Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Here

Where is Crow Canyon?

Crow Canyon is located 4 miles northwest of the town of Cortez (off Hwy 491) in spectacular southwestern Colorado. We are about 40 miles northeast of Four Corners Monument, where the four states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. Located amidst majestic mountains, mesas, and canyons, our campus is just 15 miles west of the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park. See map with driving directions to Crow Canyon.

How do I get there by car?

Although Crow Canyon is located in rural Colorado, major highways link it to cities in all directions. We are approximately 50 miles west of Durango, Colorado (via Highway 160); 400 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado; 250 miles northwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 400 miles northeast of Phoenix, Arizona; and 350 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah. See map with driving directions to Crow Canyon.

What if I want to travel by airplane?

The Cortez Municipal Airport receives multiple flights daily from Denver. You may rent a car at the airport, or we will arrange for a Crow Canyon staff member to pick you up.

Alternatively, you may fly into one of the following cities and rent a car:

• Durango, Colorado (from airport, about 60 miles to Cortez)
• Farmington, New Mexico (about 75 miles to Cortez)
• Albuquerque, New Mexico (about a 4.5-hour drive to Cortez)

Campus

What are the accommodations for an on-campus program?

We provide shared accommodations in Navajo-style log cabins (called hogans) or in dormitory-style rooms in the lodge. Each hogan houses up to four people in a single room; shower and bathroom facilities are in a separate building readily accessible to all hogans. In the lodge, showers and bathrooms are located down the hall from the dormitory-style rooms. All facilities are fully heated, and the classrooms are air-conditioned, but the sleeping quarters are not (we generally enjoy relatively cool nights in this area).

Crow Canyon does not provide private rooms or private baths. Couples need to be aware that they might not be housed together, and they should pack accordingly. Room assignments are made approximately two weeks prior to the program and are based on the number of programs and people on campus. Requests will be honored if possible, but special arrangements cannot be guaranteed. Families are housed together during Family Archaeology Week.

You must bring your own bedding and linens. Basically, you will need a light sleeping bag (or sheets and blankets), a pillow, a towel, and a washcloth. If you would like, you may ship these items to us via UPS. We are a UPS station, so return-shipping arrangements can be made while you are on campus. See What to Bring.

Can I stay in a local motel and still participate in an on-campus program?

Yes. If you prefer to stay in town at a motel, information on local accommodations can be sent to you, or you can go to the visitor information section of the Cortez Chamber of Commerce Web site for a list of area lodgings. If you choose to stay off campus, the price of your program will be reduced. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on campus.

If I sign up for consecutive campus programs, may I stay on campus over the weekend?

You may stay over on a Saturday night for an additional fee. Saturday lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday breakfast and lunch, will be on your own.

What does the campus look like?

The campus is nestled in a sage- and juniper-covered canyon (see the Photo Gallery). There is a beautiful meadow with a tree-shaded pond in front of the lodge, where, if you're lucky, you'll see deer in the early morning or late evening. The lodge and hogans are situated on a hillside with a view of majestic mountain peaks, and a short nature trail winds through the woods. You can enjoy your meals on the lodge deck and spend a quiet evening viewing our Southwestern sunsets. It's a very peaceful environment in which to spend a few days or a few weeks. Here's an aerial view of the campus. Click on the image to enlarge.