Cortez Area Attractions

The Days Inn Cortez hotel is nestled in the country, near the Mesa Verda National Park. The area is home to the Anasazi Indians and located near several amazing natural attractions, complete with ancient Indian cliff dwellings and ruins. Revel in traditional American Indian exhibits and activities at the Crow Canyon Archeological Center. You can even try your hand at excavation!

The Mesa Verde National Park features over 4700 archeological sites, 600 of which are cliff dwellings. The park has several fascinating historic sites and ruins including Balcony House, Cliff Palace, Long House, Mesa Verde Reservoirs, Mug House, Oak Tree House, Spruce Tree House and Square Tower House.

Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc is Colorado’s first gambling establishment, complete with tribal Ute design and Southern hospitality. The casino brings patrons several exciting shows, events and promotions in addition to good food, a friendly atmosphere and of course, exciting gaming enjoyment. The establishment offers a range of family activities and children’s centers for younger patrons.

McPhee Reservoir is the second largest man-made water body in the state of Colorado. McPhee was the name of a company town which was founded by New Mexico Lumber Company. The town was home to over 1,000 employees of the company which produced more than half of the state’s lumber in 1927. Today, the town lies submerged under the water of the reservoir.

Hovenweep’s human habitation started more than 10,000 years ago. The Paleo-Indian hunter-gatherers came to Cajon Mesa in their nomadic travels. Between A.D.500 and A.D. 1300 the Puebloans built towers that are admirable examples of architecture from that era. The visitor center offers an interpretive program for visitors who want to access the cultural sites along the trail. A self-guided two-mile hiking trail around the Little Ruin Canyon is also available to the public.