15 Best Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park
Check our list of the 15 Best Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park if you plan a trip to Colorado. Our detailed guide with lots of tips and the best things to do in Mesa Verde will help you prepare for vacation. We tell you how to visit the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. What to see and how to visit this place? Which tickets are required for sightseeing cliff dwellings, and how to get them? And much more. So, check our guide to enjoy your stay at Mesa Verde.
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What is Mesa Verde National Park famous for?
Mesa Verde means “green table” (Spanish). This place has huge historical importance. Mesa Verde National Park is not only an American national park but also a park on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mesa Verde is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States, Colorado, which protects some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the United States.
There are more than 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings of Ancestral Puebloans who lived here from AD 600 to 1300. One of the most magnificent structures is Cliff Palace, thought to be the largest cliff dwelling in North America.
Congress and President Theodore Roosevelt established Mesa Verde National Park in 1906. The park occupies 52,485 acres (21,240 ha).
Chris and I visited and explored Mesa Verde National Park during our Colorado Road Trip. We were there at the beginning of May, which was low season, so we enjoyed the park with fewer tourists. Therefore, we share our observations and tips on how to spend the best time in this park. We also present photos we took.
Mesa Verde National Park Directions
Mesa Verde National Park is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, near the Four Corners region of the American Southwest.
You can visit it during the Colorado road trip – here, you can check our detailed Colorado itinerary.
You can also add this park to your New Mexico, Utah, or Arizona itinerary. It’s located close to the border to each of those states.
PRO TIP: Below, we give you approximately the driving time to the park entrance gate. But please note that it takes at least 1 hour to drive from the entrance gate to the cliff dwellings. The road is narrow and climbs upwards like a serpentine, so drive carefully.
- From Cortez, CO is only 10 miles and 15 minutes of driving to Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center. Take US-160 E to get there.
- From Mancos, CO, is 8 miles and 10 minutes driving to the park entrance via US-160 W.
- From Durango, CO is 36 miles and about 40 minutes driving via US-160 W.
- If you are going from Shiprock, NM, take US-491 N and US-160 E. It’s 53 miles and one hour of driving.
- From Page, AZ, take AZ-98 E and US-160 E. It’s 225 miles and approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of driving to Mesa Verde.
- If you go from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, take AZ-64 W to Cameron, then US-89 N and US-160 E. It’s 255 miles and at least 4 hours of driving.
- From Moab, UT, take US-191 S and US-491 S. It’s about 125 miles and 2 hours and 15 minutes of driving to Mesa Verde.
Remember that it takes at least 1-hour to drive from the entrance gate to the cliff dwellings.
What is the best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park?
Mesa Verde National Park is open all year round. But the best months for a visit are definitely late Spring and Fall. The weather is much nicer for hiking when it is not sweltering. Moreover, the park is less crowded.
Summer in Mesa Verde National Park
Summer is the peak season. Daytime summer temperatures can reach 90-100F, so drink plenty of water. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.
Winter & Early Spring in Mesa Verde National Park
In Winter and early Spring, some attractions are closed for tourists. But winter is also a great time to visit Mesa Verde National Park. Most important is to know, that cliff-dwelling tours are not operated in winter. But you can admire many cliff dwellings from overlooks. The weather in winter is mild, so it’s good to consider a visit.
How prepare to visit Mesa Verde?
While in Mesa Verde, you will be traveling between 7000 feet (2134 m) and 8400 feet (2560 m) in elevation, and weather can change quickly. So wear layers, and pack something warm for sudden winds and weather breaks. Check our Day Hiking Packing List and weather forecast before your visit to Mesa Verde.
Considering the time of day, make sure you have time to explore Mesa Verde National Park in the early afternoon and afternoon. The best light then falls on the cliffs’ dwellings. They are illuminated with warm golden and orange colors.
How long do you need at Mesa Verde National Park?
The minimum time you should spend on a quick visit to Mesa Verde National Park is at least half a day. Reserve 3-5 hours for a quick visit during your Colorado Road Trip. It’s enough for self-guided sightseeing, driving through the park road, and stopping at all viewpoints. But you won’t have too much time for hiking.
