COME TO LIFE | Cortez, Mancos, Dolores COLORADO MOUNTAINS & MESAS MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK ANCIENT ADVENTURES One of the richest archaeological zones in the U.S. is hidden amid some of the grandest natural landscapes in the Southwest. Visit Mesa Verde Country — Cortez , Mancos and Dolores — for awe-inspiring adventures. you want to go inside the famed Cliff Palace, you must nab a spot on a guided tour. From the visitor center, browse the exhibits in the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum . Then drive the Mesa Top Loop Road , a 6-mile overview of the entire park. On your way to Cliff Palace or Balcony House, enjoy the drive on the Cliff Palace/Balcony House Loop Road. Or if you purchased tickets for Long House, take Wetherill Mesa Road. Mesa Verde is also an International Dark-Sky Park. Visit at night for ranger-led stargazing programs in the spring and summer. CAMP UNDER STARRY SKIES AT CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS NATIONAL MONUMENT OR TAKE A SELF-GUIDED HISTORIC WALKING TOUR OF MANCOS, BOTH FREE! Day 1 Make your homebase in Cortez an hour from Mesa Verde National Park . Whether you stay at a yurt, cabin or guest ranch, Cortez has tons of excellent dining and shopping opportunities. But save in-town exploits for later — you have a national park to explore. Stop by the Colorado Welcome Center for local insights into the area’s offerings on the way. Head to the “green table” of Mesa Verde National Park, 150 1-800-COLORADO ADOBE STOCK. home to 4,000-plus archaeological sites, 600 of which are cliff dwellings. Pick up maps and brochures, see exhibits and purchase tour tickets at the Visitor and Research Center . Only two cliff dwellings are open for self-guided tours, so if INDULGE IN RUSTIC LUXURY WITH A KIVA DELUXE VIEW ROOM AT FAR VIEW LODGE IN MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK FOR EXCELLENT DINING AND STUNNING VISTAS OF THE RUGGED LANDSCAPE.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2022: Page 150
