Cortez / Mesa Verde KOA

The Great Outdoors

Montezuma County is blessed with some heavenly parks and natural areas, so choosing where to go will be your first mission. Not far from Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA, Mancos State Park is one option worth considering. With numerous historical sites dating back millennia and picturesque beaches along a tranquil lake, there is no wonder why so many people love this hidden gem in the Rockies.Lone Mesa State Park is a much larger state park that you can visit with your motorhome rental, just north of Cortez. This rugged park sits atop a 9,000-foot-high mesa, with mesmerizing landscapes and some of the region's best hunting grounds. Camping in the park is truly a treat, with some of the darkest skies perfect for night time star gazing.The two-million acre San Juan National Forest is close by when you rent an RV near Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA, home to several wilderness areas, thousands of miles of trails, dozens of campgrounds, and amazing recreation areas like McPhee Recreation Area on the shores of the McPhee Reservoir. You can camp, swim, fish, boat, bike, and more when you bring your RV rental anywhere in this sprawling forest blanketing the San Juan Mountains.Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park are the two most popular attractions in this particular corner of Colorado, with over 6,000 archeological sites belonging to the incredible Pueblo native people who called the region home for thousands of years. Breathtaking historical sites, structures, and artifacts can be seen scattered throughout the area, including the Long House and the Cliff Palace, two of the best-preserved structures in the country. These elaborate villages are carved into the sides of cliff sides and mountains, chiseled from stone and amazing to view or walk through. When you visit, you can stay the night at one of its campgrounds, tour the museum, or grab some refreshments and snacks at the on-site cafe.

Exploring the City

If you need a break from all the nature in the area, you can take a breather and visit Cortez or Durango for some sightseeing, shopping, or dining. Cortez is a welcoming place, with a Colorado Visitor Center where you can pick up maps, brochures, and information about the area.Sunflower Theatre is a pleasant space in the historic downtown area of Cortez, where you can catch concerts, lectures, comedy shows, plays, and more. This small, intimate theater space is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy art at its finest when you have a rental camper at Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA.The Cortez Cultural Center is yet another brilliant place to stop by when you have the time, a unique and inspiring place to learn about the Pueblo people and the native cultures of the west. You can see native artwork, learn about the culture, read about the history, see Native American dance ceremonies, and even buy handmade souvenirs for friends and family back home.Don’t forget that you can drive your RV rental down to the Four Corners Monument where four states meet, to see an amazing place in the desert. You can stand in the center of the four states, straddling the line and occupying Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona at the same time.