Mesa Verde National Park Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado has over 5000 archaeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings. The park was created in 1906 to preserve the houses of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the area for nearly 700 years.

A Mesa Verde National Park trip is packed with action and adventure. Best known for its massive cliff dwellings, the Cliff Palace is one of the park’s main attractions. Several trails offer views of the park’s cliff dwellings, but a ranger-guided tour is necessary for an up-close look at the ruins.

Mesa Verde National Park Visitor Center

The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, is the starting point for your journey through the park. The center features a range of exhibits that look into the ancestral Puebloan life and culture. Tickets for Cliff Palace, Balcony, and Long House guided tours can be purchased at the center. Maps and gifts are also available here.

Ranger-Led Tours

The national park’s three most important and popular attractions can only be visited on a ranger-guided tour. Tours allow visitors to climb up and into the cliff dwellings. You must do all three on a single day or space them out over two days. Treks are strenuous and involve a great deal of walking and climbing.

Driving Tours of the Park

We suggest taking the Mesa Loop Road or the Cliff Palace Loop Road for a self-guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park. Paved trails lead from the road to archaeological sites, smaller dwellings, and several overlooks with spectacular views of the cliff dwellings. If you only have one day to explore the park driving the loop roads is your best choice.

Hiking Trails

While hiking is permitted only on designated trails, it’s a great way to explore the park. Try the 8-mile round trip Prater Ridge Trail for a long hike. The Knife Edge Trail is short, at 2.2 miles, and provides impressive views of the Montezuma Valley. The Petroglyph Point Trail in Chapin Mesa is 2.4 miles round trip. It’s an adventurous trail that offers views of the Spruce and Navajo Canyons.

Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum

The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum is twenty miles from the park entrance, displaying dioramas that showcase Ancestral Puebloan life. Check out the many exhibits at the museum that include prehistoric artifacts, a timeline of the Pueblo people, and other cultural artifacts. Just outside the museum is the Spruce Tree House, the third largest and best-preserved cliff dwelling.

Getting To Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is in Southwestern Colorado. The park is about two hours from Durango, Colorado, on Highway 160. The park is open year-round, but tours of the cliff dwellings are only available during the summer. Visit the park’s websites for up-to-date information on hours and road conditions.

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