right when doors open on weekday mornings (5:45 AM) for the quietest pool time, or visit mid-afternoon on weekdays to avoid before/after work crowds
  2. 2.Bring extra quarters for lockers and pack swim goggles,the pool is a major draw and often less crowded than the outdoor summer options
  3. 3.Check their website for drop-in family swim times and open gym schedules, which vary seasonally
  4. 4.The Sunday hours are shorter (10 AM-5 PM), making Saturday mornings ideal for a longer visit
  5. 5.Combine playground time with a swim session to tire out energetic kids,the indoor facilities make this possible year-round

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings or early afternoons offer the smallest crowds, especially during school hours. Winter months are particularly great since the indoor pool and sports facilities provide active fun when outdoor playgrounds are too cold or snowy.

What to Know

Day passes and family memberships are available at reasonable rates. The facility has ample parking on Main Avenue, and while there's no on-site cafΓ©, vending machines provide snacks and the location on Main Ave means plenty of nearby dining options.

Seasonal Notes

Open year-round with consistent hours, making it especially valuable during Durango's snowy winter months when outdoor playgrounds are inaccessible. Summer may see increased crowds as families combine indoor pool time with outdoor activities.

Nearby Eats

Head to Steamworks Brewing Company (3 blocks away) for burgers and a kids menu in a casual atmosphere, or try Fired Up Pizzeria on Main Avenue for quick, kid-approved pizza just minutes from the rec center.

More Activities Near Durango

Activity

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

$$

All aboard for an unforgettable adventure on America's most scenic historic train! The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad takes families on a breathtaking 45-mile journey through the rugged San Juan Mountains, with vintage coal-fired steam locomotives chugging through narrow canyons, alongside the Animas River, and past wilderness areas inaccessible by car. Kids are mesmerized by the authentic 1880s train cars, the power of the steam engine, and the chance to spot wildlife while traveling the same rails miners rode over a century ago.

Adventure

Perins Peak Lane

Free

Perins Peak offers an excellent introduction to mountain hiking for active families, with a moderately challenging trail that rewards young adventurers with panoramic views of Durango and the surrounding peaks. The well-maintained path winds through ponderosa pines and aspen groves before opening up to a stunning summit that makes every step worthwhile,perfect for teaching kids the satisfaction of earning those incredible vistas.

Adventure

Durango Adventures and Zipline Tours

β˜…4.9$$$

Durango Adventures and Zipline Tours offers an exhilarating canopy zipline experience that will have your adventure-seeking tweens and teens soaring through the stunning piΓ±on-juniper forest. With an exceptional 4.9-star rating from over 900 families, this professionally guided aerial adventure combines heart-pumping thrills with top-notch safety standards and spectacular Colorado mountain views that create lasting family memories.

Adventure

Pedal The Peaks LLC

β˜…4.9$

Pedal The Peaks LLC is Durango's go-to bike shop for families ready to explore Colorado's stunning mountain trails together. With expert staff who specialize in matching riders to appropriate trails and a full fleet of family-friendly rental bikes (including kids' bikes, trailers, and tag-alongs), they make it easy for families of all cycling abilities to experience Durango's incredible outdoor scenery on two wheels.