Just south, east, and west of Mesa Verde National Park lies the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, where the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe stewards ancestral places that remain sacred and vital to descendant communities.

Protected with respect, this living landscape reveals Ute and Ancestral Pueblo histories, offering contrasts between federal oversight and Indigenous stewardship while affirming cultural continuity through the millennia.

Alongside knowledgeable community members, we’ll explore this landscape by bike, blending glamping and car camping, for an immersive experience that deepens understanding of heritage management, Southwestern archaeology, Indigenous sovereignty, and responsible tourism.

Lyle Balenquah (Hopi) is a member of the Greasewood Clan from Paaqavi (Reed Springs Place) in northern Arizona. Lyle is a Cultural Resource Consultant who has worked in the American Southwest as an archaeologist documenting Ancestral Hopi settlements and lifeways.

Rebecca (Becky) Hammond is a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.  She has been a Crow Canyon Educator since 1997 and is the American Indian Outreach Manager.

Ritchie Sahneyah is Tobacco Clan from first Mesa, an anthropology student at Northern Arizona University, and frequent Crow Canyon program contributor.

Dave Satterwhite is Crow Canyon's Field Manager and leads research projects. His professional interests include lithic technology, cultural manifestations of social inequity, the integration of Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and interpretations of the archaeological record, and early-Basketmaker adaptations and lifeways.

Journey through the Ute Mountain Tribal Park—a sacred landscape seldom-seen by bike, where ancestral places are respected and stewarded by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

Extend the Mesa Verde story beyond National Park boundaries, experiencing a cultural landscape maintained through Indigenous stewardship and traditions.

Engage directly with living cultural heritage, connecting past, present, and future.

This moderately strenuous program blends biking, hiking, and cultural exploration in the Ute Mountain Tribal Park. Participants will cover 50 miles over three days of biking on uneven dirt roads, with additional hikes to explore cliff dwellings and petroglyphs. Experienced mountain bikers are recommended. Comfortable accommodations and well-paced activities allow for reflection, learning, and immersive engagement with this unique landscape.

What time does the program start on the first day? Please arrive at Crow Canyon’s Campus in Cortez by 2:00 p.m.

What time does the program end on the last day? You are welcome to depart as soon as you wake up on departure day. 

Can I arrive early and/or stay late? Yes, we encourage this. We may even be able to pick you up at the airport and deliver you to your accommodation. Please check in with the Program Manager in advance to see if limited transportation from Crow Canyon is possible for dates outside of the day before or last day of the trip. 

How strenuous is the program?  We will be biking 18 miles (mostly downhill with 1,200’ elevation loss, and 400’ elevation gain) on the first day, around 15 miles (mostly flat,with 500’ or elevation gain and 500’ feet elevation loss) on the second day, and 18 miles (mostly uphill with 400’ elevation loss, and 1,200’ elevation gain) on the third day. Expect to cover 50 miles in three days with 2,100’ of elevation gain!

Each day we will leave our bikes near the road to explore cliff dwellings and petroglyphs at higher elevations, so plan to hike a few miles on rocky, unmaintained trails. Participants should have years of biking experience and be in shape enough to cover 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, on a mountain bike, on uneven terrain, at high elevations. Our entire trip will take place at locations at 5,500’ to 6,500’ in elevation. 

How long are the hikes on the trip? Expect up to 2–5 miles of hiking every day of the trip except for the first and last. 

How much elevation gain do the hikes have?  Some hikes are steep; others are moderate. For example, on one of the largest hikes, we will gain 800’ of elevation in a mile and a half on the way up and descend the same on the way down. 

How will my gear be transported? Crow Canyon will shuttle your camping gear to our campsite, and it will be ready upon arrival. We recommend bringing only what you need; gear does not need to be ultralight. A suggested packing list will be provided about a month before the trip. 

We do recommend bringing a daypack with you while biking, as we will leave bikes near the road and hike near the top of mesas to see some sites. 

Will there be opportunities for swimming? Most biking will take place along the Mancos River corridor, where swimming is possible. However, spring runoff may make water cold, shallow, or fast-moving. 

What camping gear is provided? Crow Canyon has limited supplies of tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads available to rent for a small cleaning fee. You may also rent gear from a local outfitter. Contact the Program Manager for details.

