Durango used to have a bowling alley, and people still bring it up. DGO Magazine ran a "Vintage Durango" column in December 2016 about Basin Bowl, noting that all that remained was an old ad and some memories, and it asked whether the town could have an alley again (DGO Magazine). Nearly a decade later the nearest lanes are still a drive away. Here is where to bowl, what it costs, and how to plan around the league nights.
Where is the closest bowling alley to Durango?
Rolling Thunder Lanes is the answer. The details, from the alley's own page:
- Size: 24 lanes, AMF equipment
- Address: 14324 Highway 172 North, Ignacio, inside a larger resort complex
- Distance: the alley calls itself "just outside of Durango," and the resort says it sits about 15 minutes from the Durango airport
- Food: a grill serves food and drinks into the bowling area at certain times
- Phone: 970-563-1707, and call ahead because the alley says it sometimes closes early
Posted hours, as of October 22, 2026:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Monday and Tuesday | 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Wednesday and Thursday | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Wednesday is league play only after 4 p.m.) |
| Friday and Saturday | 10 a.m. to midnight |
Final game sales stop 30 minutes before closing, and games end 15 minutes before closing.
How much does bowling cost near Durango?
| When | Per game | Per hour | Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday, opening to 5 p.m. | $3 | $8 | $2 |
| Monday to Thursday, after 5 p.m. | $5 | $10 | $3 |
| Friday to Sunday, all day | $5 | $10 | $3 |
The alley also posts daily deals. Monday and Tuesday are "retro pricing" at $2 a game and $1 for shoes. An early-bird deal runs Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $2 a game and $2 shoes. On Sundays from 5 p.m. to close it is $4 games and $2 shoes. Bowl a 200 or better in one game and you earn two free game cards for a later visit, limited to one reward per customer. Promotions change, so confirm the day's deal at the desk.
Are there leagues and parties?
Yes to both. The USBC league lineup the alley posts for this fall includes a Day-Timer's league on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and a Men's league on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., and the alley also lists women's, mixed and youth leagues. League members get discounted open-play games, and you can ask about starting your own league through the front desk. A party package costs $30 per hour per lane, parties must be booked 48 hours ahead by staff, and the alley adds a 20% gratuity. Glow Bowl, the lights-down version, runs every Friday and Saturday evening starting at 6 p.m.
What else is there to do at the alley?
The arcade sits a few steps from the lanes. It has five claw games, three racing games, a Jurassic Park game, Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga, air hockey, pinball, Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. Mini golf is half price every day from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday are the late nights, when Glow Bowl starts at 6 p.m. and the alley stays open until midnight. The cheapest rates are on weekday afternoons, and Wednesday is the exception because league play takes over from 4 p.m. on.
Is there another option?
Lakeside Lanes, a 12-lane center at 290 Lakeside Drive in Cortez, is the next closest alley. A bowling database lists it at 970-565-9355 (BowlDb). It is a smaller room, so it suits beginners and small kids, and open lanes depend on league schedules. Call before making the drive from Durango.
For a night out closer to home, try our events guide. Teens who prefer wheels to pins can head to the skate parks in Durango.