Hawkins Preserve — Attraction in Cortez

This is a great place for a peaceful walk. The main path, Mesa View) is paved, wide, smooth and handicap accessible. It is less than a half mile long but does have a little elevation at some points. There are also dirt paths you can follow that have varying distances and levels of difficulty. Hawkins Preserve has a website that will give you detailed information. There is a picnic area and bathrooms. The bathrooms are pretty primitive but they don't smell!

This is a preserve so you need to be mindful to stay on the paths, clean up after your dogs (!!!), and leave everything as you found it unless you are kind enough to pick up any trash you may find. I didn't see any.

There are some cool art installations, shaded benches placed periodically, and gorgeous vistas. Bring a hat, water, sunglasses, and wear comfortable shoes and your visit will be great!

The parking lot is dirt & gravel but well maintained . There is one dedicated handicapped parking spot but the whole lot is accessible. Anyone using a walker, stroller, wheelchair, or knee scooter would be able to enjoy the main path (Mesa View) but it does not take you to the bathrooms or picnic area.

I bring small children here but they need to be prepared, this is not a place to run wild. There is a LOT of cactus right next to the paths. Put hats & sunscreen on them, bring water & snacks, and enjoy. This is a great place to do a visual scavenger hunt for local plants & animals. There are birdhouses and many signs identifying the plants & trees.

Bring a phone or camera because it's...

This is area is such a gem! I'm local to the area but I absolutely love to visit Hawkins Preserve. Not only are the views spectacular but the trails are pet friendly. I often bring my little dog with me to run errands in town. Our reward is a walk through one of the many trails here. It's so close to town but feels a world away. I've also learned so much about then plants thanks to the signs. Another thing I love is that there are accessible trails that are good for my mom whose a bit older. She can't hike Sand Canyon but Hawkins is perfect. So she still has an opportunity to see some ruins and...

Looks like a lot of time and money went into this place in the past. While it could use a little TLC, it's still a great spot to enjoy the trails and soak in nature. Just a heads-up—don’t count on the restrooms. Many of the paths are well-marked, and a lot of the plants are labeled too, so you can learn about the different species as you go. Perfect for a short hike or a longer wander. Stay as long as you like and take...