WSP01911 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

OGH29 In addition to tourism. farming, livestock raising, logging, and mining are substantial contributors to the economy of the surrounding country, Population in the immediate VICinity of the park is sparce. Montezuma County had a population in 1960 of 15,000, half in Cortez, the county seat. The sharp population rise in the early 1960's around Cortez has leveled off with the decline in oil and mineral processing. The nearest large population centers - Denver to the northeast. Salt Lake City to the northwest, and Phoenix to the southwest - are 300 or more miles from Mesa Verde. Land around the park is used mostly for grazing and dry farming, The Ute Mountain Indian Reservation. bordering the park on the south, contains many significant ruins and archeological sites. These Indian lands are undeveloped and at present remain in a nearly natural state, To the northeast of the park lies Mancos Valley, to the north and northwest the Montezuma Valley. with distant views of the La Plata and San Miguel Mountains. many of their peaks over 14,000 feel, South of the park. a portion of the great Southwest Desert begins, Mesa Verde is thus situated between extremely high mountains only 30 miles to the north, and desert only 25 miles to the southwest. i There is considerable public recreation land around the park, Some has been developed; however, much remains undeveloped and in roadless condition, To the north and northeast of Mesa Verde lies the 2-million-acre San Juan National Forest, but at no point do the two share a common boundary, Substantial recreational facilities have been developed in this national forest. Over 500.000 persons camp. picnic, hunt. fish, ski, hike, and sightsee here annually. The 240,000-acre San Juan Primitive Area and the 9600-acre Wilson Mountains Primitive Area are located within the national foresL Both will be studied by the Forest Service for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. 17