7 Best Golf Communities Near Durango: Live Near Colorado's Best Golf Courses

Durango Golf Communities

The city of Durango, surrounded by the rugged San Juan Mountains, looks like it was plucked straight from a postcard. The city has a charming downtown core, the Animas River running right through it, and a history rooted in mining. Combine all that with its Wild West lore and the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and you have the makings of an equally wonderful place to visit and live. It's no wonder so many people are interested in moving to Durango!

As if all those things aren't reason enough to love living in the Durango area, the city also has an abundance of beautiful golf communities, offering another way to enjoy the fantastic year-round weather. Many of them are located in Durango's best neighborhoods, with sweeping views of the area. Some communities sit right on a course and are complete with Durango golf course homes, while others are a short drive away, giving residents the best of both worlds.

Glacier Club

Living at the Glacier Club means you have a world-class private golf course in your backyard. Many of the homes in this community sit right along the club greens and fairways, giving residents a stunning view of both the golf course and the adjacent mountains of the Animas Valley. The homes on the aptly named Glacier Club Drive overlook the 4th hole on the course.

Homes for sale in Glacier Club list from around $1 million, but homes regularly list for more than $3 million. For that price, prospective residents can choose various home types, from condos to large, modern ranch-style homes.

The Glacier Club Golf Course was thoughtfully designed to captivate and challenge golfers, with multiple courses spanning the massive property. Renowned golf course designers Todd Schoeder and Hale Irwin masterfully weaved in the natural topography when they created the Mountain Course. On this course, golfers can put their skills to the test as they navigate the rocky terrain and send golf balls soaring over the valley.

The Valley Course serves as the Mountain Course's equally challenging sister. In 1976, course architect Arthur Hills integrated this course directly into the hillsides and developed a game with nearly endless twists and turns. To this day, the Valley Course's undulating elevations, hazards, and bunkers victimize even the most seasoned golfers.

Glacier Club Amenities

  • Heated driveways
  • Private pool
  • Network of hiking trails onsite
  • Frequent planned community events

Hillcrest Greens

Hillcrest Greens is an excellent neighborhood for those who want to spread out and take advantage of all the open natural space southwest Colorado offers. The homes here are built on notably large lots, and most are well over 2,000 square feet, giving their residents plenty of room inside and out.

Homes for sale in Hillcrest Greens offer spacious bedrooms, excellent mountain views, perks like fireplaces for those cold Colorado nights, and a location adjacent to the 18-hole Hillcrest Golf Club. These houses typically list for just under $1 million. The homes on the community's north end have views of the course.

The course itself has been a golfer's paradise since 1969. During the regular season (March through the first weekend of December), Hillcrest Greens golfers can book their tee times up to one week in advance. In addition to 18 holes, the club has a full-size driving range and a short-game practice facility to warm up or just hit some balls in a relaxing, no-pressure environment. Whether players want to walk or ride in style on an electric golf cart, it's easy to get around this beautiful course. The Hillcrest Greens neighborhood is also close to many of the best parks in Durango.

Hillcrest Greens Amenities

  • Multiple parks nearby
  • Near the local favorite Chapman Hill Ski Area and Ice Rink
  • Multi-car garages
  • Quick access to Durango's most popular hiking and biking trails

Sky Ridge

Living in the Sky Ridge Community

If you've heard something like "live the high life in Colorado," there's a decent chance it's referring to living at Sky Ridge. Not only is the community just a short distance from the popular Hillcrest Golf Course, but it also has its own array of shops, restaurants, and even transportation options, like the extensive trail system that connects residents and their homes.

Sky Ridge homes carry price tags of anywhere from the mid-$300s to about $750,000, with townhomes and condos on the lower end and single-family homes sitting at the upper end of that spectrum.

The Sky Ridge community also offers another opportunity to live near the famed Hillcrest Greens Golf Club. Hillcrest is great for those who know their way around the greens and have the fairways pretty well memorized, but it's also an excellent course for more novice or casual golfers.

At Hillcrest Greens, new players can take lessons to improve their swing, get one-on-one coaching from the pros, and learn the ins and outs of golf. This is possible in the rain, shine, or snow all year long, thanks to the indoor golf simulator, helping keep players engaged with the game even when they can't hit the links for real.

Sky Ridge Amenities

  • Tennis courts
  • Oversized playground
  • Trail system
  • Minutes from Fort Lewis College

Trimble Crossing

Trimble Crossing is a master-planned community with 64 homes, with most townhomes ranging in size from 1,750–2,800 square feet. Due to the neighborhood's relatively small size, it has a reputation as welcoming and active, with several community events throughout the year.

