ECHOES OF THE PAST:
MESA VERDE AND DURANGO
Canyon of the Ancients and arrival at Mesa Verde
Leave Moab and head toward southwestern Colorado via United States Highway 191 and United States Highway 160, adding Canyon of the Ancients National Monument as a meaningful archaeological stop along the way. This vast and often overlooked landscape contains the highest known density of archaeological sites in the United States, with thousands of ancient dwellings, roads, and ceremonial structures left behind by the Ancestral Pueblo people.
This quieter landscape offers an intimate connection to ancestral places before you arrive at Mesa Verde, where the story becomes monumental in scale. Overnight in the Cortez area and prepare for two full days of cliff dwelling country.
A well known local favorite in Cortez is The Farm Bistro, a welcoming restaurant known for farm to table cuisine, locally sourced ingredients, and a relaxed atmosphere that has made it popular with both travelers and locals.
Mesa Verde and the Petroglyph Point Trail
Mesa Verde National Park became the first national park in the United States created specifically to preserve human history when it was established in 1906 to protect the remarkable cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people more than 700 years ago.
Spend the day in Mesa Verde, where architecture and geology meet in dramatic fashion. Begin with the major viewpoints and cliff dwelling areas such as Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House before reserving your more challenging hike for the Petroglyph Point Trail. This rugged 3 mile loop includes uneven terrain and exposed sections before reaching a large petroglyph panel carved into the sandstone cliffs.
Choose the Balcony House experience for a more adventurous cliff dwelling tour that includes ladders and narrow passageways, creating a vivid sense of what it means to move through these ancient structures by hand and careful step.
Adventures in Durango
Durango grew rapidly in the 1880s when the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad built a line into the area to serve nearby silver mines. The historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad still operates today, carrying passengers through the San Juan Mountains along the same narrow gauge track first laid in 1882.
Visitors can also enjoy a walk or bike ride along the Animas River Trail, which follows the river through town and offers an easy way to experience the landscape that helped shape Durango’s railroad heritage.
For a classic Western dinner afterward, many travelers stop at Ore House, a longtime local favorite located in a historic downtown building known for its steaks and traditional Western atmosphere.
Overnight at the historic Strater Hotel in downtown Durango, dating back to 1887, and prepare for another day of adventure.
4×4 Experience: Colorado Trail at Kennebec Pass
For travelers seeking a more adventurous alpine experience, a visit to Kennebec Pass offers an opportunity to explore a spectacular stretch of the Colorado Trail in the La Plata Mountains west of Durango. At nearly 11,700 feet, the pass rewards visitors with sweeping mountain vistas, alpine meadows, rugged ridgelines, and access to some of Colorado’s most scenic high-country hiking. Visitors can enjoy a shorter out-and-back hike or venture farther along the trail toward Indian Trail Ridge.
Important: Reaching Kennebec Pass requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle for the final miles, and access is generally best from July through September.
Leave No Trace
Please respect the natural environment by following Leave No Trace principles.
