Planning a Mesa Verde Country® vacation? Read what others are saying about us!
There is so much to write about in Mesa Verde Country®. Whether in print or through electronic media, our archaeological wonders, special events, culture, history, and heritage have captured the attention of journalists across the country and around the world.
Please enjoy a sampling of what journalists have written following their visits to Mesa Verde Country®.
ARTICLES
Ein lautes, schrilles Pfeifen, kurz danach ein dumpfes Fauchen; Die "Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad" setzt sich langsam in Bewegung. Wenig später rattert die nostalgische Dampflok mit ihren gelben Waggons durch eine atemberaubende Landschaft. Auf schmalen Brücken überquert der Zug einige Male den Animas River. Die in den Fels gehauene Trasse führt haarsharf vorbei an schwindelerregenden Abgruenden.
Translation: A loud, shrill whistle, followed shortly by a dull roar, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is slowly moving. A little later, the nostalgic steam train rattles its yellow cars through a spectacular landscape. Over narrow bridges the train crosses the Animas River a few times, as the railway carved into the rock narrowly leads past dizzying abysses.
Mehr als 50 Gipfel, die über 4200 Meter in den Himmel ragen, machen diesen Bundesstaat zum höchstgelegenen der USA. Zahlreiche Nationalparks laden zu aufregenden Natur-Erlebnissen ein, Eisenbahn-Fans gehen in fauchenden, alten Dampfzügen auf Achse. Und über allem liegt stets ein Hauch von Wildwest.
Translation: More than 50 peaks rising over 4200 meters into the sky make this state the highest in the USA. There are many National Parks for an exciting Nature experience, and railroad fans ride roaring, old trains on the move. And over all, there is always a touch of the Wild West.
Einzigartiges Kulturdenkmal: der "Klippenpalast" von Mesa Verde. In den Hoehlenwohnungen lebten einst Anasazi-Indianer.
Translation: Unique cultural heritage: the "Cliff Palace" of Mesa Verde. In the cave dwellings once lived Anasazi Indians.
From: Freizeit Spass, 2010 By: Franz Mark Frei
...To the south, the ancient Indian cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park are the main attraction. They're on a high mesa outside the town of Cortez. You can see the dwellings from a network of roads and viewpoints, but we took several guided tours that involved climbing ladders. Not for everyone.
Either way, Mesa Verde was memorable, America's first World Heritage Site, a step back in time. (For park information click here.) We spent the night at the 150-room Far View Lodge, 15 miles into the park. Sitting on our balcony watching the moon rise was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
From: Santa Barbara Independent, July 16, 2010 By: Barney Brantingham
Southwest Colorado is a place for quiet contemplation and exploration, for listening to the wind whistle through the arroyos, watching ravens soar through towering red-rock canyons set against a striking blue sky and searching for signs of the region's fascinating ancient inhabitants.
This area is known as the Four Corners, where the borders of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah intersect. In Colorado, this region is nome to Mesa Verde National Park, a World Heritage Site and among the country's grandest archeological sites, in addition to Hovenweep and Canyons of the Ancients national monuments — all of which share insight into the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here long ago. In fact, visitors can still examine many tangible traces — dwellings, pottery, petroglyphs, hunting and cooking tools — of the people who called this area home before the first European stepped onto this continent.
Intrigued by such stories and motivated by the chance to view centuries-old structures and explore those connections, I embarked upon the Trail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic Byway, a 114-mile drive through southwestern Colorado that connects the major archeological sites and creates a fascinating tour that can be undertaken in only a few days. (Visit coloradobyways.org to learn about Colorado's 24 other byways.)
From: 2010 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide By: Eric Lindberg
"If you have a fear of heights and tight spaces, this tour's not for you," said Park Ranger Paula Wolfe, preparing 25 adults and children for an hour climb up and down cliffside ladders, squeezing between rocks, and crawling through crevices "as wide as my hat." The destination is Balcony House, a cliff dwelling inhabited by nimble pre-Columbian Indians between 1180 to 1270 A.D.
From: The Examiner, June 27, 2010 By: Robin Tierney, Special to The Examiner
Celebrate Native American culture at the 10th Annual Mesa Verde Country® Indian Arts & Culture Festival at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Visitors will enjoy displays of artwork, handmade rugs, dance demonstrations, and more! You can also take tours of archaeological sites. The festival will run from May 28 - June 6.
From: Byways.org, May 27, 2010 By: America's Byways® Press Room
Tucked away in the Four Corners region of southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park showcases the ancient history and culture of the Anasazi people, ancestors of the Pueblo. The park contains more than 4,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. Visitors to Mesa Verde and the surrounding countrysidewill find accommodations to suit most budgets and preferences.
