A visit to Cortez gives you two vacations in one.  Where the Mountains Meet the Desert;
between the 14,000 foot San Juan Mountain peaks and the Canyons of the Ancients
National Monument, you are in for a natural experience like never before. 

 

The San Juan Forest lures us into its pine and aspen forests for cross country skiing,
hunting, and to pull rainbow trout and salmon from its lakes, rivers and streams. Hiking
trails crisscross the forests, and a completely handicapped trail offers access to
all the natural beauty of the forest.


   

In the winter you can enjoy two seasons in two days, taking in a day of skiing at
Telluride and following it with a hike through the canyons the next day. At night
just look up to see the best light show on earth. The clear air and dark skies
provide a backdrop for a million stars. 


   
Photo courtesy of www.colorado.com                                                     
                                          
Cortez is at the center of an ancient Indian civilization, and evidence of the number
of early dwellers can be seen everywhere; whether at Mesa Verde National Park,
the Anasazi Heritage Center, the Canyons of the Ancients, or Crow Canyon
Archeological Center, where you can actually help with an excavation.