Category: Things to do

Ways To Stay Cool This Summer!Ways To Stay Cool This Summer!

It is hot out! Here are some great ways to fight the heat and stay cool this summer:

Lake Nighthorse – 2 miles southwest of Durango. $10 daily pass. Swimming, fishing, hiking, boating, and there is an inflatable course as well. 

Jackson Lake – Mancos State Park $10 daily pass. Boating, fishing. Camping. Biking. No swimming.

McPhee Reservoir – Outside of Dolores. Camping, fishing, boating, biking, hiking, and cliff jumping. FREE except for camping. Second largest lake in Colorado!

Dolores River – FREE. There are beach areas that are perfect for families. Swim, paddle board, kayak. 

Cortez Outdoor Pool – $3 youth, $5 adult. Open Swim 1-4:50 pm every day. 

Durango Rec Center – $6 youth, $7.50 adult. Climbing wall, gym, pool, outdoor splash pad, water slide, and racquetball courts. 

Durango Hot Springs – Youth $15, Adult $39. 32 natural hot springs mineral pools. Swimming pool, cold plunges, and more. 9am-10pm daily.

Mancos Days 2022!Mancos Days 2022!

Congratulations to Jeanne Smith, the Mancos Days 2022 Queen!

Click here to read about Jeanne!  

 

What’s your favorite part of Mancos Days? The parade, horseshoe games, baseball games, kiddie parade, or live music? If you have been around  Mancos for a while, one of the best parts is connecting with friends.  My favorite part is meandering around downtown, and finding your spot in the shade for the parade and then heading to the park for fresh squeezed lemonade, Teriyaki kabobs, and browsing the vendors. High school reunions are going on as well as the Queen’s tea; don’t miss Jack and Jeanne Smith’s BBQ to honor Jeanne as the 2022 Mancos Day Queen!  Click here for more info on Mancos Days!

Things to do and see in Southwest ColoradoThings to do and see in Southwest Colorado

Woo Hoo!  I’ve got an 18 year old Mancos High School graduate, Gray Stecher and he wrote this blog! Need a hiking partner ?  Call us!  970-759-2540

 

Looking for things to do in the Mancos valley and surrounding areas this summer? Look no further. In this lovely corner of Colorado that we call home there are endless opportunities for fun wherever you look, whether that be outdoor recreational activities, like mountain biking or enjoying a delicious meal at a local restaurant.

 

Here are just a few fun things to do near Mancos Colorado.

Enjoy some time in the sun at one of the local lakes.

Head towards Durango and check out Lake Nighthorse. Enjoy their new floating obstacle course, or get out for some boating or fishing!For more information: https://co-durango.civicplus.com/lakenighthorse

 

Head towards Dolores and you’ll find Mcphee reservoir. Mcphee is the fifth largest lake in colorado. Here you will find great cliff jumping spots, as well as numerous popular fishing spots, a wide open lake great for boating activities and other things such as camping sites and hiking trails.

 

Mcphee cliffs: Have you jumped off? For more info on Mcphee Reservoir:     https://www.uncovercolorado.com/national-lands/mcphee-reservoir/

 

Looking for something a little closer to Mancos? Head up to Jackson lake. In the spring, summer and fall, fishermen, canoeists, kayakers and wakeless power boaters enjoy the calm waters of Jackson Gulch Reservoir. For more information visit: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Mancos/Pages/default.aspx



Thinking of something more fast paced? Check out the Animas river for a rafting adventure!

Check out mild to wild for rafting information as well as other topics such as jeep tours and other adventurous activities: https://mild2wildrafting.com

Looking for other types of whitewater fun? Pick up tubes at a local store and enjoy some white water fun with your friends on either the Animas, or Dolores rivers.

Check out two popular tubing areas below .Durango river (more fast paced)  andDolores River tubing (more relaxed).

Looking for some adventurous mountain biking trails in the area? Head towards Cortez and check out more than twenty-five miles of single track trails ranging from beginner to expert level bike trails at Phil’s world.

“Phil’s World is known for two words, RIB CAGE! The most prominent feature of the area, Rib Cage is fast and fun, rolling terrain that will make you hoop and holler. You can lap this feature, but there is plenty of other fun to be had as well. Ledges and Stinking Spring trails are furthest from the trailhead, and offer a bit more challenging terrain, and also the best views.” https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/621788/phils-world

Looking for some great hiking trails? Look no further than the beautiful trails surrounding mancos!

Head to Mesa Verde national park for some great hiking trails, as well as guided tours and camping opportunities.

Check out Mesa Verde hiking information at:

https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

Check out other things to do at Mesa Verde:

https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/things-to-do.htm

Other popular hiking trails:

Sharkstooth trail…For information head to:

https://www.mancostrails.org/sharkstooth-trail.html For directions head to: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/sharkstooth-pass-trail 

 San Juan Bear creek loop…

For Information, reviews, and directions head to:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/san-juan-bear-creek-loop


Summit Hesperus mountain…

For Information, reviews, and directions head to:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/hesperus-mountain-peak-trail

Check out Little Hawaii in Telluride…           For Information, reviews, and directions head to:ttps://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/bear-creek-trail-5ef78f6–2

Want to enjoy some time out with some friends at a local Business?

Enjoy a glass of world class wine, or check out upcoming events at Sutcliffe vineyards:

https://www.sutcliffewines.com

 

Enjoy a meal with some friends at some of our lovely local restaurants…

Steamworks Brewing Company…

https://steamworksbrewing.com

Absolute Bakery and Cafe

http://www.absolutebakery.com

 

Grab a cup of coffee before your adventure…

 

Fahrenheit coffee roasters.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g33536-d1913391-Reviews-Fahrenheit_Coffee-Mancos_Colorado.html

Durango Joes.

https://durangojoes.com

Mountain Getaway above Mancos, Colorado: Jersey Jim Lookout TowerMountain Getaway above Mancos, Colorado: Jersey Jim Lookout Tower

Looking for a unique stay in the mountains? Jersey Jim Lookout Tower is located in the San Juan National Forest 14 miles above Mancos, Colorado. Formerly used to detect fires, the tower rises 60 feet above an aspen lined meadow. The Tower was renovated and saved from demolition in 1991 by the Jersey Jim Foundation, a non-profit volunteer organization, which operates and maintains the Tower under permit with the San Juan National Forest.

 

Guests can stay in the tower for 1-2 nights from mid- May to mid- October. The tower has original furniture and propane heating and lighting as well as a small stove, and fridge. There is a bathroom on the ground level. Guests must bring all of their own supplies including bedding for the double bed. Supplies can be carried up the stairs or hoisted up on a pulley. Up to 4 guests may stay for $50 a night. The tower has incredible 360 degree views of the surrounding area, which makes for great photos! There are also a multitude of nearby hiking trails.

 

Regular bookings are currently full for the 2022 season, however Mancos Friends of the Library is currently auctioning a night in the tower on Friday, July 8. The online auction starts today (June 20) and ends Sunday, June 26 at 8pm. Bids can be placed at mancosfriends.org

 

Normal bookings open on March 1 and can be made at the link below. Make sure to add it to your calendar because the entire season is booked very quickly.

 https://jerseyjimfoundation.lodgify.com/