From: USAToday.com Travel Tips, 2010 By: Don Amerman, Demand Media
While exploring the geographical features of the Rockies—the snow-capped peaks, barren mesas, and canyons ribbed by water and time—it's easy to miss the subtler language of their human history; centuries before Columbus's arrival, Native American cultures thrived in these mountains. Like the Inca's lost city of Machu Picchu or Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple, southwestern Colorado's Mesa Verde, 35 miles west of Durango, is an archaeological marvel seemingly born out of the wilderness that surrounds it. Clinging to the sandstone cliffs of a vast mesa 1,600 feet above the surrounding desert valley, the captivating remnants of hollowed stone houses and towers are among the region's most spectacular sites.
From: Away.com, 2010
Visit Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute Tribal Park this weekend for the annual Ute Mountain-Mesa Verde Birding Festival. You can view a wide variety of species, possibly including Western Tanager, Lucy's Warbler, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhee, Wild Turkey, Roadrunner, Clark's Nutcracker, and more! In addition to birdwatching, guests can attend an art show, workshops, and listen to speakers including Keynote Speaker Brian "Fox" Ellis. The festival runs from May 12-16.
From: Byways.org, May 11, 2010 By: America's Byways® Press Room
One of the most popular and fascinating features of the southwest's Canyon Country is the remains of the prehistoric Anasazi Indian civilization. The Anasazi thrived in the region for nearly 1,000 years leaving evidence of their extraordinary masonry talents everywhere. The zenith of the Anasazi culture was reached in Chaco Canyon during the years 900-1100 A.D. The gigantic pueblos of Chaco rival the other great works of the ancient world, such as those of the Mayas and Incas. By the year 1300, the Anasazi had abandoned the entire region, generally moving into the Rio Grande Valley of northern New Mexico. This departure has long been one of the southwest's great mysteries and has been the subject of intense research and speculation for generations.
From: The American West Travelogue, 2010 By: Joseph A. Sprince
If you're not participating in the Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown, testing your knowledge at the Harry Potter Quiz or watching the Colorado Firefighter Calendar Judging Contest, there are some big races this weekend. Colorado's fastest will have the opportunity to earn some money this weekend, here is a breakdown of this weekends racing action:
Pueblo to Pueblo Run 11M/10k/2M The Pueblo to Pueblo race starts in Cortez, as runners are bused to the race start. The top three overall male and female winners in each race will receive awards valued from $30.00 to $100.00.
From: RunColo.com, April 21, 2010 By: RunColo
Steeped in ritual, history and cultural importance, the Mesa Verde area will again host the annual Mesa Verde Country® Indian Arts & Culture Festival. Now in its tenth year, the festival features traditional American Indian dances, cultural discussions and a variety of exhibits relating to Ancestral Puebloans and modern-day American Indian tribes.
From: Colorado.com, April 2010
Wed, 5/12/2010 - Sun, 5/16/2010... Spring migrants and early nesters attract birdwatchers from across the nation to the Ute Mountain-Mesa Verde Birding Festival. Located in the Archaeological Center of America, many of the birding field trips visit spectacular archaeological areas such as Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute Tribal Park.
From: Birder's World Magazine, 2010
Southwestern Colorado's Mesa Verde Country is home to a fascinating variety of raptors, seasonal migrants and year-round residents. Each year the region's natural diversity is celebrated during the Ute Mountain — Mesa Verde Birding Festival. This year's festival will run from May 12 to May 16.
The festival opens with a reception for participants and a free Beginning Birding lecture. Registration also begins Wednesday afternoon and is available throughout the festival.
From: Travel Age West, March 16, 2010 By: Janeen Christoff
... Ute Mountain/Mesa Verde Birding FestivalMay 13 to 16 (Cortez)
970-565-1151; utemountainmesaverde birdingfestival.com
This fundraiser benefits the Cortez Cultural Center, so have your wallet handy. Individual birding tours start at $15 and go up to $65 for a Ute Mountain Tribal Park horseback tour of birdwatching sites. Festival events begin at 6 a.m., and continue until 8 or 9 p.m.
From: The Denver Post, March 14, 2010 By: Claire Martin, The Denver Post
The Trail of the Ancients in Colorado and Utah takes you back to a time long before the United States existed, long before Spaniards came north from what is today Central America. Amazingly, some regions of the Colorado Plateau remain today much as they must have been in the 13th and 14th Centuries. Arid and mostly uninhabited, the terrain along the byway conceals secrets of bygone populations, vibrant people who came and went like snow in warm spring sunshine or tumbleweeds at the front of a desert storm. The byway travels through some of our country's most beautiful yet austere country, and it lends itself to contemplation and rejuvenation as well as recreational adventures.
