Mancos is where the old west meets the new. This is Louis L’Amour country, King of the Western Novel, where you can head out with one of our local outfitters and ride the trails and see the backcountry that L'Amour wrote about.
L'Amour lived up the road a bit and many of his novels are set in the region. You can learn more about him by stopping by the Visitors Center. Check out the Louis L'Amour Gallery where his books are on display and for sale.
Perhaps you want to explore the mysteries of the people who lived here, farmed here and built the magnificent sandstone structures of Mesa Verde and Hovenweep. Our western outfitters are ready to help you create a trip for you and your family that is filled with discovery and adventure in the less traveled territory around the Mancos Valley. Can you see yourself sleeping under the stars in a forest of aspen trees floating down a pristine river beneath towering canyon walls, or learning about the traditional cultures of the Navajo, Hopi or Ute people?
Maybe a dude ranch is more your style or perhaps a simple meal in a meadow with steaks on the grill and some cowboy music to entertain you. Discover the adventures that are waiting for you out here in southwestern Colorado.
Encounter the authentic cowboy heritage, culture and way of life in the Mancos Valley. Learn what makes it great as well as why and how it has survived change over time. The cowboy and cowgirl are recognized for their consistent commitment to hard work, honesty, integrity and sheer doggedness. The "cowboy code" has been their compass over time.
- Live each day with courage
- Take pride in your work
- Always finish what you start
- Do what has to be done
- Be tough, but fair
- When you make a promise, keep it
- Ride for the brand
- Talk less and say more
- Remember that some things aren’t for sale
- Know where to draw the line
Cowboy Code with permission from National Day of the Cowboy and from the book “Cowboy Ethics” by James Owen’s