Since Mesa Verde has an amazing history, it is worth finding out as much as possible about this place. So, consider the 700-Year Tour – Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour. You will learn details about the rise of unusual houses on the cliffs. You will hear how people lived in them, what they did, and much more. Thanks to this, you will gain valuable knowledge. The tour takes 4.5 hours, a departure from Mancos, so it is perfect if your time visiting Mesa Verde is limited.
The park has several interesting trails, so it is worth spending at least 1 day there. But even for 2 – 3 days, you can explore and enjoy this amazing landmark, especially if you are lucky and got Cliff Dwelling Tour Tickets.
Mesa Verde National Park Entrance Fee
As with any US national park, Mesa Verde has a fee. Entrance Fees for private vehicles are $30.00 from May 1 through October 31 and $20.00 per vehicle from November 1 through April 30. The fee is good for entrance to Mesa Verde National Park for up to seven days.
It pays to purchase Annual America the Beautiful Pass if you plan to visit several national or state parks over the year. It is only $79.99. Moreover, it is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country, including all national parks. The pass is valid for 1 year from the month of purchase.
If you plan to visit more national parks in Colorado, check out our Colorado Road Trip Itinerary with lots of tips and inspirations.
15 Best Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park
You can explore Mesa Verde National Park on your own or by booking a guided tour. But there are some differences in what is allowed. Below, we describe the possibilities of visiting this national park and suggest spending your time in it most effectively and interestingly. So, check our best things to do in Mesa Verde.
Please, note that some things to do in Mesa Verde vary from season to season. Some attractions in Mesa Verde are closed during winter, and some are also vary depending on the month. So, before your visit, check on the official website what is open. Below you will find a description for all attractions open from May through October.
Here you can check what’s going on in late Fall in Mesa Verde. And here is what is open during Winter, including winter activities like nordic/cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking opportunities.
Cliff Dwelling Tour Tickets
Most important before your visit to Mesa Verde is to know that those cliff dwellings can be entered only on a ticketed tour with a ranger. The one cliff dwelling that can be visited without a tour is Step House on Wetherill Mesa. So if you want to enter some of the cliff dwellings, you must purchase your ticket ahead.
It’s not easy to get them because demand is very high. Limits arise from the need to protect these ancient structures, already decaying, for future generations. In addition, they are very delicate, still damaged by weather conditions. The 2024 tour season will run from May 1 through October 22.
How to buy a ticket?
You can purchase your tour tickets 14 days in advance on Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
There are several types of ranger-guided tours to several different cliffs dwellings of varying difficulty and length. Prices vary too, ranging from $8 to $55 per person.
A detailed description you will find on the official website of Mesa Verde. The best option is to buy tickets to Cliff Palace, Long House, Mug House, or Square Tower House.
Comercial Mesa Verde Tours
If you fail to book a ranger tour for your visit but you want to learn about the mysterious history of Mesa Verde, you can also consider buying a commercial tour.
They offer guided tours, thanks to which you will learn about the extraordinary history of this place. These tours are also worth buying in advance as it might be a chance to visit Cliff Palace during these trips. But it depends on availability. The park has limited the season schedule and the capacity of the tours to Cliff Palace Ruins.
You can choose:
Self-Guided Tours in Mesa Verde National Park
You can explore Mesa Verde on your own. You do not need to purchase an organized trip. The only difference is that you cannot enter most of the cliff dwellings. But you can admire them from their viewpoints.
The one cliff dwelling that can be visited without a tour is Step House on Wetherill Mesa. Moreover, you can do some short hikes to amazing archeological sites. So check out our tips on how to sightsee a Mesa Verde on your own.
Drive slowly. The road is like a serpentine, and there might be a lot of wildlife.
