Hesperus is an unincorporated town in Southwest Colorado and offers its own unique lifestyle and gorgeous landscapes. A blink-and-you-might-miss-it place, there is still plenty to enjoy from a Hesperus basecamp.
The History
Taking its name from the nearby Hesperus Mountain, this small community is located at the intersection of Highway 160 and County Highway 140, 11 miles west of Durango, CO. The official Hesperus Post Office was founded in 1891 with the zip code 81326. One gas station, a convenience store, the post office, and a restaurant complete the town’s amenities. The true benefits of living in this area are the quick access to nature, the privacy of rural living, and proximity to Durango, Mancos, and the overall Southwest Colorado area.
Things To Do in Hesperus, CO
- La Plata Canyon starts about five miles north of Highway 160 on County Road 124. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, Jeeping, and more can be enjoyed in the canyon. The La Plata River begins at Taylor Lake and runs seasonally through the entire canyon. The summit is nine miles up the dirt road (high-clearance vehicles are highly recommended!), where the views are expansive and the Colorado Trail connects. There are multiple US Forest Service campgrounds as well as dispersed camping in the area, since this area is part of the San Juan National Forest.
- Blue Lake Ranch is a beautiful Southwest Colorado boutique lodge about six miles south of Highway 160. This private ranch offers 17 unique options, including cabins and cottages, with luxurious amenities and homemade breakfasts. This is an ideal getaway, and is also used as a venue for weddings, retreats, reunions, and other private events.
- With a history dating back to 1880, The Old Fort at Hesperus has been a military fort, Indian boarding school, high school, and two-year college (now known as Fort Lewis College). Today, The Old Fort is an agricultural base offering education, resources, tours, events, and a country store.
- Aptly named after Kennebec Peak, one of the most prominent peaks at the top of La Plata Canyon, The Kennebec serves elevated, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Only open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, they focus on seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients. Their food can be paired with a drink from their curated wine, beer, and cider list. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with lovely outdoor seating when the weather allows. The scenery and dishes make this a wonderful, off-the-beaten-path option, and they also offer custom baked goods to enjoy at the restaurant or take home.
- Although it hasn’t been in operation since 2023, Hesperus Ski Area is a long-time local ski area known for its close proximity to Durango (12 miles!) and night skiing hours, perfect for after-work runs. The double chair lift gave skiers and boarders access to 26 trails with a summit elevation of 8,888’ for 700’ of vertical descent. The area also offered tubing, ski lessons, rentals, and a snack bar. Hopefully, the area will reopen in the future and continue to serve as an affordable local ski option for Southwest Colorado residents.
Hesperus, CO Real Estate
Hesperus encompasses rural areas that offer private living, typically on larger acreage parcels, and views of the surrounding mountains. Some properties are lucky enough to have La Plata River frontage or views of Lake Nighthorse. Homes vary in style, size, and price, with some dating back to the early 1900s while others are modern mansions. There are also many horse properties, vacant land, and undeveloped mining claims in the canyon. Trapper’s Crossing, Shenandoah, and Long Hollow are a few of the subdivisions in Hesperus. View land and homes for sale in Hesperus, CO here.
Nearby Places
Hesperus, CO is surrounded by other small La Plata County towns such as Kline, Marvel, and Red Mesa, which are on the way to the New Mexico state border. To the west, Mancos is the gateway to Mesa Verde National Park with Cortez shortly after offering more stores, restaurants, and amenities, including fairgrounds, trails, and more in Montezuma County. Durango, to the east, is the major Southwest Colorado hub with the most community resources (commercial airport, hospital, library, K-12 and college education, etc.), events, shopping, and outdoor amenities.
The greater Southwest Colorado area has so much diversity in real estate. For more information about living in or visiting Hesperus or any surrounding area, please contact Max and Deven at The Durango Team.
