History, agriculture, and community has been the center of Mancos for over 14 centuries. Today, the Town of Mancos is a quaint, one-stoplight community less than 30 miles west of Durango, CO.
History
From the Ancestral Puebloens creating homes in what is known today as Mesa Verde National Park in 600 AD, to the Denver, Rio Grande & Southern Railway passing through, Mancos’ history is rooted in agriculture and acted as a trading center. Officially founded in 1894, many farmers, cattle ranchers, and expeditioners crossed through and settled in the Mancos Valley beforehand.
Things to Do in Mancos, CO
- The largest and most popular attraction in Mancos is Mesa Verde National Park. This World Heritage Site hosts well preserved cliff dwellings, artifacts, and more pieces of history to explore. Mancos’s trademark is “Gateway to Mesa Verde” and the entrance is located between Mancos and Cortez.
- Mancos State Park is centered around Jackson Gulch Reservoir and allows boating, fishing, and ice fishing. Camping (in tents, cabins, and yurts), picnicking, biking, hiking, hunting, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and birding is also available in the area. Located only 5 miles from town, this is an easy day trip or camping experience that’s also close to the town's amenities.
- Bauer Lake, Summit Reservoir, Chicken Creek, and the Mancos River are all other water-centric activities to enjoy. The river runs through downtown before Chicken Creek meets it a little further southwest.
- Downtown Mancos has restaurants, shops, and grocery stores, each providing something unique to the area. Locally made southwestern art is prevalent here, alongside food with Mexican influences and local produce. Eso Terra Ciderworks is a notable establishment founded here that produces hard cider made from local apples accompanied by yummy bites along the river. There is a motel as well as two campgrounds in town as well. Boyle Park and Cottonwood Park are fun for everyone, including your furry friends.
- Annual events in Mancos include the Farmers Market, BurroFest, Mancos Days, Grand Summer Night & Grand Autumn Eve, an Olde Fashioned Christmas, Summer Brewfest, Rhythm & Roots Harvest Fest, River Film Festival, Cowboy Half Marathon, and more throughout the year.
Real Estate
While the town is only 384 acres, there are many single family homes in town with some mobile homes and townhomes too. Many of the properties in this area are more rural including hobby farms, agricultural properties, and equestrian ranches. In the Mancos Valley, the terrain is more hilly than Durango with views of Mesa Verde, Lone Cone, Ute Mountain, and the La Plata Mountains. Mancos has lower residential prices than Durango, making it a homebase for commuters with only a 35 minutes drive to Durango. Browse homes for sale in Mancos, CO here.
A part of Montezuma County, many utility companies are either based in Cortez (such as Empire Electric Association, Inc.), Dolores (Montezuma Water Company) or in town including Mancos Rural Water Company and the Town of Mancos water/sewer.
Nearby Places - Dolores & Cortez
If you turn north onto Highway 184 at the stoplight in Mancos, you’ll head towards Dolores, Colorado. This small town also offers amazing activities including biking in Boggy Draw, water sports on McPhee Reservoir and the Dolores River, and gorgeous scenery. If you continue on Highway 145 you’ll travel the San Juan Scenic Byway toward Rico and Telluride.
Cortez is an additional 18 miles west of Mancos. on Highway 160 and offers more conveniences such as big name grocery stores, Southwest Memorial Hospital, as well as activities such as Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Phil’s World Bike Trail, Conquistador Golf Course, and Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
Mancos is a wonderful niche in Southwest Colorado providing one-of-a-kind views and unique activities. Please don’t hesitate to contact Max or Deven about other things to do as well as buying or selling real estate in Mancos.
