Guidebook of Suggestions
Sightseeing and Hikes
If you are staying here, you've come to a hikers, bikers paradise. The hiking here right from the cabin or bungalow doesn't get any better. But there are many other great places close by for you to get out and explore some more beautiful country. Sand Canyon, (below) and Hovenweep National Monument are part of the "Canyons of the Ancients National Monument" that make up our Ranch. I have provided a pocket guide book with photos to get you started on hikes right from the cabin and bungalow if you are staying here. I've been here 20+ years and am still amazed when I go out and explore and discover new canyons and ruins right in our backyard. We have 80+ acres that adjoin the "Canyons of the Ancients National Monument" with your own private access to explore beyond the 80 acres.
Mesa Verde is a national treasure with many great guided tours to explore the ruins and some self guided tours. It's about a 15 minute drive from downtown Cortez to the Park entrance. Stop at the Cortez Welcome Center for more info on tours, etc. Plan to spend a full day when visiting.
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Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde is a national treasure with many great guided tours to explore the ruins and some self guided tours. It's about a 15 minute drive from downtown Cortez to the Park entrance. Stop at the Cortez Welcome Center for more info on tours, etc. Plan to spend a full day when visiting.
This is a special place with wonderful hikes and ruins without all the people. There is a visitor center and they can guide you on things to do. It's a beautiful drive from where you are staying here just a little further down the canyon.
Also, in the cabin & bungalow I have made a self guided book to some spectacular hikes and ancient Puebloan ruins right out your door when staying here.
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Hovenweep National Monument
This is a special place with wonderful hikes and ruins without all the people. There is a visitor center and they can guide you on things to do. It's a beautiful drive from where you are staying here just a little further down the canyon.
Also, in the cabin & bungalow I have made a self guided book to some spectacular hikes and ancient Puebloan ruins right out your door when staying here.
Durango takes about 1 hr. 10 min. drive from the cabin & Bungalow.
Durango is a small city in southwestern Colorado, near the New Mexico border. The 19th-century Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train passes mountains and canyons. In the city center, its affiliated Railroad Museum displays restored locomotives, aircraft and a baggage car converted into a movie theater. Nearby, the Powerhouse Science Center offers interactive exhibits in a former power plant.
Elevation: 6,522′
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Durango
Durango takes about 1 hr. 10 min. drive from the cabin & Bungalow.
Durango is a small city in southwestern Colorado, near the New Mexico border. The 19th-century Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train passes mountains and canyons. In the city center, its affiliated Railroad Museum displays restored locomotives, aircraft and a baggage car converted into a movie theater. Nearby, the Powerhouse Science Center offers interactive exhibits in a former power plant.
Elevation: 6,522′
Sand Canyon is a Monument with many great ruins and hikes into the red rock canyons. We are also part of the National Monument where you are staying here so you can access the canyons without driving anywhere and see private ruins and have it pretty much to yourselves.
It's a wonderful experience right out your door without leaving.
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Sand Canyon and Rock Creek Trailhead
12543 Rd GSand Canyon is a Monument with many great ruins and hikes into the red rock canyons. We are also part of the National Monument where you are staying here so you can access the canyons without driving anywhere and see private ruins and have it pretty much to yourselves.
It's a wonderful experience right out your door without leaving.
According to readings by the National Geodetic Survey, the Four Corners marker showing the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah is in the wrong location. ... The accurate location would be downhill to the east of U.S. 160 in Colorado and northeast of the San Juan River as it flows into New Mexico.Apr 20, 2009. It's almost 1/2 mile off. You still have to pay $5.00 per person. Maybe worth seeing for the fun of it!
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Four Corners-monumentet
597 NM-597According to readings by the National Geodetic Survey, the Four Corners marker showing the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah is in the wrong location. ... The accurate location would be downhill to the east of U.S. 160 in Colorado and northeast of the San Juan River as it flows into New Mexico.Apr 20, 2009. It's almost 1/2 mile off. You still have to pay $5.00 per person. Maybe worth seeing for the fun of it!
Telluride is a must for scenic drives from here. The drive takes about 1 1/2 hrs and is about 76 miles from Cortez. You will want to stop along the way as the views and sights and few historic towns are spectacular. Telluride, a former Victorian mining town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, is set in a box canyon amid forested peaks at the base of a popular ski-and-golf resort. The town’s historic district houses landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House, a performing-arts venue originally built in 1913, and the Telluride Historical Museum, which showcases local history in a converted hospital built in 1896.
Elevation: 8,750′
Telluride, CO
Telluride is a must for scenic drives from here. The drive takes about 1 1/2 hrs and is about 76 miles from Cortez. You will want to stop along the way as the views and sights and few historic towns are spectacular. Telluride, a former Victorian mining town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, is set in a box canyon amid forested peaks at the base of a popular ski-and-golf resort. The town’s historic district houses landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House, a performing-arts venue originally built in 1913, and the Telluride Historical Museum, which showcases local history in a converted hospital built in 1896.
