Where to stay in Mesa Verde
 

We're traveling from Sante Fe on our way to the Grand Canyon. Should we drive
to Mesa Verde on the way there or should we do Mesa Verde on our way from
Zion to Sante Fe. Also want to go to Monument Valley. Any tips?

There's only one place to stay in Mesa Verde--the Far View Lodge, and it is very worth it. Otherwise it's a pretty long drive into the park. It is one of the finest "wonders" of the world, in my opinion.

When are you going?

I would go to Mesa Verde if you have the time and stay in the park at Far View Lodge if it is open (i think it opens sometime in April). If you don't have time, at least go to Bandelier for some cliff dwellings, it is about an hour west of Santa Fe. You could also head over to Chaco Canyon, a bit farther west.

There is so much to see in the area and depending on the time you go you could visit either the north or south rim of GC. South is open year round and I like it best, north is nice too and less crowded in the summer, but not open until mid May or so.

Go to www.nps.gov and look at some of the fantastic national parks in this area. BTW Monument Valley is a Navajo park so won't be at that site.

It sounds like you are doing a round trip from Santa Fe to Grand Canyon, Zion, Monument Valley and Mesa Verde. If that is the case then make a circle either in the way I listed them above or in the reverse order.

You might see where you can get lodging and let that decide which way you do the circle.

Staying in Mesa Verde would be my first choice and if you can't get lodging there then Cortez will be the nearest city. We camp, so really can't recommend any specific place.

Utahtea

The Far View Lodge is typical National Park type lodging. We found the food there to be 2 or 3 notches above typical park food though. I would definately plan on staying there. Really you need more than a day in MV anyway. Do as many of the houses/ruins as you can. We didn't make it to the Wetherill section, but hope to go back and do too sometime. MV is a very interesting park. We did the Petroglyph hike and it was a nice hike.

I'll add my encouragement to stay inside the park. The Far View Lodge isn't luxurious by any stretch but it's comfortable and as spirobulldog mentioned the food there is very good.

Thanks so much for all the input. Can't wait to explore all of it.
If we're pressed for time, would you recommend Monument Valley or Mesa Verde.
May not be able to stay in both places.

Mesa Verde, but if you're really pressed, monument valley can be done more quickly.

Monument Valley can be done in a couple of hours but Mesa Verde needs at least one full day if not longer.

Utahtea

Mesa Verde over Monument Vally by a mile. But as emalloy and utahtea suggest Mesa Verde needs a lot more time than Monument Valley.

I have stayed at a small hotel in Cortez and it was fine. The food at the lodge in Mesa Verde was quite excellent--so I would suggest dinner there. There was also a decent Italian restaurant in Cortez and a great coffee shop that was inside an Airstream Trailer!! Mesa Verde is so AMAZING!!!!

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...by-debitnm.cfm

Staying in the park at Far View [very modest accommodation, but great sunsets and sunrises]is best. If not, Cortez has several motels that would work, as well as a few B&B's. Holiday Inn Express would be my choice.

I second that Airstream Coffee Shop. It's kinda hard to miss. I remember having a good coffee, a good smoothie. I am pretty sure we had a good breakfast burrito there too.

{I actually prefer SpruceTree House Coffee - they serve our favorite coffee "Black Velvet" by Desert Roaster.}