Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.
The Basics
Hours:
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK IS OPEN DAILY, YEAR-ROUND.
Mesa Verde National Park is in Southwestern Colorado. The Mesa Verde Headquarters is a one-hour drive from Cortez, Colorado, heading east on Highway 160 to the park turnoff, and a 1.5 hour drive from Durango, Colorado, heading west on Highway 160 to the park turnoff.
Climate
Mesa Verde National Park has mild to hot weather during summer months. During some winters, the weather is also mild. Snow storms can occur as late as May and as early as October, but usually both of these months are pleasant. June through September are warm to hot, with cool evenings. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during July and August.
Private Vehicles: $10.00 - $15.00 Motorcyclists and Individuals:$5.00 - $8.00 Activities and Guided Tours extra
Things To Do
IF YOU HAVE ONE HALF DAY OR LESS... Plan to spend at least four hours at Mesa Verde. Two hours of this time will be spent driving in and out of the park. •Your first stop should be at the Far View Visitor Center (15 miles from the park entrance) for information and orientation. •Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and Spruce Tree House -or- drive the Mesa Top Loop Road (six-mile loop).
IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY... •Stop at the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tickets ($3.00) to visit Cliff Palace or Balcony House. •Drive the Cliff Palace/Balcony House Loop Road. If you plan to visit Cliff Palace or Balcony House, be sure to purchase your tickets at the Far View Visitor Center first. •Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, take a self-guided tour of Spruce Tree House, -and- drive the Mesa Top Loop Road (six-mile loop). •Hike the Far View Sites Complex.
IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY (alternative)... •Stop at the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tickets ($3.00) to visit Long House on Wetherill Mesa. •Take the Wetherill Mesa Drive, hike the trails to the mesa top sites and cliff dwelling overlooks, and enjoy the tram service. •Join a ranger for your ticketed tour to Long House. Be sure to purchase your tickets ($3.00) at the Far View Visitor Center before driving to Wetherill Mesa. •Take a self-guided tour of Step House.
IF YOU HAVE TWO DAYS OR MORE (one day activities plus)... •Stop at the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tickets to visit all three cliff dwellings (Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House). •Hike one or more of Mesa Verde's hiking trails.
Hiking
Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is restricted and allowed only on designated trails. Visitors may not enter cliff dwellings unless accompanied by a uniformed park ranger.
Morefield Trailheads Prater Ridge Trail 7.8 miles, round-trip Begins on the west end of Morefield Campground. The trail ascends Prater Ridge and follows a loop around the top of the ridge, returning via the same route. A cut-off trail can be taken which shortens the trail to five miles. Natural History: Changes in elevation and vegetation along with views of the surrounding area are highlights of this trail.
Knife Edge Trail 2 miles, round-trip The trail follows a section of the old Knife Edge Road, from the northwest corner of Morefield Campground towards the Montezuma Valley Overlook. This trail provides good views of Montezuma Valley and is an excellent place to watch a sunset. Trail guide available. Cultural History: Built in 1914 as the main access into the park, old-timers still proudly talk about what a feat it was to build, or "hang," a road on this steep bluff.
Point Lookout Trail 2.2 miles, round-trip The trail switchbacks up the back side of Point Lookout and traverses the top of the mesa. This trail provides excellent views of both Montezuma and Mancos valleys, as well as the surrounding countryside.
Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is restricted and allowed only on designated trails. Visitors may not enter cliff dwellings unless accompanied by a uniformed park ranger.
For additional information on hiking regulations and safety, click on.
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Chapin Mesa Trailheads Petroglyph Point Trail 2.4 miles, round-trip Begins from the Spruce Tree House trail, and continues below the edge of the plateau to a petroglyph panel, makes a climb to the top of the mesa and returns via the rim to the museum. This trail provides views of Spruce and Navajo Canyons and is the only trail in the park to view petroglyphs. Gate access to trail is only available when Spruce Tree House is open. Please contact a ranger for times the gate is open. Trail guide available. Registration required.
Spruce Canyon Trail 2.4 miles, round-trip Begins from the Spruce Tree House trail, follows the bottom of Spruce Tree Canyon, turns up Spruce Canyon, and returns to the museum via the picnic area. Gate access to this trail is only available when Spruce Tree House is open. Please contact a ranger for times the gate is open. Registration required. Natural History: The Spruce Canyon Trail offers an opportunity to explore the canyon bottoms of Mesa Verde and discover the plants and wildlife that live in this habitat.
