What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Sand Canyon Trail
Follow the Sand Canyon Trail at Canyon of the Ancients to see the Sand Canyon Pueblo, which may have had up to 420 rooms. This pueblo was constructed about 200 years later than the Lowry Pueblo.
Length:6.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Prater Ridge Trail
This trail begins at Morefield Campground in Mesa Verde National Park. The trail climbs up Prater Ridge before following the circular ridge to return to the same spot where you will then hike back out.
Length: 7.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Knife Edge Trail
This trail at Mesa Verde National Park starts at the northwest corner of Morefield Campground. The route leads to the Montezuma Overlook, which provides outstanding views of the Montezuma Valley.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Petroglyph Point Trail
Check to see if the gate to this trail at Mesa Verde National Park is open. This trail provides stunning views of Spruce and Navajo Canyons. Then it passes a large petroglyph panel before you scramble up some steps and stroll through a forest to return to the starting point.
Length: 2.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
There are several reservoirs near Cortez that have outstanding fishing. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and bluegill in Totten Reservoir. Puett and Summit reservoirs are great places to catch smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and northern pike. Trout anglers will want to head to John Moore or Jackson Gulch Reservoir in the Mancos State Park.
Climbing
Hawkins Preserve in Cortez is a great place to go climbing. At the east end of this 122-acre preserve are several bouldering locations. In the central area is a great wall to climb. The western area features a couple of large boulders to climb.
Wildlife Viewing
There are numerous places at Mesa Verde National Park to see wildlife. Often, a flock of wild turkeys greets visitors along the main drive into the park. Early in the morning, you can often spot black bears, elk, marmots, and porcupines between Far View and the park's headquarters. Horses who have decided the grass is greener in the park often wander over from the nearby Ute Indian Reservation. Watch the antics of chickory squirrels with their long ears near the Spruce Tree House.
Picnicking
There are picnic tables near Lowry Pueblo. You may also want to consider picnicking near the Anasazi Heritage Center. This center is a great place to bring children as they can try weaving on a yarn loom, grinding corn, and studying pottery shards under a microscope.
