It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Yes, Mesa Verde Country is geared up for the season with special events that will surely bring a magic touch to your holidays this year.  

If you are looking for a winter vacation filled with unique, made-in-Colorado experiences, Mesa Verde Country will not disappoint you. 

We have selected the best holiday events and winter experiences for you to enjoy while visiting.

By Kassia Lawrence

Traveling is a wonderful way to experience new cultures, incredible views, enjoy new foods, and meet amazing people. Just as traveling will leave positive impacts on you, there are many ways you can leave a positive impact everywhere you go! We have put together five tips for responsible travel in Mesa Verde Country on your next visit.

By Kassia Lawrence

The crisp smell of piñon pines, juniper and sage float through the air as a slight breeze rustles through the desert foliage. Stars twinkle overhead and you can hear the wing beat of a raven as it flies through the dark sky above you. Nearby, an outline of ancient Ancestral Puebloan structures are visible through the starlight and the world feels still and peaceful. Stargaze among ancient dwellings for a unique, thought-provoking experience on your next trip to Mesa Verde Country.

The night skies over Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park are some of the darkest in the country. Because of this, they offer incredible stargazing opportunities year round.

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.

Being close to Mesa Verde National Park certainly has its advantages. This beautiful, incomparable archaeological site, dedicated to so much human mystery, has a way of making Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores stand out.

But that’s not all there is to Mesa Verde Country – around Mesa Verde Country, you’ll find thriving communities filled with outdoor recreation, arts & culture, world-class cuisine, local wineries & breweries, and the warm, welcoming people of Southwest Colorado. Read on to discover 10 Things to do & see in Mesa Verde Country.

SEVEN DAYS SEVEN ADVENTURES

The list of things to do and see in Mesa Verde Country is endless. With so much to do, planning your trip can be a little overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. To make your trip hassle-free we’ve put together a seven-day itinerary. This itinerary highlights some of the most interesting and exciting gems in Mesa Verde Country. We have also included a large variety of activities sure to please different interests and offer new experiences. From archaeological discovery to gallery shopping and mountain biking to fly fishing, this itinerary will keep you busy and always looking forward to your next adventure in Mesa Verde Country.

Southwest Colorado is teeming with mountain bike trails that appeal to all levels of riders. If you feel somewhere in the middle–between newbie and aggressive trail hound–the Cortez area of Colorado delivers. On and off the trails, you’ll love the sense of local community, agriculture and ancestral puebloan history that the region is known for.

I was there once, a beginner in the mountain bike community feeling intimidated by the sport. In that first year I took my bike to the Four Corners region of Colorado and was refreshed by the welcoming and non-pretentious spirit there. From confidence-boosting rides and welcoming folks at the local bike shops, I left the area feeling inspired and jazzed on mountain biking!

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

Die südwestliche Region von Colorado, bekannt als Mesa Verde Country, heißt Besucher willkommen, um den Sternenhimmel zu erleben und alles zu erleben, was es nach Sonnenuntergang zu erleben gibt. Mesa Verde liegt im Zentrum des dunkelsten Himmels, der in den zusammenhängenden Vereinigten Staaten verbleibt, was es zu einem großartigen Ort macht, um Sterne zu beobachten, Astrofotografie zu betreiben und sich zu fragen, was die Ureinwohner von Pueblo vor einem Jahrtausend an eben diesem Himmel gesehen haben. Aber keine Sorge, es gibt auch tagsüber viel zu erleben!

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:

Mesa Verde Country is located in southwest Colorado near the entrance to the magnificent Mesa Verde National Park. Our welcoming communities of Cortez, Dolores, and Mancos offer comfy accommodations, world-class dining, microbreweries and wineries, all kinds of outdoor fun, and visitor services.

The Park and its neighboring communities and wild spaces are what make Mesa Verde Country a destination of superlatives and treasures:

Mesa Verde Country è pieno sia di antichi pueblos che del fascino tipico del sud-occidentale. Anche se il Parco Nazionale di Mesa Verde attira, giustamente, la maggior parte dei visitatori in questo angolo del Colorado, ci sono comunque molte altre cose da esplorare. Gli appassionati di storia e delle attività all’aria aperta apprezzeranno il ricco passato della regione ma avranno difficoltà nella scelta (c’è tanto da fare)! Inoltre, l’industria alimentare e delle bevande sono molto radicate nel territorio, ed i sapori sono deliziosi quanto locali. Ecco i miei suggerimenti per trascorrere alcuni giorni nel Mesa Verde Country.

Das Mesa Verde Country ist voller alter Pueblos und südwestlichem Charme. Während der Mesa Verde Nationalpark die Mehrheit der Besucher in diese Ecke von Colorado lockt (und das zu Recht!), gibt es auch über den Park hinaus viel zu entdecken. Geschichtsinteressierte werden die reiche Vergangenheit der Region zu schätzen wissen, und Outdoor-Enthusiasten werden es schwer haben zu entscheiden, welche Aktivitäten sie zuerst angehen möchten. Darüber hinaus hat die Nahrungsmittel- und Getränkeindustrie ein starkes Engagement für – im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes – die Wurzeln der Region, und die Aromen sind genauso köstlich wie lokal. Hier sind meine Vorschläge für ein paar Tage im Mesa Verde Country.

Mesa Verde Country regorge de vieux pueblos et du charme du sud-ouest. Alors que le parc national de Mesa Verde attire la majorité des visiteurs dans ce coin du Colorado (et à juste titre!), beaucoup reste à explorer au-delà du parc. Les passionnés d’histoire apprécieront le riche passé de la région et les amateurs de plein air auront du mal à se décider à quelles activités s’adonneront en premier. En outre, l’industrie des aliments et des boissons est profondément attachée aux racines (au sens strict du mot) de la région et les saveurs sont aussi délicieuses qu’elles sont locales. Voici mes suggestions pour quelques jours au Mesa Verde Country.

Being close to Mesa Verde National Park certainly has its advantages. This beautiful, incomparable archaeological site, dedicated to so much human mystery, has a way of making Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores stand out.

But that’s not all there is to Mesa Verde Country – around Mesa Verde Country, you’ll find thriving communities filled with outdoor recreation, arts & culture, world-class cuisine, local wineries & breweries, and the warm, welcoming people of Southwest Colorado.

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 an off the beaten path area with incredibly unique features and experiences distinctive to this corner of Colorado. With nearby towns of Cortez, Dolores, and Mancos this area has much more to offer than Mesa Verde National Park, although it’s one of our favorites. Here are five reasons why Mesa Verde Country should be on your radar.

Mesa Verde Country is full of ancient pueblos and southwest charm. While Mesa Verde National Park attracts the majority of visitors to this corner of Colorado (and rightfully so!), there is much to explore beyond the Park. History buffs will relish in the region’s rich past, and outdoor enthusiasts will have a hard time deciding which activity to embrace. Additionally, the food and beverage industry has a strong commitment to–literally–the region’s roots, and flavors are just as much delicious as they are local. Here are my suggestions for passing a few days in Mesa Verde Country.