Cortez, Colorado

Cortez is one of the largest towns in Southwest Colorado, secluded near the Four Corners. The historic downtown section is several blocks, all lined with nice shops and restaurants.

Located in Montezuma County, Cortez is the county’s largest city and county seat. It had a population of 8,482 in 2010. It resides at an elevation of 6,191 feet.

Main Attractions

Archaeological Sites – The southwest region of Colorado was once settled by the Anasazi or Ancient Puebloan people. Ancient ruins are located all around, many have been excavated are open to visitors. Find pit houses, cliff dwellings, kivas, and other signs of civilization. Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, and Canyons of the Ancients are all nearby.

Read about the top things to do near Cortez.

Recreation

Cortez CO City Hall — Cortez City Hall. Photo: Jeffrey Beall

Camping:

Mancos State Park offers 32 sites; no electrical hook-ups.
Mesa Verde has a whopping 267 campsites, many with
Hovenweep has a very nice 31-site campground with breathtaking views.
Primitive car camping is permitted on many BLM roads in the Canyons of the Ancients.
McPhee Recreation Area has a campground.
Read about the camping near Cortez and Mesa Verde.

Fishing:

Nearby by Mancos State Park offers a large lake open to fishing and boating year-round.
McPhee Reservoir to the north near Dolores has boating and fishing. It’s the second largest lake in Colorado behind Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Totten Lake is a small reservoir just east of downtown.

Hiking:

Great hiking is never far off in the Southwest. Many archaeological sites offer well-maintained trails and a chance to see historic sights.
Read about the best hiking trails near Cortez.

Accommodations

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Hotels and lodging:

Far View Lodge – Stay southeast of town inside Mesa Verde National Park. It lies 15 miles south of the park’s entrance, granting unmatched convenience for experiencing the park round the clock.
Read about the best hotels in Cortez.

Downtown has wide streets.