Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.25 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.25
9 Reviews

Cortez to Mesa Verde National Park

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Mar 31, 2008

Rider Reviews

See All Rider Reviews
CVO Dave
48 McR Points
February 9, 2013
Very Nice ride. Rode this in July 2012. It was…
Read More
Thumbsup
DgoMountie
33 McR Points
July 16, 2017
Expect summer traffic.Early summer or fall is the…
Read More
Thumbsup

Written Directions

From the town of Cortez, CO, head east on US 160 for 7 miles and then you'll want to turn south into the Mesa Verde National Park (on US 10). You take this all the way into the park where you can explore many different roads ... approximate length of the trip is 30 miles or so.

Scenery

Highway 160 from Cortez to the park entrance is good scenery. Upon entering the park the scenery greatly improves. With several great vistas down into the valley and towards the Colorado Rockies. Scenery within the park is spectacular including the Cliff dwellings. Be sure to bring camera and lots of water as you will want to climb around the Cliff Dwellings. If there are "oldsters" within the group be sure to check with Rangers first before entering the Cliff Dwelling paths as some of them are very strenuous to climb in and around. Spruce Tree Cliff Dwellings

Drive Enjoyment

The road surface from Cortez to the park (8 miles)is smooth all the way with nice scenery. Then upon entering the park there is a 20 mile climb on smooth surface all the way with lots of great curves to maneuver..

Tourism Opportunities

Cortez has many good restaurants and there is food up within the park. Since it is only about a sixty mile round trip gas should not be an issue.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

Top Images

View All Add Photo Add Video
Share Your Comments ( 9 )
  Earn McR Points
Write a review
CVO Dave
February 9, 2013
48 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Very Nice ride. Rode this in July 2012. It was very hot and the amenities are few and far between. The Park Rangers don't joke either. Passing on a double yellow line is highly frowned upon. Although it was only an $50 fine. He did proceed to tell me if it wasn't paid in 21 Days,they'd issue a warrant for my arrest.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
DgoMountie
July 16, 2017
33 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Expect summer traffic.
Early summer or fall is the best time to avoid crowds.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
2 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
Guest
August 27, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
We made the trip in late July (East-West). The lower elevations were very warm but the roads were great on a motorcycle. Mesa Verde was interesting and tourist friendly. If heading West out of Cortez, recommend leaving early as rooms are not plentiful in Kayenta, AR.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
2 riders found this road review useful