Homes for sale in Trimble Crossing typically list from around $700,000. That price gets residents homes with upgraded stainless steel appliances, oversized garages, and oversized windows to take advantage of sunlight and gorgeous views. This community is only a few minutes from Dalton Ranch Golf Club, a semi-private course.

Dalton Ranch Golf Club is a picturesque, sprawling 270-acre campus that offers dedicated event space, a fitness center with instructor-led classes, and Alce' Restaurant, in addition to golf. In addition to Trimble Crossing residents, there are nearly 500 other club members who visit the club.

Keeping true to Durango's historical Wild West roots, it is believed that the golf course's land was originally a cattle ranch purchased by a notorious gang. Regardless of its rumored ill-gotten beginning, Dalton Ranch stands today as one of the premier golf courses in Durango. The 18-hole course is accented by plentiful trees and alternating terrain, including several water hazards that golfers have to maneuver the ball around.

Trimble Crossing Amenities

  • Two-car garages
  • Slab foundation homes
  • Low-E windows
  • Front and back patios

The Ranch

Living in The Ranch Community

The Ranch is ideal for people who love the rugged outdoors but want to be close to big-city amenities. From the neighborhood, you can drive just 10 miles to downtown Durango. Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, there's always something to admire and enjoy in your home, whether that's the high ceilings, new upscale appliances, or built-in bookshelves.

Single-family homes for sale in the Ranch neighborhood typically list from the $800s, but the community's share of Durango townhomes can be found listed from the mid-$600s.

The Ranch is close to two excellent golf courses. Dalton Ranch and Hillcrest Golf Club are just minutes from this community, each offering 18 holes of varying terrain interspersed with trees, ensuring that no two rounds of golf are alike. In addition to full games, golfers can come to these courses for lessons to improve their play and, often, enjoy a nice meal at the clubhouse.

The Ranch Amenities

  • Park-like setting that comprises walking trails, waterfalls, lakes, and streams
  • Located just off Highway 550, en route to the "Million Dollar Highway"
  • Basketball court
  • Tennis court
  • Recreational vehicle storage

Cortez, Colorado

It's not technically Durango, but nearby Cortez (about one hour away) offers its own slate of fantastic homes and golf courses. It's best known as the gateway to Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing endless archaeological secrets beneath its rocky roots. Homes in Cortez are perfectly nestled within the rugged mountainous landscape, and many homes are set on wide-open, earthy lots with epic views of the surrounding valley.

The Conquistador Golf Club literally elevates your golf game—by 6,200 feet, to be exact. The 18-hole, par 72 golf course has something to accommodate every type of golfer. Play various holes around trees, hills, and water hazards while taking in the views. There's also an onsite pro shop for all your golfing needs.

Cortez's South Forty Golf Course may only have nine holes, but it's a challenging course in its own right. While the links may prove challenging, golfers know that it's anything but a challenge interacting with the management team at this family-owned course. The South Forty Course is well-known for its reasonable fees and pet-friendly environment.

Cortez Amenities

  • Close to Mesa Verde National Park
  • Several annual community festivals and events
  • Community recreation center
  • Abundance of parks, campgrounds, and RV parks

Pagosa Springs Golf Club

Like Cortez, Pagosa Springs is not part of Durango proper but is a wonderful community with homes for every taste and budget. Homes for sale in Pagosa Springs come in all shapes and sizes, with price points spanning from the $400s to over $1 million, most located just a few minutes from Pagosa Springs Golf Club.

The golf club is home to a 27-hole course, where every round will leave players with a whole new appreciation for the game. Golfers here have to watch out for the towering pine trees that prove an extra challenge. Golfers can also see elk, deer, black bears, and other woodland creatures that visit this stunning natural course. The club is also home to the aptly-named 7530' Grill, serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Pagosa Springs Golf Club Amenities

  • Community recreation center
  • City Market
  • Large home lots
  • Walking and biking trails

Live Life on The Greens in Durango

It's no secret that Colorado offers four-season recreation, evidenced by the abundance of Durango water recreation activities. When you live in Durango, you don't necessarily need to hit a hiking trail or put a boat in the water to enjoy nature. Warm weather here means it's time to break out the clubs and hit the links on any of Durango's golf courses.

Whether you want to live where you can see your favorite fairway right out the window, or you're happy to make a short drive to play a round, Durango has something to offer every homeowner and avid golfer.

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