Cortez, CO

Travel Guide

Mesa Verde National Park showing tranquil scenes, mountains and landscape views
Mesa Verde National Park which includes landscape views and tranquil scenes
Knife Edge Trail which includes landscape views and tranquil scenes
Mesa Verde National Park featuring tranquil scenes
Balcony House which includes heritage architecture

In this small town, enjoy ample outdoor adventures and discover prehistoric Ancestral Puebloan sites, including ancient settlements and rock art.

Located near a popular national park, a national monument and several important archaeological sites, the small town of Cortez is a popular stop-off for visitors to the region. Find out about the lives and practices of the Ancestral Puebloans, who thrived in this part of the U.S. before migrating elsewhere between the mid-12th and mid-15th centuries.

Begin your explorations at the Colorado Welcome Center. Pick up leaflets covering the many regional attractions, look at local maps and browse the on-site collection of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts. If you have any questions or queries about the region, ask staff who will be happy to help you find out what you need to know.

Venture into the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park southeast of town. The park has about 4,000 identified Ancient Puebloan sites. Climb ladders to see the centuries-old cliff-carved dwellings, study exhibits in the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center and follow hiking trails. Hiking routes range in difficulty and length try the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) Soda Canyon Overlook Trail or the more challenging 7.8-mile (12.5-kilometer) Prater Ridge Trail.

Also within easy reach of town is the Ute Mountain Tribal Park. Take a tour with a Native American guide and view pictographs (rock paintings) and petroglyphs (rock carvings) as well as dwellings, tools and geological formations. If you’re feeling lucky, visit the Ute Mountain Casino for a range of gambling opportunities.

For even more prehistoric sites set amid an astounding rugged landscape of canyons and mesas, head to the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.Here, follow mountain bike and hiking trails to ancient settlements where rooms were carved out of cliff sides.

Within the town, find abundant green parkland, walking trails and the 18-hole Conquistador Golf Course. Common daytrip destinations include McElmo Canyon, which features wine-tasting at lovely vineyards.

Find Cortez in southwest Colorado. To get here, fly from Denver into Cortez Municipal Airport. Because most of the major attractions are outside the town itself, it’s best to rent a car to get around.

Days Inn by Wyndham Cortez

Days Inn by Wyndham Cortez

2 out of 5
430 N State Hwy 145, Cortez, CO
$59 nightly
The price is $64 total per night from Nov 4 to Nov 5
$64 total
Nov 4 - Nov 5
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this motel in Cortez. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,046 reviews)
"Clean room"

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham Cortez
Baymont by Wyndham Cortez

Baymont by Wyndham Cortez

2.5 out of 5
2279 Hawkins, Cortez, CO
$85 nightly
The price is $89 total per night from Nov 2 to Nov 3
$89 total
Nov 2 - Nov 3
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Cortez. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,321 reviews)
"The hotel itself is older but it is extremely clean and the staff are amazing. I would stay here again."

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2025

Baymont by Wyndham Cortez
Retro Inn at Mesa Verde

Retro Inn at Mesa Verde

2 out of 5
2040 East Main Street, Cortez, CO
$77 nightly
The price is $85 total per night from Nov 21 to Nov 22
$85 total
Nov 21 - Nov 22
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this motel in Cortez. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,750 reviews)
Nice place to stay
"Very cute and quaint Little inn we stayed in the 1985 suite and it had a Tom Cruise theme. Very fun. The staff was very attentive to our needs and the room was clean although this is an older hotel the staff has done everything they can to make sure that it is what they say. It is the high ratings ..."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2025

Retro Inn at Mesa Verde
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quiet charming 3-bedroom house in central Cortez with WiFi and central air.

Quiet charming 3-bedroom house in central Cortez with WiFi and central air.

2 out of 5
Cortez
Stay at this vacation home in Cortez. Enjoy a fitness center, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Colorado Welcome Center at Cortez and Clay ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (67 reviews)
"This was a nice place to stay and the property owner was easy and friendly to communicate with."

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

Quiet charming 3-bedroom house in central Cortez with WiFi and central air.
Clean Quiet and Comfortable. Family friendly. Close to Mesa Verde National Park.

Clean Quiet and Comfortable. Family friendly. Close to Mesa Verde National Park.

Cortez
Stay at this vacation home in Cortez. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a garden. Popular attractions Colorado Welcome Center at Cortez and Clay Mesa art ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"This house was perfect for our trip to Cortez.. very clean and great location. Fully stocked kitchen Comfy beds. easy communication with host. Would definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2025

Clean Quiet and Comfortable. Family friendly. Close to Mesa Verde National Park.
Totten Lake Lodge - Dreamy Desert A-Frame

Totten Lake Lodge - Dreamy Desert A-Frame

Cortez
Stay at this cabin in Cortez. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Phil's World North Trailhead and Colorado Welcome Center ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
"Beautiful home that was in a great location."

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2025

Totten Lake Lodge - Dreamy Desert A-Frame
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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