Countless opportunities for adventure await you in the Four Corners region of the U.S. The way you enjoy your visit will depend on the length of your stay, the season, and your interests. Assuming you have at least a week to explore, here are some tips to help you plan your trip.
The staff at Mesa Verde Motel lives in and near Mancos, Colorado, and we’re experts on the places to go and things to do in the Four Corners. So, not only can we provide comfortable accommodations for your visit, we can help guide you in your explorations.
The Four Corners Region
The Four Corners Monument marks the junction of Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, offering a unique opportunity to stand in four states at once. While it’s a great place for photos, there isn’t much else to do. However, you can buy crafts and artwork directly from Native artisans to serve as a memento of your visit.
Just an hour away, in Mancos, Colorado, you’ll discover the Mesa Verde Motel. Located along Highway 160 between Cortez and Durango, Mancos is the ideal spot for visiting nearby attractions. Our recently upgraded motel offers quirky, clean boutique accommodations at an affordable price. We look forward to welcoming you when you’re in the area.
The Four Corners region, part of the Colorado Plateau, offers a range of breathtaking geographic features, including deep canyons, snow-covered peaks, expansive deserts, and landscapes sculpted by wind and water, including the Colorado River. This area has drawn explorers, settlers, and visitors for thousands of years.
Colorado’s lush mountains are home to alpine forests and meadows filled with diverse flora and fauna, creating a stark contrast to the arid deserts in the region. Much of the Four Corners is inhabited by Native American nations and includes archaeological sites where Ancestral Puebloan peoples lived more than two thousand years ago.
Getting There
Major airports serving the Four Corners region include Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver. Many travelers begin their journey in Albuquerque. The most convenient route to the Four Corners Monument is to fly into Denver and then take a connecting flight to either Cortez or Durango, Colorado. From there, you can rent a car and drive approximately 44 miles to reach the monument.
Starting your trip at the Four Corners Monument allows you to explore numerous nearby attractions — such as the cities of Farmington, New Mexico, and Cortez, Durango, and Telluride, Colorado. Additionally, there are several sites within the National Park System that are perfect additions to a fun and memorable vacation and aren’t very far away.
We would be thrilled to welcome you to the Mesa Verde Motel when you’re in the area. Our boutique motel is conveniently located close to many exciting day trips, and our staff is here to help you make the most of your stay in the region.
There are numerous places to explore in the Four Corners region. Your starting point will depend on your desired destinations. For instance, if the Grand Canyon is a priority, beginning your trip in Las Vegas is ideal. However, if you’re eager to see arches and hoodoos, Salt Lake City is the best starting point for visiting the geological wonders of Utah.
Once you arrive, planning your trip to the Four Corners will require some effort. It’s impossible to see everything in just one week — or even two. Be sure to check maps, brochures, and online resources to prioritize the sites you want to visit.
What can you do in the Four Corners Region?
The Four Corners region is home to many national parks, monuments, and historic sites. Here at the Mesa Verde Motel, our staff is happy to chat with you about your choice of destinations while you’re with us. Travel guides and websites are full of suggestions, but we’ve compiled a handy list of things to do and places to visit while staying at the Mesa Verde Motel.
Nearby National parks, monuments, and historic sites
At the top of the list is a trip to Mesa Verde National Park. It’s a short seven-mile drive from our motel! Sign up for a tour to see how the Ancestral Puebloans lived in cliff dwellings. Then hike around the area, or drive the Mesa Top Loop Road.
If you have to pick one more famous archeological site, check out the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Museum, which is only 52 miles from Mancos.
Day Trips to national parks, monuments, and historic sites
Visit the otherworldly badlands of the Bisti/Da-Na-Zin Wilderness to see some of the most unusual geological features in the world, including lots of hoodoos. At 116 miles away, this trip will take a little more than two hours.
To see the real landscapes that served as backdrops for countless Westerns, take a drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, part of the Navajo Nation. Plan on driving about two and a half hours to get to this destination that’s 141 miles from Mancos.
Other things to do in the Four Corners region
If you enjoy gambling, concerts, and other entertainment, visit one of the many tribal-owned casinos in the area.
Outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or world-class fly fishing are just a short drive away.
If you visit during the winter months, be sure to bring your snow skis so you can enjoy the ski resorts in the area.
Many remote areas of the Four Corners region are Dark Sky Preserve locations where you can relax and look up at the night sky without interference from city lights.
Sign up for a train ride on one of the area railroads, like the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train. You’ll see views you could never see from a car!
The Mesa Verde Motel in Mancos, Colorado, is near many of these destinations. If you’re planning to visit the area, our fun motel has a lot to offer, including an on-site bar and lounge and a coffee shop. The Mesa Verde Motel is in downtown Mancos, close to restaurants and art galleries. Mancos is a scenic area that’s a bit off the beaten path but close to many activities. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you get the most out of your stay.
Getting around the area
A vehicle is a must-have for your exploration of the Four Corners region. Visitors from neighboring states can drive to the area, but if you arrive by air, you’ll need to rent a car. The type of vehicle you’ll need depends on your destinations and planned activities.
For family vacations, a minivan is a great choice. It offers plenty of space for supplies and ensures everyone’s comfort. If you plan to visit more remote locations, consider renting a vehicle with high clearance or even a 4-wheel drive, especially if you’ll be traveling on rugged roads.
Even if you’re exploring the Four Corners in your RV, you may want to take a break from camping during your adventure. Take a few days to enjoy Mancos and park your camper in our spacious parking lot.
Roads and Highways
The Interstate Highways that serve the area — I-40, I-70, and I-15 — skirt the edge of many attractions in the Four Corners region. To fully experience the area, you’ll need to exit these main roads and travel on state highways or even some rougher roads.
Take Chaco Culture National Historical Park, for instance. It can only be accessed via dirt roads, and you might want to avoid the drive if there has been heavy rain. Also, remember that the road goes through private tribal lands, so stay in your vehicle until you reach the park, just as you would on any private property.
This is true for many roads in the region. While some highways are large and easily accessible, others might be two-lane paved roads, and some, like the one mentioned, go through tribal lands or are rugged with few or no services for long stretches.
Mountainous areas often feature winding roads. Allow extra time for your trip if you’re taking one of these routes. Wherever you’re heading, make sure you have plenty of gasoline, water, and snacks before setting out.
Visit this site for tips on traveling in the Four Corners Region.
Visit the Four Corners Region in any season
Any season is a great time to visit. Each of the four seasons brings exciting new opportunities for fun activities and a literal change of scenery. The Four Corners area has variable weather conditions due to the diverse ecosystems. Desert areas can be hot in the summer, while the nearby Colorado mountains offer a cool retreat. In winter, you can enjoy snowboarding, cross-country skiing, or the peacefulness of the high desert. In spring, you can both ski and hike, taking advantage of the varying altitudes for different adventures in one week. And, of course, fall colors and pleasant temperatures are a must-see. Learn about what to expect from Four Corners weather.
We at the Mesa Verde Motel hope this inspires you to plan a trip to the Four Corners region of the American Southwest. A little planning will ensure you have the trip of a lifetime. We look forward to seeing you!