Mesa Verde seeks bike-rental vendors; plans free MLK Day

Hikers and bikers took advantage of the Mesa Verde Bike and Hike event last year at Mesa Verde National Park. Hikers and bicycle riders could ride or hike along the 5.5 mile long tram loop road. Along the route, many stopped at Long House, pictured above. Long House is the second largest cliff dwelling in the park. The park is seeking a bike vendor to provide bike rentals in the park.

Mancos Times file photo

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Hikers and bikers took advantage of the Mesa Verde Bike and Hike event last year at Mesa Verde National Park. Hikers and bicycle riders could ride or hike along the 5.5 mile long tram loop road. Along the route, many stopped at Long House, pictured above. Long House is the second largest cliff dwelling in the park. The park is seeking a bike vendor to provide bike rentals in the park.

Mancos Times file photo

Bicycle rentals are coming to Mesa Verde National Park.

Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer announced Monday that aspiring vendors can submit applications to the National Park Service for a commercial use authorization to open a bike-rental operation on roads and trails on Wetherill Mesa.

Strollers and wheelchairs might also be allowed.

For instructions and an application for an authorization, call the Mesa Verde National Park Concessions Management Division at 529-4613.

The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. Feb. 13.

Once all applications are in, the park service will issue the winning vendor a temporary commercial use authorization for an initial term of one year.

Free admission on MLK Day

Mesa Verde National Park and the U.S. Forest Service will waive fees at its sites Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Information on fee-free days at specific sites is available at www.recreation.gov.

Other upcoming free days are Presidents Day, Feb. 16; National Get Outdoors Day, June 13; National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26; and Veterans Day, Nov. 11.