Visit The Durango Fish Hatchery
Your Fishin' Is Our Mission
The Durango Fish Hatchery is both a wildlife education museum and a working hatchery where visitors can see how eggs are raised into baby fish before they are stocked in the Animas River and surrounding streams. The unique museum attracts a lot of visitors every year because it offers so much.
Durango Fish Hatchery
The fish hatchery is located just north of town off Highway 550 on the west side of the Animas River. It was built in 1903 on 14 acres of land and is the oldest state owned fish hatchery in Colorado. The primary objective of the hatchery is to keep local rivers and reservoirs stocked with native fish. A nearby natural spring supplies the water for the fish-rearing. The water is treated and given extra oxygen to create ideal conditions for the fish.
Wildlife Education Museum
With interesting exhibits, wildlife displays and more than 50 species of animal on display at the Durango Fish Hatchery, you’re sure to learn something new about local wildlife habitats here in Durango. You’ll find various birds of prey, bobcats and bears on taxidermic mounts through the museum. It’s a great place to bring kids who are interested in wildlife. Visitors will get hands-on experience of their own and also enjoy hiking a lightly-traveled section of the Animas River Trail.
A Kid Friendly Activity
The facility includes an observation tank where people can see fish being raised for release into the wild. There are also classrooms for children’s educational programs, including hands-on activities like feeding minnows from your hand or learning how fish breathe underwater. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are appreciated. Just bring along some quarters for fish food to toss into the tank. Check out the hatchery rules before you visit.
Where Is The Durango Fish Hatchery?
The Durango Fish Hatchery is located on a 14 acre site on the west side of the Animas River in Durango just north of town off Highway 550. To get there from from Main Ave in downtown Durango, head north on Main Ave (Hwy 550) for approx 1 mile. Turn right on E 16th Street into the Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum parking area.
Animas River Trail
Starting at the end of the Animas River Trail by River Road, turn left onto River Rd and continue for 0.1 miles. Use the left two lanes to turn left onto US-160 W/US-550 N, and continue to follow US-550 N for approximately 4.6 miles. Finally, turn right onto E 16th St., which will lead you to the parking lot for visitors at either end of a bridge over Animas River Park & Wildlife Area.
Animas River Trail