1 |
National Parks in the U.S.A |
Location
Mesa Verde National Park is located in south western Colorado midway between Cortez and Mancos off US 160. From the highway to the park headquarters is 21 miles and about 45 minutes. About 15 miles from the highway is the Far View Visitor Center and 4 miles from the highway is Morefield Campground. The road leading up to the park is a very scenic road but it also has sharp curves and steep grades so remember to only stop in designated areas.
Mesa Verde was established in 1906. It is one of the best known archaeological sites in the world and was originally established to preserve the amazing cliff dwellings that are nestled into the steep desert canyon walls near Cortez Colorado. This was the second National Park we visited (after Rocky Mountain National Park in the north of the state) on our first visit to the USA. There are many other very good Parks well within a haf-day’s drive. The Grand Canyon is within an easy day’s distance, as are Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Also not far away is Monument Valley - you’ve all seen it - but RV’s cannot access all of it.
 |
History
The park was originally inhabited by the nomadic Anasazi people. They built permanent homes and then as they prospered, members of the tribe would set out to start their own little tribes in the cliffs of surrounding areas. Mesa Verde was one of the chief locations they chose. The Anasazi culture flourished for hundreds of years until around 400 or 500 years ago when the Anasazi mysteriously disappeared. They left behind some of the most spectacular buildings ,some chiseled out rock walls and some clinging onto the cliffs.
They had a permanent supply of filtered rainwater seeping slowly from the fields above the dwellings. This led to a very humid microclimate which caused arthritis among similar types of disease to be widespread; this shows in the bones recovered downhill. All the rubbish, including the dead bodies, was just thrown over the edge of the living areas, falling far below... out of sight...etc.!
Local Area
Besides the amazing cliff dwellings, Mesa Verde is also home to some of the most beautiful scenic areas in the Southwest. The drive into the park allows you to view the 14,000 foot snow-capped mountain peaks to the north, or the Colorado Plateau and the high desert surrounding Mesa Verde. A visit to Mesa Verde National Park is one you won't soon forget.
| Wild Animals
|
 |
Tour at your own pace
Mesa Verde was originally set up as an archaeological preserve so hiking within the park is restricted to the six marked and paved trails, which vary in length and level of ability. Some are several miles long, some are steep and some require climbing ladders to get into the dwellings, so make sure to check at the Visitor Center to find the trail that best suits your ability and time limit. A small “train” pulled by tractor takes visitors from the parking area to the cliff dwellings.
Campgrounds Nearby
We stayed overnight at Cortez, in the Sundance RV Park. It’s a small place (68 sites) but with all the necessities for US campers - full electricity, water and sewer hookuips, even a facility to access the ‘web’. Special high marks for the washrooms, showers, etc. Walk to the town shops, restaurants and theatre, even. There are plenty of other campgrounds in the area; good value are the casinos, with economical rates and very good food and entertainment at Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc, SW on the road to Four Corners. It is a good idea to stay a little away from a popular site, and travel a short trip before looking around... the next day?... ..so use www.silverstarus.co.uk before you go.
.......................more next time - in Montana
Did I ever tell you that we’d been thrown out of the Grand Canyon.? ......twice !