Our SW trip has us staying in Durango & touring Mesa Verde July 3rd & 4th. I realize that this coincides with the Centennial Celebration. My husband does NOT handle crowds well. We have the option of touring a couple of days earlier - June 30th/July 1st - prior to heading up to Moab.
Do you think going a couple of days earlier will make a significant difference in the crowds?

Haven't been to Mesa Verde on the 4th of July but we have been to Moab a couple times on the 4th. Wasn't bad at all. The town shoots fireworks off one of the bluffs and you can pretty much see the fireworks from almost anywhere in town.

To tell you the truth, June 30ths is the Friday before the 4th of July weekend. Sorry to say, but if there are going to be crowds, it will more than likely be for whole 4 day weekend.

Utahtea

Unless you have your heart set on staying in Durango...think about staying in Cortez. It is just a short 10 minute drive to Mesa Verde and the prices are a lot more reasonable. I am not so sure that the centennial celebration will cause that many more visitors on the 4th. It is very spread out, and shouldn't be "crowd" centra.

If you are going to NAtional parks in Moab too...consider buying an annual Park Pass.

Find out more about Cortez at:

http://www.cityofcortez.com/visiting.shtmle