From: Byways.org, 2010 By: America's Byways® Press Room
Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Colorado's oldest national park. It is located approximately 35 miles west of Durango and is home to a maze of canyons, cliff dwellings and canals. Visitors who want to learn more about the ancient people who once lived in the area and see archaeological artifacts can explore several interesting attractions near Mesa Verde National Park.
From: USAToday.com Travel Tips, March 2010 By: Sabah Karimi, Demand Media
April Pueblo-to-Pueblo Run provides spring training on National Scenic Byway
Cortez, Colo. - For many, running in Colorado means high altitudes, thin air and legendary races like the Leadville 100, Imogene Pass Run and Pikes Peak Marathon. But for runners seeking challenge and adventure - minus the 10,000-foot-plus elevation - southwest Colorado's Pueblo-to-Pueblo Run series offers the chance to run amid historical Native American lands, on a national scenic byway.
From: Colorado Runner, February 8, 2010 By: Anonymous
Mesa Verde Country just launched 48 local producers with the help of a $50,000 Department of Agriculture grant.
Mesa Verde Country Director Lynn Dyer said the new page of the group's Web site went live Dec. 17.
"It will be on the agricultural adventures part of the Mesa Verde Web site," Dyer said. "We're trying hard to make that tie between the past and the present."
From: The Durango Herald, December 29, 2009 By: Hope Nealson, Cortez Journal
Mesa Verde Country is a tapestry of ancient history and an area you don't want to miss. Not only will you travel back in time, but also your visit will reward your senses in every way. Located in southwest Colorado, near the Four Corners region, Mesa Verde Country includes Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway and the Cortez Cultural Center.
From: RVLife.com, October 31, 2009 By: Rick Stedman
Experience the sensation of flying miles above Mancos Valley, Colorado's picturesque landscape this weekend, September 25-27, at the Mancos Valley-Mesa Verde Balloon and Art Festival on the San Juan Skyway. In addition to mass balloon ascensions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plenty of activities will take place on the ground below, including live music, food, and an antique car and truck show.
From: Byways.org, September 25, 2009 By: America's Byways® Press Room
The Mancos Valley Mesa Verde Country Balloon and Art Festival kicks off at 7 p.m. The event runs through Sept. 27 and includes balloon rides, a chili cook-off, concerts, dance, a wine festival, antique car show and more. 533-1177 for details.
From: The Durango Telegraph, September 24, 2009
If you are lucky enough to be in Mesa Verde country in southwestern Colorado this weekend, you will have a chance to sample some of the finest high altitude wines made in the US from up-and-coming Colorado winemakers. Just as good, you will be able to take in scenery and culture that will knock you over at every turn.
From: Examiner.com National, August 20, 2009 By: Abby Wine
It's not too late to plan an unforgettable, affordable summer vacation. Head to Colorado, where families can enjoy activities in the air, on the water, on horseback, on foot and more, all for a price that won't break the bank. Below is a sampling of cool Colorado summer vacation packages. For more deals, visit the Colorado Tourism Office Hot Deals website, which provides travelers with easy access to 400-plus vacation deals from across the state.
From: In The Know Traveler, August 20, 2009 By: ITKT Media Partners
Staged against the backdrop of the Mesa Verde, the Mesa Verde Country Food, Wine and Art Festival will be held from August 21-23, along the Trail of the Ancients.
Come enjoy the festival, which will showcase many talented artists who call the area home and are inspired by the scenic beauty and cultural diversity found in the Mesa Verde area. The festival will also feature food from local and regional producers, as well as a variety of locally-made wines. Musical entertainment will be provided, serving as a perfect backdrop for the event.
From: Byways.org, August 18, 2009 By: America's Byways® Press Room
When it comes to summer vacations, families often seek out historical sites. From museums to battlefields to colonial homes, reenacting history combines fun, relaxation and a healthy dose of learning what it was like "in the old days."
In the United States, most of those trips look back 200 or 300 years. But there is one spot in the country where it's possible to get a look at what life was like in the really old days — 1,000 years ago — with a health, active, off-the-beaten path adventure.
From: HealthNewsDigest.com, July 24, 2009 By: Lynn Dyer
There's the packing, the anxiety of whether you'll make new friends and ensuring that the mortgage and other bills get paid while you are away.
When the weather heats up, kids aren't the only ones trudging off to enjoy the lazy, hazy days of summer with their peers.
From: CNN.com/travel, May 29, 2009 By: Lisa Respers France
Mesa Verde Country Food, Wine and Art Festival in Cortez, Aug. 28 to 30. Local artists and vintners gather for tastings and winemaker dinners. For more details, call 1-800-530-2998 or visit mesaverdecountry.com.