From which airports will transportation be provided? We will pick you up and deliver you to the Cortez or Durango airports if you fly in on May 16 or 17 and out on May 23. We highly recommend extending your vacation by arriving early and or staying late if possible. We will do our best to assist with transportation outside of the above dates, but cannot guarantee it. 

How long are the drives on the program? Expect 5–6 hours of driving each on our Tribal Park and Mesa Verde vehicle tour days (first and last full tour days). There is limited to no driving during the three biking days. We will be visiting and experiencing a big landscape and we must often drive (or bike) “around” to get to the places on the mesa we want to be. 

Will bathroom facilities be readily available throughout the event? We will have reasonable access to running water-bathroom facilities and pit toilets most of the time on our trip. Options are limited, however, for our time in the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, especially when we are on our bikes. Crow Canyon will provide wag bags for Poo-mergencies and you will be expected to pack it out yourself unless a support vehicle is nearby. Camping includes a mix of rustic bathrooms and outhouses.  

Can I drive myself during the program? Can I bring an RV to stay in instead? Driving is a great way to get to our beautiful part of the world and we recommend and welcome this option if it suits you. We will have a place to park your vehicle for the duration of the program. Driving to locations during the trip is not permitted. If you want to arrive and depart in an RV we will provide parking but we do not have hook ups nor RV camp spaces. RVs (like other vehicles) will not be welcomed along with us for our Travel Program.   

What if I have a dietary restriction? We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions to your satisfaction. Make a note of restrictions and requests upon registration. If you have questions, contact the Program Manager to discuss options and needs.

This program requires special permission from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park and Mesa Verde National Park. 

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California CST 2059347-50

• Deposit is fully refundable minus service and processing fees until 90 days prior to the program date.
  

• Full payment due 90 days prior to the program start date.
  

• If cancellation notice is received between 90 days and 60 days from the program start date, 50% of the tuition will be retained
  

• If cancellation notice is received between 60 days and the program start date, 100% of the tuition will be retained.
  

Gather in the evening for an opening celebration and dinner. This first night will center participants’ hearts and minds, preparing for a collaborative journey of learning. 

Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Cortez, CO.

Spend the day visiting spectacular cliff dwellings of the Ute Mountain Tribal Park and sites in Mancos Canyon. Along the way, educators describe traditional life, agricultural practices, and how people live in reciprocity with the landscape. Learn about the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe's connection to, and stewardship of, traditional landscapes. The Tribal Park reflects the Ute Mountain Ute people’s sovereignty and self-determination in caring for ancestral lands. Bring your sense of adventure—ladders are involved!

Overnight: Scullbinder Ranch, Mancos, CO

Begin a two-wheeled journey from Scullbinder Ranch, adjacent to the Tribal Park. Explore seldom-seen cliff dwellings with knowledgeable guides who will share cultural stories and archaeological context, deepening understanding of the region’s history. After 18 mostly downhill miles on bike and 2–3 miles on foot, relax at camp with cold beverages and warm food.

Overnight: Tent Camping, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, CO

Well-maintained dirt roads, pottery sherds, petroglyph panels, cliff dwellings, wild horses, hand tools, and desert wildlife describe the variety of likely encounters. We will observe several more sites, some so well-hidden in plain sight that it may surprise you. We will visit with respect yet be close enough to notice fingerprints in the plaster. Expect 12 miles on bike and 2–3 miles on foot. 

Overnight: Tent Camping, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, CO

We encounter more cultural sites, ancestral belongings, petroglyphs, and wildlife as we work our way back to Scullbinder Ranch, where our glamping tents and a special meal awaits. We will encourage reflection on insights gained before settling in for a well-deserved rest. Expect 18 mostly uphill miles on bike and 2–3 miles on foot. 

Overnight: Scullbinder Ranch, Mancos, CO

Adjacent to the Ute Tribal Park lies Mesa Verde National Park. Today is full of scenic viewscapes and a cliff dwelling tour, if available. We will see many stabilized cliff dwellings that demonstrate their ancestral glory. This experience highlights contrasting models of land care—federal authority versus Indigenous governance—that continue to shape public land policy.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Cortez, CO

Crow Canyon provides convenient airport shuttles to Cortez and Durango airports. Depart with lasting memories, new perspectives, and a deeper understanding of Southwestern archaeology, Indigenous stewardship, and cultural heritage.