Colorado Explorer

Mesa Verde
Photo by Carrie Patrick

Colorado Explorer: Cortez

By Linda DuVal

Where the mountains meet the desert lies the town of Cortez. But this once-sleepy Four Corners village is waking up. That's not to say it bustles, exactly, but it sure has a lot to offer these days. Long a favorite overnight spot for visitors to Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez is conveniently located to other archeological sites as well, and new lodging and dining options seem to appear every year.

Mesa Verde National Park, a World Heritage Site, features some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. The park is open year round, but is most heavily visited in the summer months when the ruins are more easily accessible. It's easy to spend two full days exploring here. 970-529-4465.

Adjacent to Mesa Verde is the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, with ruins that are still in a completely natural condition, never reconstructed. Visitors aren't allowed to roam on their own, but guided tours can be arranged. 800-847-5485.

On the other side of Cortez, you can spend a week as an archeologist at the Crow Canyon Archeological Center. Or you can visit for a day, and just watch! 800-422-8975.

To round out your explorations, don't miss the Anasazi Heritage Center in nearby Dolores—one of the Southwest's premier museums. Only some of its three million artifacts are on display, but they're worth seeing. Hikers will enjoy the nearby Canyon of the Ancients, which has more than 6,000 archeological sites. 970-882-5600.

There are plenty of places to stay in Cortez these days, from chain motels to guest ranches or bed-and-breakfast inns. Dining options have expanded quite a bit in recent years and include Italian, Mexican and Chinese restaurants, steakhouses, fast food and a retro-style Denny's diner. We like Nero's Italian restaurant and the new Tequila's. At the Main Street Brewery, treat yourself to a locally made Mesa Cerveza with your meal.

For a truly memorable experience, not to mention panoramic views, stay at the Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park and dine on upscale Southwestern cuisine in the Metate Room. 888-896-3831.

If you're into gambling, the Ute Mountain Casino is just outside of town. If shopping is more your speed, look for hand-crafted pottery at the Mesa Verde Pottery Factory (where you can also watch it being made and visit the on-site art gallery). It'll make a souvenir worthy of placement on your mantelpiece.

Other area activities include horseback riding, hiking, camping, rafting and fishing. Visit the Cortez Cultural Center to check out the schedule for Indian dances and other performances.

For a free visitors' guide, contact the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez, 970-565-4048.

Linda DuVal is former travel editor of The Gazette in Colorado Springs and a freelance writer.