Elevation: 8,750′
Outdoor mountain biking
Beside great hiking and many ruins there is amazing trails for mountain biking in Sand Canyon. It's a big part of Canyon of the Ancients National Monument and the nice part is that it's just about 5 miles further down the canyon. When you leave the cabin or bungalow and hit the paved road, make a right, away from town.
In about 5 miles you'll see the parking area on the right and if you were inclined to stop at Sutcliffe Winery it's on the opposite side of the road a few driveways down. They are open 7 days a week noon to 5pm. Great way to end the day!
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Sand Canyon and Rock Creek Trailhead
12543 Rd GBeside great hiking and many ruins there is amazing trails for mountain biking in Sand Canyon. It's a big part of Canyon of the Ancients National Monument and the nice part is that it's just about 5 miles further down the canyon. When you leave the cabin or bungalow and hit the paved road, make a right, away from town.
In about 5 miles you'll see the parking area on the right and if you were inclined to stop at Sutcliffe Winery it's on the opposite side of the road a few driveways down. They are open 7 days a week noon to 5pm. Great way to end the day!
Horse Rides
Horse rides 10 minutes away into the red rock canyons here.
HORSE INFO BELOW:
Just in case you are interested in Horse Back Rides in the Canyons
canyontrailsranch.com
kristie@canyontrailsranch.com
970-565-1499
$ 100 / person
2 person minimum
8 years old minimum, and has to have some ability.
Up to 6 people.
Reservations only
Rider are in AM only
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Canyon Trails Ranch
13935 C R GHorse rides 10 minutes away into the red rock canyons here.
HORSE INFO BELOW:
Just in case you are interested in Horse Back Rides in the Canyons
canyontrailsranch.com
kristie@canyontrailsranch.com
970-565-1499
$ 100 / person
2 person minimum
8 years old minimum, and has to have some ability.
Up to 6 people.
Reservations only
Rider are in AM only
Wineries
Sutcliffe Wineries has some of the best local wines around and are served throughout the US in many fine restaurants. They are about 10 minutes away and are open for wine tasting and purchasing wines.
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Sutcliffe Vineyards
12174 County Rd GSutcliffe Wineries has some of the best local wines around and are served throughout the US in many fine restaurants. They are about 10 minutes away and are open for wine tasting and purchasing wines.
Local Farmers Market
Local farmers, bakers and artist come together on Saturday mornings and another day during the week to bring so many good, healthy organic produce. There's nothing like fresh picked greens and fruit and baked goods to serve up for lunch or dinner.
Cortez Farmer's Market
20 S Elm StLocal farmers, bakers and artist come together on Saturday mornings and another day during the week to bring so many good, healthy organic produce. There's nothing like fresh picked greens and fruit and baked goods to serve up for lunch or dinner.
Museum & Archeology Center
Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum is Southwest Colorado's premier archaeological museum, operated by the Bureau of Land Management since 1988. All museum facilities are wheelchair-accessible.
Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum is a museum focusing on Ancestral Puebloan, Native American, and historic cultures in the Four Corners region. It is also headquarters for visitors traveling to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
The museum features:
Permanent exhibits on archaeology, local history and Native American cultures
Two 12th-century archaeological sites (Ask a volunteer about the visiting these sites just outside of the museum.)
Special exhibits and events
Educational resources for teachers
Internships for enrolled and recently graduated college students
Research library of archaeology and anthropology resources
Research collection of more than 3 million artifacts and records from archaeological projects in Southwest Colorado
Picnic area and half-mile nature trail
Museum shop operated by the non-profit Canyonlands Natural History Association
Anasazi Heritage Center, located in Dolores, Colorado, is an archaeological museum of Native American pueblo and hunter-gatherer cultures. Two 12th-century archaeological sites, the Escalante and Dominguez Pueblos, at the center were once home to Ancient Pueblo peoples.
This place is very special if you are interested in the archeology and dwellings of the Ancient Publoans that lived here and the ruins that you will see when hiking from the cabin. It's a hands on museum with many of the best artifacts and history of the area you are staying in. It's will worth the visit!
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Canyons Of The Ancients Visitor Center & Museum
27501 CO-184Anasazi Heritage Center, located in Dolores, Colorado, is an archaeological museum of Native American pueblo and hunter-gatherer cultures. Two 12th-century archaeological sites, the Escalante and Dominguez Pueblos, at the center were once home to Ancient Pueblo peoples.
This place is very special if you are interested in the archeology and dwellings of the Ancient Publoans that lived here and the ruins that you will see when hiking from the cabin. It's a hands on museum with many of the best artifacts and history of the area you are staying in. It's will worth the visit!
Notah-Dineh is committed to preserving the honor and tradition established through over 50 years of dealing one-on-one with American Indian artists. We believe the quality and pride of craftsmanship is apparent in every item we offer for purchase.
Notah-Dineh specializes in unique Native American art including handmade Navajo rugs, kachinas, sandpaintings, cradle boards, moccasins, beadwork, sculpture, beaded baskets, original artwork, and 14K and sterling silver jewelry. Notah-Dineh also has an outstanding collection of Pueblo pottery, along with Ute and Navajo pottery, from the tiniest collectable miniatures to detailed showpieces of today’s master potters.
