Bikepacking in Mesa Verde, Colorado

Get ready for a thrilling two-day bike camping adventure in the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. Embrace the unique opportunity of exploring the ancient ruins of the Ancestral Puebloans and the vast Colorado mountains with local guides. The park is twice the size of Mesa Verde National Park and has far fewer visitors, making it a truly special place to experience the wilderness of Colorado.

Group

2 Days

Apr

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Come along on a two-day bike camping adventure to explore the ancient ruins of the Ancestral Puebloans
Experience the beauty of the Colorado mountains
Ride your bicycle through hidden ruins, and camp under the stars

Description

Embark on a two-day bike camping adventure to explore the ancient ruins of the Ancestral Puebloans in the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. Ride your bicycle through the vast Colorado landscapes, visit hidden ruins, and camp under the stars in one of the darkest skies in the country.

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park is a hidden gem in the Four Corners region. Twice the size of Mesa Verde National Park, it is home to just as many awe-inspiring Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, but only a fraction of the visitors. In fact, fewer than 25,000 people visit the park each year.

Four Corners Guides is the only company that has the exclusive permit to take bike packing (and this year, pack rafting) trips into the park. Our base camp is Scullbinder Ranch, which lies on the border of the park. From here, we can explore the park's remote trails and hidden ruins, far from the crowds.

Participants must have experience riding bicycles off-road in the backcountry, as we'll be riding a loaded bike for 30+ miles each day. Backcountry camping skills, such as setting up a tent and cooking over a campfire, will also help you ensure you have the best experience on this trip.

If you are looking for an adventure of a lifetime in the untouched lands of Colorado, then this is the trip for you! Book your spot now with us!

Price includes

Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Permit and entrance fees
Tents

Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Lion Canyon

We'll meet at Scullbinder Ranch at 8 a.m. and embark on a 30-mile journey up to Lion Canyon. Along the route, we'll make stops to explore intriguing roadside ruins.

Day 2: Discover Ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings

Our second day will be dedicated to exploring Ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings with the guidance of a Ute Mountain Ute expert. We'll spend the night once again at Lion Canyon.

Day 3: Return to Mancos Brewing Company

We'll start our return journey, covering approximately 30 miles as we make our way back to Mancos Brewing Company. Our route will take us through the Tribal Park west gate, concluding our memorable adventure.

Equipment you will need to bring

For this trip you'll need to bring the following: * Bicycle: Make sure your bike is in good working condition and has all of the necessary parts, such as a helmet, lights, and a lock. * Camping gear: This includes a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad

About the guide

Four Corners

Guiding agency

The Four Corners Guides team, led by Steve and Lizzy, runs a base camp and adventure guide service. They aim to offer adventure opportunities and enhance backcountry skills for bigger and more exciting adventures. Their guides are certified in Swiftwater Rescue Training, Wilderness First Responders, and Level 3 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructors. They also conduct risk management training with Wilderness Medical Associates International and advanced paddling training with Kent Ford. Their goal is to provide guests with a deeper sense of enjoyment for living in and using human-powered tools in remote landscapes.

Languages

English | Spanish

Certificates

ACA - American Canoe Association

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What people are saying about Explore-Share

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