Cortez, Colorado is a hidden gem for tourists seeking to experience the beauty and history of the Southwest Colorado.
Situated in the heart of the Four Corners region, this charming town is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage.
From hiking trails and hot springs to museums and ancient ruins, Cortez has plenty of attractions for travelers, outdoor adventurers, and explorers.
Fun fact – Osprey Packs, the manufacturer of hiking backpacks, is headquartered in Cortez!
Visit the nearby Mesa Verde National Park to explore the fascinating cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans…
…. or head to the town’s Main Street for some shopping and dining in historic downtown Cortez.
Here is an ultimate guide to exploring the best attractions in Cortez, Colorado.
Best Things to do in Cortez, Colorado
Cortez, CO is a desert oasis – perfect base for exploring Mesa Verde and the neighboring region.
It is located in Montezuma County and named for Hernan Cortes, the Spanish Conquistador who defeated the Aztecs in Mexico.
The Ancient Puebloan culture once thrived in this region and can still be seen at sites like the Anasazi Heritage Center.
Outdoor enthusiasts can hike through the sprawling canyons and see the cliffside dwellings at Mesa Verde.
Cortez is a fantastic base for exploring the major attractions in the area.
Here are the best things to do in Cortez, Colorado on your next Mesa Verde National Park road trip.
Also Read: Southern Colorado Road Trip Itinerary
Begin your trip at the Cortez Colorado Welcome Center
The Cortez Colorado Welcome Center is the perfect starting point for your adventures in the Southwest Colorado.
Staffed by friendly and knowledgeable locals, it provides maps, brochures, and advice to help you plan your activities in Cortez and the surrounding area.
Moreover, the Welcome Center itself houses intriguing exhibits on regional history and culture, providing a glimpse into the rich heritage of Cortez.
Don’t miss the small but well-designed gift shop that offers local crafts and souvenirs, making it an excellent spot to pick up a memento of your trip.
The Welcome Center also hosts community events throughout the year, ranging from local art exhibitions to cultural festivals, adding an extra layer of vibrancy to your visit.
Explore Cortez’s Historic Downtown
The town of Cortez is home to many historic buildings and charming shops that will make your visit memorable.
Start by exploring the town’s Main Street, which is lined with 19th-century buildings and unique stores selling everything from vintage clothing to antiques.
The Cortez Cultural Center and Museum is also located in downtown Cortez and offers educational exhibits on regional history, art, and culture.
You can also sample some delicious local cuisine at the restaurants along Main Street.
The Cortez Farmers’ Market, which operates every Thursday afternoon from May to October, is another great spot to sample regional flavors and pick up fresh produce and homemade goodies.
See a Native American dance at the Cortez Cultural Center
The Cortez Cultural Center is the area’s premier venue for celebrating and preserving local Native American culture.
Here, you can watch traditional dances performed by members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, an indigenous people who have lived in this region for centuries.
The center also houses a small museum with exhibits on Southwest Colorado’s history and artifacts from Native American tribes.
There is also a gift shop featuring handmade crafts and jewelry made by local artisans, making it the perfect place to pick up unique souvenirs of your trip.
The center hosts a variety of events throughout the year including native workshops, music concerts, and cultural festivals.
Watch a show at the Sunflower Theater
The Sunflower Theatre is the perfect place to catch a performance while in Cortez.
This local theater hosts live performances ranging from musicals and dramas to stand-up comedy and children’s shows.
The theater also features a variety of films throughout the year, allowing you to enjoy everything from classic movies to new releases.
See Native American art at Notah Dineh
Notah Dineh Trading Company and Museum is the place to go for authentic Native American art and jewelry.
The museum features a constantly-rotating exhibition of paintings, sculptures, quilts, pottery, and other works of art created by local artists.
In addition, you can purchase handmade items from the gift shop – everything from jewelry and dreamcatchers to moccasins and pottery.
Play a game at the Conquistador Golf Course
The Conquistador Golf Course is the perfect place to practice your swing.
This 18-hole course is surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Southwestern Colorado, creating a truly unique golfing experience.
In addition to having an enjoyable round of golf, you can also take in views of Mesa Verde and the nearby mountains while you play.
Go wine tasting and sampling in Cortez
Cortez is home to several great wineries.
One of the most unique wineries in the town is Yellow Car Country Wines.
The winery specializes in wine made from fruits grown in the sunny Cortez climate, such as peach, cherry, and raspberry.
Visitors can take a tour of the facility to learn about the winemaking process and try samples of their delicious wines.
Just a short drive from Cortez, Sutcliffe Vineyards offers the perfect blend of scenic beauty and refined tastes.
Located at the foot of the Sleeping Ute Mountain, this vineyard boasts 36 acres of vines, producing over 20 varieties of wines.
Another must-visit locale for wine enthusiasts is Guy Drew Vineyards.
Located in McElmo Canyon, this winery is renowned for its high-quality wines that beautifully encapsulate the unique terroir of the region.
See the historic McElmo Creek Flume No. 6
The McElmo Creek Flume No. 6 is a historic wooden flume that was built in 1921 to transport water from the mountains to irrigation ditches and fields throughout the valley.
Today, this unique structure stands as a reminder of southwest Colorado’s agricultural heritage and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can take a walk along the flume and marvel at its impressive engineering, or you can choose to explore the surrounding area and take in the stunning views of McElmo Creek Canyon.
Visit the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Located just outside of Cortez, the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is a world-renowned research facility that studies the Ancestral Puebloan people who lived in Southwest Colorado for centuries.