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Notah Dineh Trading Company and Museum
345 W Main StNotah-Dineh is committed to preserving the honor and tradition established through over 50 years of dealing one-on-one with American Indian artists. We believe the quality and pride of craftsmanship is apparent in every item we offer for purchase.
Notah-Dineh specializes in unique Native American art including handmade Navajo rugs, kachinas, sandpaintings, cradle boards, moccasins, beadwork, sculpture, beaded baskets, original artwork, and 14K and sterling silver jewelry. Notah-Dineh also has an outstanding collection of Pueblo pottery, along with Ute and Navajo pottery, from the tiniest collectable miniatures to detailed showpieces of today’s master potters.
Dining out
These are just a few of the favorite restaurants that are not a chain and each have their signature dishes which are locally sourced food when available. This is just a guide to help you make a better decision and hopefully have a wonderful experience when dining out. The restaurants below are recommended when eating out but there are others that serve the community well.
The Farm Bistro is a healthier choice as the food is from farm to table grown locally. Not only is it great food and a nice atmosphere they have a full cocktail bar and happy hour serving local beer and wine. They are NOT open on the weekends, just Monday thru Fridays for lunch and dinners.
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The Farm Bistro
34 W Main StThe Farm Bistro is a healthier choice as the food is from farm to table grown locally. Not only is it great food and a nice atmosphere they have a full cocktail bar and happy hour serving local beer and wine. They are NOT open on the weekends, just Monday thru Fridays for lunch and dinners.
We are very lucky to have a good Thai Restaurant in Cortez. It is my favorite! The owners and cooks are from Thailand and they know how to cook and present a good meal. Don't let the outside of the building fool you, once inside the atmosphere and wait staff is great and the food is scrumptious and flavorful. Prices are reasonable and they have a full sushi bar and drink menu.
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Thai Cortez & Sushi
1430 E Main StWe are very lucky to have a good Thai Restaurant in Cortez. It is my favorite! The owners and cooks are from Thailand and they know how to cook and present a good meal. Don't let the outside of the building fool you, once inside the atmosphere and wait staff is great and the food is scrumptious and flavorful. Prices are reasonable and they have a full sushi bar and drink menu.
Located in the heart of town this is another locals favorite. Although I don't eat raw fish, I love the cooked salmon on the menu and the Chicken Verde Roll (fully cooked), but my friends that eat sushi say it's one of the best around. The fish is flown in daily and very fresh. Besides sushi, they have an extended menu and a full bar and it's a really nice cozy atmosphere.
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Stonefish Sushi & More
16 W Main StLocated in the heart of town this is another locals favorite. Although I don't eat raw fish, I love the cooked salmon on the menu and the Chicken Verde Roll (fully cooked), but my friends that eat sushi say it's one of the best around. The fish is flown in daily and very fresh. Besides sushi, they have an extended menu and a full bar and it's a really nice cozy atmosphere.
Dio, the owner is a master chef from Mexico and has been here many years. His food is authentic in every way and made fresh daily to order. You get a nice helping of good homemade mexican food with homemade chips and salsa. The margaritas are potent and really go down to easy. I tend to have one to many because of that. (and because I'm a lightweight) For Mexican food it's a great place and closer.
Mi Mexico
801e East Main StreetDio, the owner is a master chef from Mexico and has been here many years. His food is authentic in every way and made fresh daily to order. You get a nice helping of good homemade mexican food with homemade chips and salsa. The margaritas are potent and really go down to easy. I tend to have one to many because of that. (and because I'm a lightweight) For Mexican food it's a great place and closer.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is fun if you are eating outside on the patio. The inside is a bit small but cozy. The patio has lots of room with heaters and is covered. The food is also good, the drinks are stronger at Mi Mexico and I think the food is better at Mi Mexico but regardless which Mexican Restaurant you choose you will enjoy them both. The original owner of La Casita opened up Mi Mexico 4 years ago as he wanted a bigger space. Try both and compare!
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La Casita de Cortez
332 E Main StThe atmosphere at this restaurant is fun if you are eating outside on the patio. The inside is a bit small but cozy. The patio has lots of room with heaters and is covered. The food is also good, the drinks are stronger at Mi Mexico and I think the food is better at Mi Mexico but regardless which Mexican Restaurant you choose you will enjoy them both. The original owner of La Casita opened up Mi Mexico 4 years ago as he wanted a bigger space. Try both and compare!
Lounging Lizard is a fun local restaurant with a full bar and great comfort food. They have plenty to choose from on the menu with 2 adjoining restaurants connected to each other and different menus. It's a combo sports bar and restaurant and the atmosphere is nice inside and the food is really good all around.
We are lucky to have so many good choices in Cortez!
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Loungin' Lizard
2 W Main StLounging Lizard is a fun local restaurant with a full bar and great comfort food. They have plenty to choose from on the menu with 2 adjoining restaurants connected to each other and different menus. It's a combo sports bar and restaurant and the atmosphere is nice inside and the food is really good all around.
We are lucky to have so many good choices in Cortez!