Hiking into the secretive backcountry of the Ute Mountain Tribal Park—with a knowledgeable Ute guide interpreting Ancestral Puebloan and Ute sites along the way—you’ll learn about the rich history of Southwestern Colorado’s land and people. This park is only open to the public through a unique program in which Ute guides navigate visitors into the wilderness that abuts Mesa Verde National Park’s southern boundary.
This land was home to Ancestral Puebloans 1,000 years ago. They built dwellings into the cliff faces of the area’s canyons, irrigated and farmed the land, and developed a highly sophisticated culture. They left the region around 1300 A.D. Visit the park today, and you'll learn from your Ute guides about Ute Indian history and see ochre-colored pictographs on the rocks that Utes created in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Half- or full-day tours as well as remote tours are available. The full-day tour is active, while the remote tour is very active, but can be most rewarding.
Did You Know?
Seven original bands made up the Ute Indians: Weeminuche, Mouache, Capote, Tabeguache or Uncompahgre, Parianuche or Grand River Utes, Yamparicas or White River and the Uintah Utes. The Ute Mountain Utes are of the Weeminuche band.
Good To Know Before You Go:
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe does not allow you to tour the area without the accompaniment of a trained Ute tribal member. You will need to contact the Ute Mountain Tribal Park in order to trek this mystical landscape.
ADA Accessibility:
The backcountry hikes are not accessible to disabled persons; however, by calling ahead, Ute tribal members will be happy to accommodate custom tours for those with special needs. The museum and visitor center are fully accessible.
Hours of Operation:
Half-day tours: 9 am–12:30 pm
Full-day tours: 9 am–4 pm
Reservations are required. Call ahead for additional tour times.
P.O. Box 109, Towaoc, Colorado 81334
www.utemountainute.com
(970) 565-3751 ext. 330
(800) 847-5485
This project is partially funded by a State Historical Fund grant award from the Colorado Historical Society.
Colorado's Historic Sites
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