Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Before you go
Your trip to Cortez.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Cortez – Colorado Destination Mesa Verde and Durango about 609 km from Denver
How to get there
-
Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ) 8 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Cortez Airport (CEZ) is 8 km away, with few flights. Durango Airport (DRO), about 100 km away, has more options. By car, Durango is about 75 km away.
How many days
Two to three days: one or two for Mesa Verde and one for Hovenweep, Four Corners, or the Dolores Heritage Center.
When to go
From May to October, when Mesa Verde guided tours operate. Summers are warm by day and cool at night, with afternoon thunderstorms; in winter some park areas close.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes. Sites are spread across the region, and there is no public transportation to them.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Cortez
-
Morning
Cliff Palace
Go up to Mesa Verde National Park early and take the ranger-led Cliff Palace tour, with your ticket purchased in advance.
-
Afternoon
Mesa Top Loop
Drive the Mesa Top Loop road, with overlooks above the canyons and ruins of the oldest villages, and visit the Chapin Mesa museum.
2 days in Cortez
Day 2
-
Morning
Hovenweep
Go to Hovenweep National Monument and hike the Little Ruin Canyon trail among the stone towers.
-
Afternoon
Four Corners
Head to the Four Corners monument on Navajo land, where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is Cortez far from Mesa Verde?
The park entrance is about 15 km from Cortez; the Cliff Palace area is about 50 km from town via the park road, which climbs the mesa with curves.
What is the Four Corners monument?
It is the point where the boundaries of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet, on Navajo land, about 65 km from Cortez.
What is there to do in Cortez besides Mesa Verde?
Visit Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients from the Dolores heritage center, and Four Corners.
What time zone is Cortez in?
UTC−7 in standard time (Mountain Time) and UTC−6 from March to November, with daylight saving time.