DFP Leaderboard: City

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Hawkins Preserve hiking near Cortez

Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center

Downtown Cortez

Stonefish Sushi & More in Cortez, CO

Hiking near Cortez in Hawkins Preserve

Mountain vistas near Cortez

Mesa Verde National Park cliff dwellings

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<h2>Things To Do in Cortez</h2>
<p>You'll find the community near the Sleeping Ute Mountain and the “green table” of Mesa Verde, just 10 minutes from the park. Learn about the cultural heritage of the region at the <a href="/cortez/cortez-cultural-center">Cortez Cultural Center</a>, and walk through it at the <a href="/history-museums/canyons-of-the-ancients-national-monument-visitor-center-and-museum-blm">Canyons of the Ancients National Monument</a> or <a href="/national-monuments/hovenweep-national-monument">Hovenweep National Monument</a>. After you visit these sites, you'll leave steeped in the history of the Ancestral Puebloan people, from the places they lived to the tools they used in everyday life.</p>
<p>In less ancient history, Cortez was on the Old Spanish Trail, which ran from northern New Mexico to California and southern Colorado in the late 1500s. Today’s trails are a little different, though — more tailored to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders than mules and merchants. Ride past artifacts on the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/SC%20Newspaper%202018.pdf">Sand Canyon Trails</a> in the Canyons of the Ancients or whoop it up across the <a href="https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/phils-world-228">Phil’s World trail network</a>. Cruise the accessible trails in the <a href="https://trails.colorado.gov/places/na~2281038">Carpenter Natural Area</a> and watch for wildlife and archaeological sites in <a href="https://trails.colorado.gov/places/na~2233978">Hawkins Preserve</a> as you hike, bike, rock climb or stargaze.</p>
<p>Given its proximity to the more than 600 acres of parks, trails and open spaces, as well as the depth of history, it’s particularly convenient that Cortez has so much to offer in the way of dining and lodging. The community near the <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/things-do-four-corners-monument-region-colorado">Four Corners</a> (where the borders of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet) has retained its connection to its earliest roots of agriculture, which shines through in the locally sourced dishes at unique local restaurants.</p>
<p>One of the best ways to take in as many of Cortez’s gems as possible is to follow the 114-mile <a href="/byways/trail-of-the-ancients">Trail of the Ancients scenic byway.</a> This route tours the natural wonders that surround Cortez and its numerous archaeological sites.</p>


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DFP 4-Pack: City

Cortez Accommodations

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Bayfield

Towaoc

Ignacio

Mesa

Delta

Powderhorn

Mesa Verde National Park

Collbran

Crawford

Paonia

Fruita

Montrose

De Beque

Hotchkiss

Cortez

Eckert

Dove Creek

Rico

Cedaredge

Ridgway

Mancos

Clifton

Lake City

Olathe

Vallecito Lake

Norwood

Somerset

Chimney Rock

Palisade

Placerville

Dolores

Hesperus

Orchard City

Naturita

Gateway

Uravan

Silverton

Pagosa Springs

Grand Junction

Ouray

Telluride/Mountain Village

Durango

Marble

Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte

Gunnison

Almont

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