Mesa Verde Area - Southwest Colorado

Includes Cortez, Mancos

 

The ruins of the Anasazi, a Navajo word meaning "Ancient Ones," are what bring people to this quiet, sun-drenched area. At Mesa Verde National Park visitors walk among the incredible cliff dwellings of these prehistoric Pueblo people. The Anasazi culture flourished here from approximately A.D. 1 to 1300, leaving behind a priceless legacy of their achievements in the famous cliff houses and mesa top villages. The reasons the Ancient Ones abandoned the area remains an enigma, despite decades of research. At one point, more than 40,000 Anasazi lived here.

Family picture in front of Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park near Cortez, Colorado
Mesa Verde's Cliff Palace is a Great Place for a Group or Family Photo
Cowboy on horse in the snow over looks Mancos Valley in Colorado
Explore the San Juan Mountains on Horseback Anytime of the Year

 

Ten miles west of the park is Cortez, once called by the Navajo "Tsaya-toh" (rock-water) for its spring. Lowry Indian Ruins, 26 miles north of Cortez, contain the largest and best preserved painted Anasazi kivas in world. Hovenweep National Monument, 40 miles west, has its unique Anasazi ruins. Other nearby monuments include Canyon of the Ancients National Monument and the Four Corners Area Monument which is located on Ute Mountain Ute and Navajo Indian reservations, the only place in the United States where four states meet.

Playground at Cortez City Park, Colorado
The Playground at Cortez City Park
The town of Cortez and the San Juan Mountains in Colorado
The Town of Cortez & the San Juan Mountains

 

Commercial air travel accommodations are handled by Cortez Municipal Airport. Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements.

Mesa Verde Area is near: Dolores Area & Durango Area

Featured Mesa Verde Area Businesses

Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park
The closest full service RV Park to Mesa Verde National Park, across from the Entrance! Ancient Cedars has easy Highway access for BIG RVs, full hookup RV sites, cabins, tent sites. 8 miles East of Cortez.

 Web page link icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages Tent Camping RV Parks and Resorts Pool on site Scenic Byways and Drives 

Canyon Trails Ranch: Guided Horse Rides, Campground, Shepherd Wagon Glamping
Canyon Trails Ranch, family glamping with guided horse rides, campground, shepherd wagon rentals. Hike or ride into Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. 10 miles from Cortez. LQ Horse Camping.

 Web page link icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages National Parks Scenic Byways and Drives Horseback Riding, Trail Rides 

Echo Basin Resort - The Four Corners' Premier Cabin and RV Resort
AN IDEAL RESORT DESTINATION: Family vacations with RV sites and cabins. Echo Basin is between Durango and Mesa Verde National Park in Mancos, Colorado -- where Mesas meet Mountains.

 Web page link icon Photos on page icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages RV Parks and Resorts Family Friendly National Parks 

Mancos State Park
In the San Juan Mountains, near Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos State Park offers: trout fishing, campsites, 2 ultra-modern yurts with propane heat. Jackson Gulch Reservoir: wakeless boats.

 Web page link icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages Tent Camping RV Parks and Resorts 

Pine River Lodge - Overlooking Beautiful Vallecito Lake
YEAR AROUND FUN! Lodge with indoor pool! In the San Juan Mountains along Pine River overlooking Vallecito Lake, cabins and vacation homes with kitchens. Near Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.

 Reservation link icon Photos on page icon Special offers and discounts link icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages Vacation Homes Lodging by water Pool on site Scenic Byways and Drives Fishing Hunting 


For more travel information contact:

Colorado Welcome Center & Cortez Chamber
Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce
Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce

Mesa Verde Area Activities & Maps

National Parks and Monuments:
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Hovenweep National Monument
Mesa Verde National Park

Scenic Byways:
Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway

Fishing:
Four Corners Area Fishing Map

Jeep & 4WD:
Durango Jeeping & ATV/UTV Trails

Ski Areas & Resorts:
Hesperus Ski Area

Snowmobiling:
Dolores Snowmobile Trails

 
 
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