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail 1.2 miles, round-trip Begins one mile north of the Balcony House parking area along the Cliff Palace Loop Road. The trail is an easy walk to the canyon edge and offers views of Balcony House and other archeological sites along Soda Canyon. Natural History: The trail goes through big sagebrush, Utah juniper, yucca, and gambel oak.This is a fairly low-growing, open area and will be hot in the summer.
Farming Terrace Trail .5 mile, round-trip Beginning and ending on the spur road to Cedar Tree Tower, this 1/2 mile loop leads to a series of prehistoric check dams built by the Ancestral Puebloans to create farming terraces. Natural History: This trail is a good place to look for lizards, hummingbirds, and a wide variety of plants.
Wetherill Mesa Trailheads (open Memorial Day to Labor Day) Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail 1 mile, round-trip This trail offers a leisurely stroll on the quietest trail in Mesa Verde, and leads to an overlook of Nordenskiold Site No. 16. The 2000 Pony Fire severely burned this area. As a result, there is no shade available along the trail. Trail guide available. Cultural History: In 1891, 23-year old Swedish scientist Gustaf Nordenskiold visited Mesa Verde. Using painstaking field methods for his time, he excavated many sites, including this one. His book, "The Cliff Dwellers of the Mesa Verde," was the first extensive examination and photographic record of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings.
The following cliff dwellings can only be visited by taking a ranger-guided tour. Tickets must be purchased in advanced at the Far View Visitor Center ($3.00 per person). Tours are strenuous. Due to high demand for tours during the busy summer season, choose only one tour per day between Cliff Palace and Balcony House. Long House may be visited on the same day as Cliff Palace or Balcony House. Please use the link at right to see a schedule of tours.
After the Far View Visitor Center closes in October, Cliff Palace tour tickets must be purchased at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.
Chapin Mesa
Cliff Palace Mesa Verde’s Largest Cliff Dwelling This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing five, 8-10ft (2.6-3m) ladders, on a 100ft (30m) vertical climb. Total walking distance is about 1/4-mile (400m), round-trip. The tour begins at Cliff Palace Overlook, an 8-mile (13km), 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center.
Balcony House Adventurous Cliff Dwelling Tour This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing a 32 ft. ladder, crawling through a 12ft.-long tunnel, and climbing up a 60ft (20m) open rock face with two 10ft (3m) ladders to exit the site. The tour begins at the Balcony House parking area, a 10-mile (16km), 25-minute drive from the Visitor Center.
Spruce Tree House Best-Preserved Cliff Dwelling (Early November to March) This cliff dwelling is open year-round, however during the winter months, it is available by free, ranger-guided tour only. This one-hour tour involves a 100ft (30m) descent and ascent on a winding path. Walking distance is 1/2-mile (1km) round trip. Tours begin at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. During the spring, summer, and fall (early March to early November), Spruce Tree House is available on a self-guided basis.
Wetherill Mesa (Open Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Long House Mesa Verde’s Most In-Depth Tour Starting with a tram ride to and from the trailhead, this 90-minute, ranger-guided tour involves climbing two 15ft (4.5m) ladders within the site. The round trip hike is 3/4 mile (1.2km), with a 130ft (40m) gain in elevation upon exiting. Tour begins at the Wetherill Mesa information kiosk, a 12-mile (19km) drive from the Visitor Center. Allow 45 minutes for this drive. Vehicles over 25-feet (8m) long are prohibited on this road.
ARAMARK Mesa Verde (Park Concession)
Motor Coach Tours Knowledgeable Aramark guides lead visitors on a learning adventure and share modern understanding and interpretation of the culture, architecture, and archeology of the Ancestral Puebloan people. These half and full-day tours start with the earliest pithouses and include a walk through Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling. Enjoy a bus ride in comfort to the park’s most fascinating sites. Your experienced guide will lead you on short hikes that stop at vantage points for spectacular photos. Tickets may be purchased at the Far View Visitor Center, Far View Lodge and Terrace, and Morefield Campground.
