Mesa Verde in Colorado is not only a national park but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park’s famous Puebloan cliff dwellings is something you don’t want to miss out on. But where to stay near Mesa Verde National Park for the best experience?
It’s very convenient to stay at the Mesa Verde lodging within the park or in the neighboring towns Cortez and Mancos. Further away, Durango is another option for where to stay when visiting Mesa Verde National Park.
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Where to stay by area
- In Mesa Verde NP – Best for heart-of-the-action access.
- Cortez – Best for a convenient base with broader hotel choices.
- Mancos – Best for a small-town feel close to the park.
- Durango – Best for a lively college town and vibrant dining.
Mesa Verde National Park
A convenient option for where to stay when visiting Mesa Verde National Park is to base yourself inside the Colorado park. It’s possible to do so at Far View Lodge.
This place to stay in Mesa Verde National Park is open seasonally during the warmer months of the year. It’s the only accommodation option available inside the park.
When you stay at Far View Lodge, you begin and end your days in the very heart of Mesa Verde National Park. As you’re already in the park, the driving time during your stay is minimized. Based here, you can book the first or last guided Mesa Verde tour of the day and get there with ease.
But have in mind that the rooms at Far View Lodge book up early in advance. The exclusive location inside the park makes it a popular pick. So if you want to stay in Mesa Verde National Park, make your reservation as early as possible.
- Distance: 0 mi
- Driving time: 0 min
- Stay within Mesa Verde NP for: Best access.
In-park Mesa Verde lodging
Far View Lodge
At Far View Lodge, you get the best possible location inside Mesa Verde National Park. Sure, this place to stay doesn’t offer luxurious amenities. However, it’s the only lodging within the park.
Cortez
Another alternative for where to stay when visiting Mesa Verde National Park is the city of Cortez. The Colorado city is located northwest of Mesa Verde on US 160.
To get from Cortez to the park entrance is just a short 10-mile (16 km) drive. So it’s very easy to get from Cortez to Mesa Verde.
Still have in mind that you need to drive in the park as well. From the entrance point to the southern parts of the park, it’s roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
But in Cortez, there are plenty of great hotels and restaurants, making your stay easy and enjoyable. Many of the big hotel chains offer Mesa Verde lodging in Cortez.
- Distance: 10 mi / 16 km
- Driving time: ≈ 15 min
- Pick Cortez for: A bigger town.
Best hotels in Cortez
Holiday Inn Mesa Verde
Holiday Inn in Cortez delivers the whole package. From its location in eastern Cortez, you effortlessly reach the park. Additionally, this place to stay near Mesa Verde National Park offers great amenities, including a swimming pool and hot tub, for some quality time off the park.
Hampton Inn Mesa Verde
Another very good Mesa Verde lodging option in eastern Cortez is the Hampton Inn. In addition to that it puts you only minutes from national park entrance, Hampton Inn also offers appreciated facilities, including a pool and jacuzzi.
Retro Inn at Mesa Verde
Low-key Retro Inn is a unique Mesa Verde place to stay with an appealing retro look and feel. If you want something else than the big hotel chains, you don’t need to look further.
Mancos
Mancos is an option for where to stay near Mesa Verde National Park that is located even closer than Cortez. This is a tiny Colorado town northeast of the national park on US 160.
From Mancos to the park adventure, it’s as little as 8 miles (13 km). But once again, have in mind that it’s 1.5 hours’ drive from the entrance point to the southern parts of the park.
Due to its smaller size, Mancos has a more limited selection of lodging and dining. So for a wider selection, you need to look towards Cortez or Durango.
- Distance: 8 mi / 13 km
- Driving time: ≈ 10 min
- Pick Mancos for: A smaller town.
Durango
Durango is located east of Mesa Verde and much further away than the other options for where to stay near Mesa Verde National Park. Still, Durango is a popular option for where to stay when visiting the Mesa Verde area.
From Durango, it’s 36 miles (58 km) to Mesa Verde National Park. Added to the driving time in the park, the miles behind the wheel quickly add up.
But Durango is still a popular option for where to stay when visiting Mesa Verde. Durango is a college town with a refreshing vibe that offers something else than the other Mesa Verde towns.
In the Colorado college town, you can enjoy the famous Durango and Silverton Railroad and Museum. It lets you embark on a historic and unforgettable journey up into the Rocky Mountains.
That Durango is a bigger city than both Cortez and Mancos also means more hotels and dining options. So in Durango, you have all you need for a comfortable time exploring the Colorado region.
- Distance: 36 mi / 58 km
- Driving time: ≈ 50 min
- Pick Durango for: A fun vibe.
You might wonder…
Far View Lodge is the only lodging within Mesa Verde National Park. But just a short drive from the park, Mancos and Cortez are gateway cities with much more accommodation to choose from.
Mancos and Cortez are the cities closest to Mesa Verde National Park. It’s 8 miles (13 km) from Mancos and 10 miles (16 km) from Cortez to the Mesa Verde park entrance.
At Far View Lodge you stay right where the adventure begins. It’s the only lodging option inside Mesa Verde National Park. Although it’s not a luxury place to stay, its location can’t be beaten.
From Durango it’s 36 miles (58 km) to Mesa Verde National Park. To drive from Durango to the Mesa Verde entrance takes just under an hour.
One full day in Mesa Verde National Park allows for a guided tour and exploring the most famous viewpoints. Add more time for a deeper experience and to hike the trails in the park further.
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