- Mesa Verde National Park is the nation's largest archaeological preserve. Half-day and full-day tours to cliff dwellings offer visitors a glimpse of the Ancestral Puebloan civilization that inhabited the region from 500 A.D. to 1300 A.D. Lodging, dining, camping and shopping are available inside the park. For information on Mesa Verde National Park call 970-529-4465 or visit www.nps.gov/meve/ or www.visitmesaverde.com
- Largest archaeological preserve in the United States
- Spectacular cliff dwellings and mesa-top villages
- Half-day and full-day guided tours available
- Spruce Tree House open for self-guided tours daily
- Tickets required for visits to most of the cliff dwellings
- Voted top monument by Condé Naste Traveler
- National Geographic Traveler named Mesa Verde one of the "50 Places to Visit in a Lifetime."
- Mesa Verde means "green table" in Spanish
- Only National Park dedicated to the work of humankind
- Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is a 164,000-acre monument containing the highest density of archaeological sites anywhere in the United States.
- Canyons of the Ancients boasts more than 20,000 archaeological sites
- Well-preserved remnants of cultures dating back more than one thousand years
- Lowery Pueblo National Historic Landmark located within the monument is an eighth-century pithouse village with eight kivas and 40 rooms
- Sand Canyon/East Rock Canyon offer great hiking and mountain biking
- Painted Hand Pueblo is representative of an extended family site
- Hovenweep National Monument contains six stunning Ancestral Puebloan sites unique for their square, oval, circular and D-shaped towers. The new Hovenweep Visitor Center's exhibits provide insight into the archaeological, ethnographic, historical and contemporary cultures of the region. Open daily 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. There is also a new interpretive trail at the Monument. Call 970-562-4282 or visit www.nps.gov/hove.
- Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is a non-profit research and education center that works with volunteers to help excavate archaeological sites. Week-long excavation programs are offered, as well as hands-on day programs twice a week from June through September. For reservations, call 1-800-422-8975. More information may be found by visiting www.crowcanyon.org.
- Anasazi Heritage Center located near Dolores is a unique federal museum and research center with artifacts, photos and interactive displays. Gallery displays change several times a year. Adjacent to the museum are 12th century Dominguez and Escalante sites, named after the Franciscan friars who were first to record the presence of Indians in Colorado. Information is available by calling 970-882-4811 or by visiting www.co.blm.gov/ahc.
- Cortez Cultural Center contains a wealth of information on archaeology and Native Culture with interpretive exhibits, displays and work by local artists. During the summer, Native American Cultural Programs are held Monday through Thursday and an outdoor drama is performed on Friday and Saturday. Cultural Programs include Indian Dances and special presentations on Native Culture. The Outdoor Drama features playwright and actress Sharon French in Black Shawl, a multi-cultural woman's-eye-view of life in the Four Corners. All performances are free. Call 970-565-1151 or visit www.cortezculturalcenter.org.
- Ute Mountain Tribal Park is a primitive area located on "the other side" of Mesa Verde National Park. Guided tours of the park are lead by Ute Mountain Ute guides. Tours offer insight into Ute and Ancestral Puebloan cultures. Visitors enjoy geological land formations, rock art and cliff dwellings in a quiet setting. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe have called Towaoc and more than 597,000 acres of land home for more than 100 years. Today natural resources of the land and the largest casino in southwest Colorado provide income for the tribe, making it the second largest employer in the area. www.utemountainute.com or www.utemountaincasino.com.
Communities
- Cortez - the archaeological center of America; home to Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners area.
- Dolores - small mountain town near McPhee Lake, Colorado's second largest lake; adjacent to San Juan/Rio Grande National Forest; home to Rio Grande Southern Railroad Galloping Goose Railcar and Museum
- Mancos - ranching community near Mesa Verde National Park where the "West Still Lives"
- Towaoc - Tribal headquarters for Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Lodging
- 22 hotels with over 1,150 rooms
- 16 B&B's with over 80 rooms
- 18 campground and RV parks with over 1300 spaces
- 15 guest ranches and cabins with 119 units
Dining Facilities
- Numerous restaurants ranging from elegant fine dining, scrumptious bakeries, and European-style wine bars to traditional family and fast food establishments. The Metate Room at Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park was named one of the Top 10 Restaurants in Colorado.
Other Activities
- Hiking -- San Juan National Forest and high desert canyon country offer some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Colorado.
- Mountain Biking -- Trails along the Dolores River Canyon provide scenic rides. Biking trails to Cannonball Mesa provide views of McElmo Canyon, Battlerock and Yellow Jacket Canyon.
- Golfing -- Conquistador Golf Course, a professional quality, par 72 eighteen-hole 6,852-yard public course, sits at 6,200 feet with spectacular views of Mesa Verde, the La Plata Mountains and Sleeping Ute Mountain.
- Fishing -- McPhee Lake is unquestionably the best fishing spot in the San Juan Basin according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife; 4.5 million fish stocked in McPhee makes for great fishing. There are 16 more recommended fishing spots in the area, including Gold Metal Waters on the lower Dolores River.
- Rafting -- Dolores River provides thrills and spectacular scenery.
- Road bike riding -- The high mountain passes of the San Juan Skyway provide high attitude rides and beautiful scenery.
- Scenic driving -- Centrally located on the San Juan Skyway, known as "America's Most Beautiful Drive."
- Snowmobiling -- Explore hundreds of miles of Forest Service trails, bowls and meadows.
- Cross-country skiing -- Well-marked trails invite cross-country skiers to enjoy this pristine area.
- Alpine skiing -- just 1.5 hours away at Telluride Resort with 15 lifts and 1,700 skiable acres. Stay at select Cortez area lodging properties and receive discounted lift tickets.
- Hunting -- Big game hunting is legendary; one of the most productive hunting areas in the country.
- Stage coach rides -- enjoy a historic ride through remote Weber Canyon in the Mancos Valley.
- Horseback rides -- Trail rides and cattle drives available at local guest ranches or from area outfitters.
Scenic Four Corners Region
Located in the Four Corners region of Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, the only place in the United States where four states meet.
|
Miles
|
Hours
|
|
Albuquerque
|
252
|
5.5
|
|
Phoenix
|
404
|
8.5
|
|
Grand Canyon - south rim
|
368
|
6.5
|
|
Grand Canyon - north rim
|
340
|
7.5
|
|
Denver
|
380
|
8
|
|
Grand Junction
|
204
|
4
|
|
Telluride
|
78
|
1.5
|
|
Salt Lake City
|
356
|
7
|
|
Los Angeles
|
730
|
13
|
For more information on lodging, dining, attractions and area information call 1-800-253-1616 or visit www.mesaverdecountry.com.
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