Mesa Verde Country Blog

By Diane McBride

I was hiking as I often do across the high-desert landscape near my home in Southwest Colorado when I came upon a cultural (archaeological) site. Montezuma County can boast over 24,000 recorded sites and even more that have not been recorded. I looked down and noticed the usual array of flakes from making stone tools and pieces of pottery broken and left here long ago.

By Nick Cote, Visit USA Parks

Set against a backdrop of pinion-studded mesas and snow-capped peaks, Mesa Verde Country is home to some of the most stunning and unique communities in the West. Come for the scenery and history, but stay for the hospitality and world-class food and beverage scene.

1. ONE NATIONAL PARK – THE ONLY OF ITS KIND!

Approximately one third of Mesa Verde Country is public land. That means it’s ours, and it’s also yours. We like to think of it as our backyard: a space we enjoy year-round and a space we’re happy to share with guests we hope will help us take care of it. We won’t make you mow the lawn or rake the leaves. Just keep a few simple things in mind to help us keep it pristine and healthy so we all (including the more wild residents) can continue to enjoy it for generations to come.

Mesa Verde Country liegt im Südwesten Colorados in der Nähe des Eingangs zum herrlichen Mesa Verde Nationalpark. Unsere gastfreundlichen Gemeinden Cortez, Dolores und Mancos bieten komfortable Unterkünfte, erstklassige Restaurants, Kleinbrauereien und Weinkellereien, alle Arten von Outdoor-Aktivitäten und Besucherdienste.

Der Park und die angrenzenden Gemeinden und Wildnisgebiete machen das Mesa Verde Country zu einem Reiseziel der Superlative und Schätze:

Story & Photos by Emily Sierra Photography

For me, it’s what is on the outside that counts… at least when I’m traveling. I love to spend time exploring and recreating in the outdoors, and luckily Southwest Colorado is teeming with uncrowded outdoor spaces and fascinating, historic places to visit. Of course lodging and accommodations are a crucial piece to the travel puzzle. Fortunately, deciding where to stay inside during a pandemic is relatively simple in Mesa Verde Country, Colorado depending on your comfort level.

During the snowy season, outdoor activities offer a fun way to connect with nature and friends. Mesa Verde Country in Southwest Colorado invites you to get out in the sunshine and fresh air of the Four Corners region. Moderate winter temperatures in this unique location provide opportunities to soak up nature amid the beautiful backdrop of Southwest Colorado. Biking, skiing, hiking and horseback riding are a few of the experiences that can be enjoyed in a beautifully wintery setting.

Fishing in Colorado, Kayaking in Colorado, and much more

Although Southwestern Colorado enjoys four seasons, it’s no secret that summer afternoons can be real scorchers. Cool off with these five ideas that have you fishing gold-medal waters, plunging into alpine hot springs, wielding water noodles, and more.

Looking for a long weekend getaway? Southwestern Colorado is an ideal destination for year-round adventure, culture, and fun! Pack the car and point towards the Four Corners on this three-day road trip the whole family will enjoy. 

Mesa Verde Country is home to tremendous diversity when it comes to hiking trails in Colorado. From sandstone mazes through piñon pine to deep shady canyons lined with ancient cliff dwellings and beyond, Mesa Verde Country is the perfect destination for every type of trekker. While the trails that follow are by no means an exhaustive list of what our backyard has to offer, these are some of our favorites with a variety of difficulty levels.