The center offers educational programs and guided tours where visitors can explore archaeological sites, attend lectures on regional history, or take part in hands-on activities such as pottery-making and basket-weaving.
The center also houses a museum that features artifacts and exhibits on the history and culture of the region’s ancient inhabitants, offering an interesting insight into Southwestern Colorado’s past.
Tour the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde is amongst the premier archaeological sites in America.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mesa Verde National Park offers a unique journey into the past.
Home to over 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, the park provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who occupied this region from AD 600 to 1300.
Also Read: 17 Best Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park
The most famous dwelling, Cliff Palace, impresses with its size and intricate architecture.
Ranger-guided tours provide detailed information about the structures and history.
Other popular dwellings include Square Tower House and Balcony House.
Apart from history, the park also offers stunning panoramas of forested canyons and high desert landscapes, perfect for photography.
Walking Mesa Verde’s many trails or simply observing wildlife adds to the remarkable experience Mesa Verde National Park provides.
See the pueblos at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Cortez is close to several national parks sites, the most underrated being Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
This area is home to a vast collection of Ancestral Puebloan ruins, including some of the most well-preserved sites in the region.
The monument covers a staggering 146,000 acres and contains more than 6,000 archaeological sites, making it one of the nation’s largest collections of ancient ruins.
Visitors can explore the trails, ponder mysterious petroglyphs, and admire some of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings in America.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is a must-see for anyone visiting Cortez.
Go stargazing at Hovenweep National Monument
At Hovenweep National Monument, you can explore the remains of six prehistoric villages of the Pueblo people.
The monument also offers some of the darkest skies in Colorado, making it an ideal spot for stargazing.
From the visitor center, you can view stars and planets with the naked eye or through a telescope.
Interpretive programs are available throughout the year to help visitors explore the night sky and learn about celestial phenomena.
Venture off the beaten path at Yucca House National Monument
Yucca House National Monument, located at the base of Sleeping Ute mountain in Montezuma Valley, is a less visited archeological site.
The monument contains a large ancient village of over 20 rooms, several kivas, and petroglyphs.
Ranger-led tours are available on the weekends, during which you can learn about the area’s history and explore its fascinating ruins.
The park also offers trails with stunning views of the valley below as well as abundant wildlife.
It is a great place to explore if you are looking for something off the beaten path.
Drive along the Dolores River Canyon in fall
Located just a few miles away from Cortez, the Dolores River Canyon is a stunning landscape best enjoyed in fall.
The canyon offers breathtaking views of golden aspens and crimson oaks, making for some of the most beautiful autumn foliage in Colorado.
The drive takes you through a winding road surrounded by the stunning red rock formations of the canyon, providing an unforgettable experience.
The Dolores River Canyon trail is a perfect spot for hiking and photography, with its stunning landscape and abundant wildlife.
The trail provides stunning views of the river as it winds through the canyon below.
Enjoy hiking at Hawkins Preserve
Hawkins Preserve is a unique outdoor area located just outside of Cortez.
The 500-acre protected land contains a diverse landscape ranging from alpine forests to high desert meadows, providing visitors with plenty of opportunities for exploration and discovery.
A variety of hiking trails are available, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape as well as abundant wildlife.
The preserve is also a great spot for bird watching and photography, with its diverse habitats and variety of birds.
There are several picnic tables located throughout the preserve, allowing visitors to take in the beautiful surroundings while enjoying lunch or a snack.
Attend the Cortez Birding festival
The Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival is a great time to visit Cortez.
The festival is held every spring and offers an opportunity to observe a variety of birds in the area.
During the festival, you can join guided field trips to explore local habitats or attend lectures and workshops on birding.
The festival also offers night hikes, bird walks, and photography workshops for those interested in learning more about birds and the environment.
Road trip San Juan Skyway
The San Juan Skyway is a picturesque stretch of highway located in Southwest Colorado.
From Cortez, travelers can take the scenic road trip through Silverton and Durango, exploring some of the most beautiful landscapes in America.
Along the way, you can visit historical sites such as Mesa Verde National Park and Chimney Rock Archaeological Area.
The road trip also offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as camping, mountain biking, and fishing.
The San Juan Skyway is the perfect way to experience the beauty of Southwest Colorado.
See the stunning formations in Monument Valley
Monument Valley, just a short drive from Cortez, offers some of the most stunning scenery in America.
The area is home to towering sandstone buttes and mesas that were formed millions of years ago by erosion.
Visitors can explore the valley on foot or take a guided jeep tour to get closer to these majestic formations.
Monument Valley is an ideal spot for photography, with its iconic sandstone formations and stunning sunsets.
It is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Cortez.
Visit the Lowry Ruins National Historic Landmark
Lowry Ruins National Historic Landmark is worth visiting while in Cortez.
The site contains the ruins of a large Ancestral Puebloan village that was inhabited from 600 to 1300 CE.
The visitors center at the ruins provides information on the history of the site and an audio tour of the ruins.
Ranger-led tours of Lowry Pueblo are also available, allowing you to explore the site in more detail.
Lowry Ruins National Historic Landmark is a great spot to learn about the ancient culture and history of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
Take a photo for the ‘Gram at Four Corners Monument
Four Corners Monument, located a few hours away from Cortez, is the only place in America where four states meet.
The monument offers a unique opportunity to be in two places at once and take some amazing photos for social media!
Four Corners Monument is a great spot to take in the sights and capture some impressive photos for your Instagram.
With its mild climate, stunning scenery, archeological sites, and rich history, Cortez is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best of the American Southwest.
What are your favorite things to do in Cortez, Colorado? Let us know below.