Start your trip from Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center should be your first stop before your visit. You can take actual maps from here, check current weather and road conditions, and ask the ranger about hiking trails. It is located near the park entrance, just off US 160. The visitor Center also houses a museum collection of exhibits about the richness of Ancestral Puebloan culture and daily life. So, it’s a perfect place to learn about Mesa Verde. You will also find a bookstore and souvenir shop. Due to COVID-19, the center was closed, so check before your visit to see if it is already open.
Pro Tip: The park has two parts: Chapin Mesa and the Wetherill Mesa area. If you only have half a day to visit, start from Mesa Top Ruin Road and focus on the Chapin Mesa part. Then, go to the second part.
Visit Chapin Mesa
- Take Mesa Top Loop Road. For sure is one of the best things to do in Mesa Verde. The Mesa Top Loop Road is open daily from 8:00 am to sunset. It is a 6-mile (10 km) drive. During this trip, you can admire 700 years of Mesa Verde history. The highlights are the Square Tower House Overlook and views of Cliff Palace from Sun Point View and Sun Temple. Along the road, you’ll find short, easily accessible paved trails to view twelve archeological sites. So you can imagine how people lived here.
- Admire Spruce Tree House. You will get the best views of Spruce Tree House from viewpoints near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. It’s worth your stop because Spruce Tree House is the best-preserved cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde.
- Visit Far View Sites Complex. A drive through Chapin Mesa is worth stopping at Five Mesa Top Villages & Far View Reservoir. This part of the mesa top community includes the Far View House, four other villages, and a dry reservoir. In ancient times, the community was a place of modest homes interspersed with small farm fields. It was filled with people, vibrant life, and constant change. During this short 3/4 mile trail (1,2 km), you can learn about Ancestral Pueblo life between 900 to 1300 CE.
- Don’t miss Cedar Tree Tower. Stop also at Mesa Top Tower and Kiva. You can spot an Ancestral Puebloan tower and the kiva complex from a parking area. Nearby is also the 0.5-mile (0.8 km) Farming Terrace Loop trail. It leads you through a series of ancient check dams built by the Ancestral Pueblo people.
Visit Wetherill Mesa
- Take the Wetherill Mesa Road. But, please note that the road is currently open from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.
- Take the Badger House Trail. The trail to Four Mesa Top Sites is an easy 2.25 mile (3.6 km) round-trip trail through Badger House Community surface sites. It begins at Wetherill Mesa Kiosk. It’s available from early May to late October.
- Visit Step House. The place offers Pithouse, Petroglyphs, and Cliff Dwelling. But most important is to know that Step House is only open as staffing allows. We had no chance to visit it. There is a 100 foot (30 m) descent and ascent on a winding path. The total walking distance is about one mile (1.6 km) round-trip. The trail begins near the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk.
Go for a hike in Mesa Verde National Park
If you have more than half a day to visit Mesa Verde National Park, consider one or two hiking trails in the park. You can choose from a dozen of them, of varying length and difficulty.
The best hiking trails in Mesa Verde National Park are:
- Knife Edge Trail, which is 2 miles (3.2km) round-trip
- Point Lookout Trail, which is 2.2 miles (3.5km) round-trip
- Petroglyph Point Trail, which is 2.4 miles (3.9km) round-trip
- Spruce Canyon Trail, which is 2.4 miles (3.9km) round-trip
- Badger House Community Trail, which is 2.25 miles (3.6km) round-trip
- Long House Loop Trail is 6 miles (10 km) round-trip.
Trail map and profile for each hike and trail description you can check on the NPS website. You can also download maps.
Mesa Verde Hiking Tips
If you decide to hike in Mesa Verde National Park, prepare for it depending on the season of your visit. It seems like easy and short hikes, but they are not easy. Moreover, you can get very tired due to the elevation. Some of hikes are moderate to strenuous.
It can be hot in summer, but it can also be windy. There might be violent storms. You will be hiking in elevation areas from 7000 to 8572 feet (2130 to 2613 meters).
