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Aztec, New Mexico

Top Spots in and near Aztec

  • Aztec, New Mexico

    Explore Aztec Ruins National Monument

    Stop at the visitor center first then take your time walking the trails and exploring the different rooms, especially the great house. This National Monument is a Unesco World Heritage site.
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Mountain Bike in Dalla Mountain Park

    4 mi
    The Dalla Park shares a trailhead and parking lot with the Animas Mountain trail, frequently used for hiking and trail running. There is plenty of room in this lot, as well as several picnic tables. Immediately after crossing through the gate, the trail divides. The bike park takes up the south a...
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Hike the Animas Mountain Trail

    5.9 mi / 1535 ft gain
    The Animas Mountain Trail is a 6 mile loop trail, easily accessible from town, and best used from March until October. In the early spring and late fall, it is advised to bring YakTrax or similar in case there are icy patches on the trail. This trail is located in the San Juan National Forest nea...
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Explore Balcony House

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Starting at the trail head at 7,000 feet, you will head down the trail until you get to the cliff dwellings. There will be a wooden ladder you will have to climb, a recreation of the ladder used hundreds of years ago by the tribes living there. Once you get to the top of the ladder, the trail wil...
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Hike the Colorado Trail to Gudy's Rest

    4.0
    8.1 mi / 1400 ft gain
    This hike, a local favorite is less than five miles from downtown Durango. The entire hike offers beautiful views especially once your reach the top of Gudy's Rest. The trail starts off with a gradual uphill along Junction Creek. On this section of the trail, you will likely run into locals proba...
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Hike the Cliff Palace Loop Trail

    5.0
    0.4 mi / 127 ft gain
    Tickets for this tour are $4 per person and are available at the visitor center near the entrance of the park. This tour is best taken from April to November. This hike features The milky way is often visible from the top of Mesa Verde at night.  This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbin...
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Explore Mesa Top Loop

    4.5
    The 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, open 8 am to sunset, stops at 12 sites including surface ruins and cliff dwelling overlooks. The most famous feature of the park, Cliff Palace, is visible from the Sun Point and Sun Temple overlooks. Sunrise photography isn't possible on the loop due to operating ho...
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Drive the San Juan Skyway from Durango to Ouray

    4.7
    The drive from Durango to Ouray via Colorado 550 (The San Juan Skyway) is one of the most gorgeous roads in the country. The drive itself is worth your time, but if you have time be sure to make stops along the way at the many waterfalls, hiking trails, and lakes along the road. This drive passes...
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Hike the Falls Creek Loop

    4.5
    4.1 mi / 393 ft gain
    The Falls Creek Loop is a 4.1 mile trail in the San Juan National Forest, just outside of Durango, Colorado. Lots of side trails jut out from the main trail, and it is easy to lose your way. Take the middle trail at the first split, and keep following the main splits. You will find yourself on a ...
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Hike the Petroglyph Point Trail

    4.0
    2.7 mi / 698 ft gain
    Pick up a trail brochure for information on the interpretive signs. There are some steep and narrow portions of the trail, so make sure everyone in your party is of able physical capability. 
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Hike the Spruce Canyon Trail

    5.0
    3.1 mi / 754 ft gain
    The Spruce Canyon trail is very well taken care of. The trail begin with a descent into Spruce Tree Canyon and then follows a stream for 3/4 of a mile before climbing a side canyon back up to the ridge. The trailhead is located on the Chapin Mesa within Mesa Verde National Park. The trail is open...
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Hike to Long House and Step House at Mesa Verde National Park

    5.0
    3 mi / 130 ft gain
    This is a great opportunity to see two historic cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park within a relatively short period of time. Schedule your day around getting tickets to Long House, then taking a bit of a side trek to the Step House when you have the time. The tour begins at the Weatherhi...
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Hike the First Fork/Red Creek Loop

    9.8 mi / 2195 ft gain
    Leaving from Durango, head north on Florida Road/CR 240. From the intersection with County Road 250 (the last stoplight), drive about 8 miles until you reach Colvig Summer Camp. Turn northwest here. The road will soon narrow and turn to dirt - continue straight. 1 mile further, there will be a la...
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Hike Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail

    2 mi
    This two mile round-trip trail leaves from the information kiosk near Long House and Step House, and leads through and area severely burned by the 2000 Pony Fire.  There's no shade on this trail, so if you are doing it during the hotter months, be sure to bring a lot of water and sun protection. ...
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Trimble Hot Springs

    4.3
    The Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs offers a 101-105 degree, Olympic size swimming pool, in addition to two mineral pools, saunas, and a spa. Lodging is available as well, including a 'couple's hideaway' package.
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  • Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

    Explore the Far View Sites Complex

    4.5
    0.75 mi
    The Far View Community is located four miles north of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. In around 800 AD, the Ancestral Pueblo people lived in this area for several centuries. They mostly farmed the mesa tops, but were also hunters. It was one of the most densely populated regions of Mesa Ver...
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Camping and Lodging in Aztec

Morefield Campground
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Morefield Campground

From $33 / night

Far View Lodge
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Far View Lodge

From $129 / night

Transfer Group Campground
Mancos, Colorado

Transfer Group Campground

Graham Creek Campground
Bayfield, Colorado

Graham Creek Campground

Pine Point Campground
Bayfield, Colorado

Pine Point Campground

Florida Campground (Co)
Durango, Colorado

Florida Campground (Co)

Guides, Insights and Stories from Aztec

Visiting Old Friends

Visiting Old Friends

Sarah Ortegon

Beautiful Lodging in America’s Most Unique National Park

Beautiful Lodging in America’s Most Unique National Park

The Outbound Collective

10 Photos of Mesa Verde National Park's Stunning Landscape

10 Photos of Mesa Verde National Park's Stunning Landscape

The Outbound Collective

Why You Should Explore These Incredible Cliff Dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park

Why You Should Explore These Incredible Cliff Dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park

Christin Healey

6 Amazing Adventures in Mesa Verde National Park

6 Amazing Adventures in Mesa Verde National Park

Haley Baker

Why Shiprock Should Be on Your Southwest Adventure Bucket List

Why Shiprock Should Be on Your Southwest Adventure Bucket List

Joseph Gulizia