Mesa Verde Country Offers Unique Pod Travel Stays in Remote Southwest Colorado

Cortez, Colo. – Pod travel – vacationing with a group of friends and/or family members who are aligned in their approach to staying safe during the pandemic – is a growing trend that likely isn’t going away anytime soon. Pod travelers are often in search of remote, yet memorable, destinations where social distancing is easier. Mesa Verde Country in rural Southwest Colorado is an off-the-beaten-path destination with millions of acres of open space for adventuring and stepping back in time that also offers unique lodging options for those traveling in pods. 

“Mesa Verde Country is a world-class destination in a remote area of Colorado, which means it was made for social distancing before that was even a trend,” says Kelly Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of Mesa Verde Country. “Especially this year, travelers are realizing that the trip of a lifetime doesn’t need to be to some exotic location; it just needs to be with the ones you love. We invite travelers and their social bubbles to come to Mesa Verde Country where they can spread out, get a breath of fresh air and make memories to last a lifetime.”  

Kirkpatrick says Mesa Verde Country’s three communities – Cortez, Mancos and Dolores – feature a number of unique lodging properties that travel pods can reserve in their entirety as a way to isolate and relax safely with their group. Here are the top five Mesa Verde Country properties that travel pods can rent out for their stay. 

• Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch (www.canyonoftheancients.com)
• Located in the countryside of Cortez, this historic guest ranch features a private home and five luxurious rental cabins. Kitchens and cooking utensils are provided, as well as free-range eggs and organic vegetables (in season), making on-site meal prep easy.    
• Dolores Mountain Inn (www.doloresmountaininn.com)
• This clean and comfortable inn is located in the beautiful mountain town of Dolores, just 10 minutes from Cortez. It offers motel rooms and suites, as well as easy access to nearby mountains, hiking/biking trails, the Dolores River and McPhee Reservoir, one of the largest in Colorado. The town of Dolores offers a variety of restaurants, as well as a grocery store. 
• Retro Inn (www.retroinnmesaverde.com) Recently renovated, this fun motor-style inn – where all of the doors connect directly to the parking lot and each room has its own heating/air conditioner unit – features rooms themed for the year of the room number (i.e. Room 1956 for Elvis Presley). Retro Inn is pet-friendly and conveniently located in Cortez – only 10 minutes to the world-famous Mesa Verde National Park.

• White Eagle Inn & Vacation Rental (www.whiteeagleinn.com)   The White Eagle Inn is an old-fashioned, family owned and operated lodging facility that has been in continuous operation for over 60 years. The inn features 16 ultra-clean motel rooms (one- to three-bed options) and one 1,500-square-foot vacation rental with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, offering travel pods a number of ways to spread out. 
• Willowtail Springs (www.willowtailsprings.com) Willowtail Springs is located in the charming town of Mancos and situated on a 60-acre ecological retreat. There are three cabins tucked into the serene setting, offering one- and three-bedroom options. The private, fully-stocked lake serves as a fishing paradise for all skill levels, and there are canoes, rowboats and casting rods available to borrow. The wetland oasis teems with nature and is a sanctuary for owls, golden eagles, osprey, meadowlarks and more. 

When visiting Mesa Verde Country, travelers should remember to wear a mask, physical distance, cover coughs and maintain good hand hygiene. Anyone in the travel pod that isn’t feeling well should not come on the trip. Go to www.mesaverdecountry.com to get the latest on coronavirus restrictions and to begin planning your trip.

About Mesa Verde Country (www.mesaverdecountry.com)

Mesa Verde Country is in southwest Colorado near the entrance to the magnificent Mesa Verde National Park. The nearby towns of Cortez, Dolores, and Mancos provide accommodations, dining, outdoor fun and visitor services. Named the “Number One Historic Monument in the World” by Conde Nast Traveler and one of the "50 Places of a Lifetime-The World's Greatest Destinations” by National Geographic, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the nation’s first World Heritage sites and the largest archaeological preserve in the country. Two national byways pass through Mesa Verde Country. In addition to the National Park, Mesa Verde Country is loaded with other archaeological attractions: Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum, Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, and the Cortez Cultural Center. Mountain biking enthusiasts have recognized Mesa Verde Country as one of the next great mountain biking destinations.

Contacts

Christy Nielson, Ore Communications, 206-399-1914, [email protected]

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970-531-2336, [email protected]