For sure, take a lot of water and stay hydrated. Pack some snacks. Wear layers. Even in summer, be prepared for weather breakdowns. Trekking poles will be useful. Trails can be muddy and slippery after summer rains and winter snow. So, remember to wear comfortable hiking shoes with a good grip. Remember about sun protection. On this elevation, a hiking hut and sunscreen are a must. Check our hiking packing list to prepare for your adventure.
Best Things to do in Mesa Verde – where to stay?
Hotels near Mesa Verde National Park
You will find the greatest choice of accommodation in Cortez and Durango. Both places are worth stopping at. In Cortez, we stayed in Retro Inn at Mesa Verde, and we can highly recommend it. In Durango – Adventure Inn.
Mesa Verde National Park Camping
Morefield Campground
You can also consider camping overnight. Morefield Campground is just four miles inside Mesa Verde. It offers 267 sites. Moreover, each site has a table, bench, and grill. Camping is open to tents, trailers, and RVs, including 15 full hookup RV sites.
It’s open from May 1 to September 30. After season from April 15 to April 30 and October 1 to October 15 is Off-Season Limited Camping Only (no services).
To make reservations call 1-800-449-2288 or visit the official Morefield Campground website.
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I knew nothing about Mesa Verde before reading this blog post. It was fascinating to read that there are over 5000 archaeological sites. We found the cliff dwellings interesting when we visited the Montezuma Castle National Monument in Arizona so would be interesting to see more. The ones at Mesa Verde look much greater in size. I am sure a one day visit would just pique our interest to see more. Great to know there are so many different trails to see this site.
Wow more than 5000 archaeological sites, that is absolutely gold. I have never heard of Mesa Verde National Park and honestly I have not been to Colorado ever but have had it on my list. I will make sure I add this to my list and spend at least half a day there. I will look forward to walking around and spending time at the place.
I had the opportunity to visit Mesa Verde on a cross country road trip 10 years ago. It was one of the most fascinating national parks that I have been to. The cliff dwellings are amazing and I am so thankful that they have been preserved through the years. I didn’t realize hiking was a thing in the area or I would have taken advantage of that while I was there!
I wanted to visit Mesa Verde since I read “Ill Wind” by Nevada Barr, a crime novel that takes place at the National Park. Good to know, that you have to book a guided tour to enter the cave dwellings. I would love to spent a few days hiking on my own, but also do a guided tour.
I’ve only been to one national park in America, and you’ve given me another to add to the list! Mesa Verde is incredible, and has a good range of activities, not just hiking. The village and tower is spectacular to see, and your photos do them justice.
what a great and well-informed blog. thanks, guys! We were going to head there in a few weeks and didn’t know about those advanced reservations, so I am glad we read your post. let’s hope there are still a few available.
What a magnificent place! Those cave dwellings are incredible! The closest I came here was when I visited Grand Canyon National Park and a ranger showed us some cave dwellings in the distance. I could hardly see them though. It looks like here you can actually get pretty close to them!
Great to know more about Mesa Verde National Park. Like many others in US this too seems a fabulous destination. With over 5000 archaeological sites this must be an amazing place to visit. The cliff dwellings are certainly very interesting. Exploring some of the trails would really be heartwarming.
We were fortunate to have visited Mesa Verde from our base in Pagosa Springs. My comment? It should be a more popular national park if it were more accessible, not tucked out there.
What an amazing trip. Visiting cliff dwellings is one of the things on my bucket list.
That must be a very large park if the gate is one hour away from the main attraction! I was glad to read your post and take note of your tips because this is a place I would very much like to visit.
Such a large archeological preserve. But it us a bit remote. Maybe that’s why it isn’t as famous.
I’ve not visited many national parks in America, but Mesa Verde looks so fascinating. Cliff Dwellings are incredible, and is somewhere I’d like to book a tour for. Great tips for hikers and visitors, sometimes we forget these things.
What I like about USA is the sheer number of national parks. Everyone of them well maintained. Thanks for this detailed guide on Mesa Verde.
This article was great for me to learn more about Mesa Verde, it looks beautiful! 5000 archaeological sites will surely keep you busy while visiting. Great to see there is so much to do!