Animas Mountain East Trailhead
Hiking area
1 mi
4.8 (169)
3269 W 4th Ave, Durango, CO 81301
RiverCO
Durango-Animas
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan an Animas River outing in Durango using the city's access map. Separate verified public river facilities from the unverified historical high-school swimming spot.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
A listed public river access does not establish a designated swimming beach or suitable conditions at the historical hole. Follow current city rules and restrictions, respect private property and do not jump or dive.
Official sources checked:
Water type
River
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Fees for the historical swimming location unverified. The city identifies free parking for tubers at the Recreation Center; that does not establish free parking elsewhere.
Best season
Confirm the chosen access point's hours before travel and allow for a daylight return. No site-specific hours verified for the historical hole
Nearby towns
Durango
Water body
Animas River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Durango
Access location not verified
37.28902, -107.87446
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Durango-Animas
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Start with the city's river-access map
Durango's Animas River guidance identifies managed access points, including Oxbow Park, Memorial Park at 29th Street, the Recreation Center and Schneider Park at 9th Street. Choose the intended destination from that map rather than assuming every riverside path is a permitted swim entrance.
Keep the historical swimming spot separate
The original directory note described a spot behind the high school near West 22nd Street and Alamo Drive, and explicitly left parking uncertain. Current swimming authorization at that exact location has not been established. The retained map point is not a verified entrance.
Plan a river-trail outing
Official tourism information describes the Animas River Trail as a paved shared-use route through Durango. Walking beside the river is a different activity from entering it. A paved trail does not guarantee an accessible water entry.
Match facilities to the right destination
The city lists restrooms, changing rooms and small-craft access at Oxbow Park. Those amenities are not attributed to the historical high-school spot. Confirm parking and services at the managed destination you choose.
Read the gallery as corridor context
The selected photo shows a riverside path above water at dusk. It does not identify the historical swimming entrance or show current river conditions. Do not use its viewpoint as route guidance or infer water depth and quality from it.
Getting There
Use Durango's official Animas River access map to identify a managed river destination. The archived directions describe a spot behind the high school near West 22nd Street and Alamo Drive, with parking explicitly uncertain. That route is not endorsed as current swimming access, and the retained map point is not a verified entrance.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The city lists named access points including Oxbow Park, Memorial Park at 29th Street, the Recreation Center and Schneider Park at 9th Street. These are separate destinations, not confirmations of the historical high-school swimming location.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
A listed public river access does not establish a designated swimming beach or suitable conditions at the historical hole. Follow current city rules and restrictions, respect private property and do not jump or dive. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
City Parking
Parking lot
1.2 mi
2.5 (8)
Parking lot, Durango, CO 81301
D&SNG Parking
Parking lot
1.4 mi
4.9 (18)
209 W College Dr, Durango, CO 81301
Animas River Trail & Greenway
Park
1.4 mi
4.7 (38)
501 Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81301
Cycling lanes
21691 US Highway 160 West Parking
Parking lot
1.5 mi
5 (1)
21691 US-160, Durango, CO 81301
Restroom
San Juan National Forest Supervisor's Office
City government office
1.5 mi
3.8 (12)
15 Burnett Ct, Durango, CO 81302
Restroom
Santa Rita Park Restrooms
Public bathroom
1.9 mi
109 Larry Valdez Wy, Durango, CO 81301
United Campgrounds of Durango.
Campground
2.5 mi
4.1 (510)
United Campgrounds of Durango, 1322 Animas View Dr, Durango, CO 81301
Frequently Asked Questions About Durango-Animas
Is the historical swimming spot behind the high school verified?
No. The archived note leaves parking uncertain, and current permission at that exact location has not been established.
Where should I check public river access?
Use the City of Durango's Animas River access map and confirm the permitted activity at the named destination you select.
Does the paved river trail guarantee an accessible swim entrance?
No. The official tourism description concerns a shared-use trail, not a verified accessible water-entry route.
Are there restrooms at the historical swimming spot?
No services were verified there. The city separately lists facilities at Oxbow Park, which is a different destination.
Highlights
City Animas River access map
Paved shared-use river-trail context
Historical high-school spot clearly distinguished
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Moving water, cold exposure and obstructions are hazards
- The city recommends appropriate river safety equipment and preparation
- Do not jump or dive, and do not infer conditions from a photograph
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
The city describes a managed urban river corridor, while the original directory note described an informal spot behind the high school. These are not interchangeable access claims.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
One reviewed Durango photo shows a riverside path above water at dusk. It is corridor context, not the verified high-school swimming hole or an endorsed water entrance. Downtown buildings, portraits and an uncertain creek view were excluded.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow the city's river-user guidelines, keep waste out of the river and respect private property.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Confirm the chosen access point's hours before travel and allow for a daylight return. No site-specific hours verified for the historical hole.
Difficulty Level
The official tourism site describes a paved shared-use riverside trail. That does not establish an accessible descent or an easy water entrance at the historical swimming spot.
Fee
Fees for the historical swimming location unverified. The city identifies free parking for tubers at the Recreation Center; that does not establish free parking elsewhere.
Facilities
Oxbow Park facilities belong to Oxbow, not this listing's unverified historical river entrance. Consult the city access map to select the intended managed destination.
Activities
River-trail walking and managed river-access planning; historical swimming-hole permission unverified
Phone
Durango Parks and Recreation: 970-375-7321. This is the city's department contact, not a separate swimming-hole operator.
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No authorized campsite at the historical location verified. Arrange camping separately with the actual campground operator.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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