From: The Gazette, Colorado Springs, May 26, 2009 By: Teresa Farney
I'm adding a new feature on Where To Go — Travel USA. Throughout the summer I plan to post a few special events, festivals or happenings around the state of Colorado for the upcoming weekend.
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off with events all around the state — art, sports, outdoor recreation, history and beer gain attention this weekend. Get out and have some fun.
From: Where To Go - Travel, USA, May 22, 2009 By: Nancy Yackel
...This year's theme is "Celebrate Our Song." Come gain an understanding of the heritage that many community members share with the Ancestral Puebloan people. Learn how explorers, ranchers, miners, farmers, cowboys, outlaws, and railroad men have contributed to the rich cultural heritage of the area. Ultimately, you'll acquire a deeper understanding of the archaeology, Native American culture, and Old West history that have made this area a trading center and merging point for many cultures over the past 2,000 years.
From: Byways.org, May 21, 2009 By: America's Byways® Press Room
Remote, secluded and mysterious, a forbidding landscape. Many such phrases could be used to accurately describe Hovenweep National Monument, straddling a section of southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado.
However, you could easily add "uncrowded" to that list, too, as the park only receives about 27,000 visitors a year. That's an average of about 75 people a day, meaning solitude and serenity are plentiful here, though rare in most national park settings today.
From: Deseret News, May 10, 2009 By: Lynn Arave
May 14-17 - Cortez, Ute Mountain-Mesa Verde Birding Festival; sponsored by Cortez Cultural Center, tours of Ute Mountain Tribal Park, McElmo Canyon, Bradfield Bridge, Mesa Verde National Park, Thomas Preserve, Denny Lake; workshops, lectures, dinner, registration $35 (includes reception, lectures and dinner, 1-970-565-1151, utemountainmesaverdebirdingfestival.com.
From: The Gazette, Colorado Springs, May 9, 2009 By: Joy Harper
The award-winning Ninth Annual Mesa Verde Country® Indian Arts and Culture Festival scheduled from May 22 through May 31, 2009, celebrates the archaeology and Native American culture of the Southwest. Festival highlights include a world-class juried Indian Art Market, Indian Dances, Navajo rug auction, special archaeological tours and exhibits, special performances of the outdoor drama: Black Shawl, and a Hopi/Dine Roots Reggae Concert by Casper Lomayesva.
From: In The Know Traveler, May 5, 2009 By: ITKT Media Partners
Rocky Mountain High. At Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park, there's a two-night Indian Arts and Culture Festival package at the Far View Lodge, which includes a half-day ranger-guided tour of Cliff Palace and Chapin Mesa sites.
From: Time.com, April 20, 2009 By: DEIRDRE VAN DYK
Mesa Verde National Park's ancient cliff dwellings first ignited my imagination at age five. Stories about ceremonial, subterranean, circular rooms called kivas inspired my zeal for archaeology, especially of the Anasazi (Ancestral Pueblo) people, who thrived in the Southwest's canyons and plateaus from about 600 to 1300 A.D. To me, the park was the coolest place in the world.
Four decades later, Mesa Verde still enchants me, but I've expanded my horizons to include other nearby archaeological treasures along the 114-mile Trail of the Ancients, a National Scenic Byway that runs through Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The Colorado section of the route boasts two National Monuments—Canyons of the Ancients and Hovenweep—and the Ute Mountain Tribal Park.
Less visited than Mesa Verde, these destinations are like time machines. Despite the modern roads, my husband Ken and I easily envision this arid land during the 13th century. We also experience centuries-old challenges: dry, hot weather and rugged terrain...
From: EnCompass, March/April 2009 By: Laurel Kallenbach
Looking for a Colorado getaway that combines romance, spectacular scenery, and amazing history? Check out the Mesa Magic Package at Mesa Verde National Park (named "The Number One Historic Monument in the World" by Conde Nast Traveler and "One of 50 Places to Visit in a Lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler.) The park preserves the ruins and other works and relics of ancient Pueblo peoples and is a World Cultural Heritage Site.
From: Lovetripper.com, March 11, 2009 By: Paris and John
From the observation station at MesaVerde National Park in the state of Colorado, the first sighting of multi-storied cliff dwellings built by the ancient Puebloans is almost overwhelming. Puebloans, ancestral peoples of the Hopis, Zunis, Utes, and Navajos, lived in the area from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300, predating the arrival of Europeans on to the continent by more than 800 years.
From: Romar Traveler, 2009 By: Jennifer J. Beaumont
When you think of Colorado, images of soaring purple mountains majesty and ribbons of champagne powder-dusted ski hills likely pop to mind. While this is quintessential Colorado, there are other aspects to the Centennial State that just might surprise you. Here are a few of Colorado's unique attractions and events that are worth checking out during your next visit.
From: Travel Video News, July 31, 2008
