The ruins of the Anasazi, a Navajo word meaning "Ancient Ones," are what bring people to this quiet, sun-drenched area. At Mesa Verde National Park visitors walk among the incredible cliff dwellings of these prehistoric Pueblo people. The Anasazi culture flourished here from approximately A.D. 1 to 1300, leaving behind a priceless legacy of their achievements in the famous cliff houses and mesa top villages. The reasons the Ancient Ones abandoned the area remains an enigma, despite decades of research. At one point, more than 40,000 Anasazi lived here.

A short distance south of the town of Mancos en route to Weber Canyon (the eastern boundry of Mesa Verde National Park) is a new old-fashioned horse drawn stage line for your enjoyment run by the Bartels Family. Ten miles west of the park is Cortez, once called by the Navajo "Tsaya-toh" (rock-water) for its spring. Lowry Indian Ruins, 26 miles north of Cortez, contain the largest and best preserved painted Anasazi kivas in world. Hovenweep National Monument, 40 miles west, has its unique Anasazi ruins. Other nearby monuments include Canyon of the Ancients National Monument and the Four Corners Area Monument which is located on Ute Mountain Ute and Navajo Indian reservations, the only place in the United States where four states meet.

Commercial air travel accommodations are handled by Cortez Municipal Airport. Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements.

Mesa Verde Area is near: Dolores, Dove Creek, Durango & Pagosa Springs