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Valley Activities Overview

Nestled in the heart of southwest Colorado recreation country, Mancos Valley lies at 7,000 feet elevation and looks toward the east at the rugged beauty of the La Plata Mountains and toward the west to the silent mysteries of Mesa Verde.

We invite you to enjoy your vacation here, where the past meets the present: Butch Cassidy, Louis Lamour, ... -- with Mancos as your headquarters.  Explore the many natural and historic wonders of the area.  The valley offers visitors and residents a wide variety of year-round recreational opportunities.

Year Around 
  • The entire Mancos Valley was first inhabited over a thousand years ago by the Ancestrial Puebloens.  Remains of their civilization attract visitors from all over the world to Mesa Verde National Park.
  • Mesa Verde National Park.
  • Anasazi Heritage Center.
  • Hovenweep. 

Children's Activities and Events

  • Park with facilities to accommodate basketball, Volley ball, Soccer, Rollerblading. Green grass to walk barefoot or sit on blankets. Picnic tables for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

  • A Riverwalk for exploring the creek and chasin' Crawdads.

  • The Reptile Reserve for exploring and studying the reptiles in their natural environment, safely and comfortably.

  • Horseback riding by the hour, 1/2 day, all day or breakfast or dinner rides.

  • Buggy and Stage Coach rides.

  • Library story hours, activities and computer programs.

  • Hiking, fishing and boating.

  • Watch local cattle round-up and Rodeos.

Spring and Summer
  • Mancos Renaissance Faire, June 16th and 17th
  • Fish for elusive trout in sparkling nearby mountain streams and small, ice-cold lakes.
  • Picnic in the aspens.
  • Drive the forest back roads and jeep trails into the mountains.
  • You can easily day hike into the mountains above 10,000 feet where the views are breathtaking.
  • Boat and fish on the many lakes in the area.
  • Visit Mesa Verde National Park. 

Late Summer
  • Local cattle roundups.
  • Rodeos.
  • Mancos Colorado Days which include parades, games, displays, plus craft and food booths in the town park during the last weekend in July.

Fall
  • A painter's and photographer's paradise, with the spectacular color changes of aspen and oak to flaming amber, orange and brilliant red.
  • Hunting trips are long-remembered, using Mancos as a starting base. The mule deer population spreads over our entire area, with elk plentiful in the dense forests of the high country.
  • Mancos Valley Balloon Festival, Sept. 28, 29 and 30th

Winter
  • Beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine.
  • Downhill skiing.
  • Cross-country skiing in the San Juan National Forest.
  • Snowmobiling on the sparkling snow-covered fields and pine-dotted mountain slopes.