Plan the Perfect Trip to Mesa Verde National Park: Complete Guide + One Day Itinerary
Tour Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings with this complete travel guide. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including, what to bring, how to get there, top things to do, & much more.
As one of Americas most unique national parks, Mesa Verde is for the true history lover. The park preserves nearly 5,000 archaeological sites, 600 cliff dwellings, and 26 pueblos and tribes dating back 1,400 years, making this park like no other.
The park sits at 7,000 feet and encompasses nearly 50,000 acres of sweeping vistas, rugged canyons, and slopping mesas in the Four Corners Region.
If you have just one day or a few days to spare, Mesa Verde National Park is worth a visit.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Mesa Verde
Getting to Mesa Verde
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Top Things to Do
One Day Itinerary
ABOUT MESA VERDE
Mesa Verde is a 52,000 acre national park located in southwest Colorado. It was established in 1906 and is the largest archeological preserve in the U.S. The most popular thing to do is tour Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, built between 1190 and 1280 CE and once home to 100 ancestral people. The park is split into two areas, Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa, and offers 30 miles of hiking trails, guided tours, scenic drives, overnight lodging, and night sky viewing.
No reservations are required to visit Mesa Verde National Park. However tickets are required to tour Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House.
ENTRANCE FEE
$30 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful National Park pass to enter for free.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They are allowed on Park Point Trail, Mesa Top Loop Sites, Long House Loop, and in the campground. They aren’t allowed on any other park trails, overlooks, or ancestral sites.
GETTING TO MESA VERDE
Mesa Verde is located in southwest Colorado near the Four Corners region. The park borders the Ute Mountain Reservation as well as several addition archeological sites, such as, Canyons of the Ancient, Yucca House National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument.
Cortez - 10 miles or 15 minutes
Durango - 35 miles or 40 minutes
Four Corners - 50 miles or 1 hour
Santa Fe - 247 miles or 4.5 hours
Denver - 371 miles or 6.5 hours
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Corez Municipal Airport
Durango La Plata County Airport
Four Corners Regional Airport
Denver International
Colorado Springs Airport
WHEN TO VISIT
SPRING & SUMMER
As the seasons change, spring temperatures can fluctuate from warm & sunny to cold & windy quickly with snow occurring as late as May. Summers are hot with temperatures reaching in the 90s. Afternoon thunderstorms occur frequently in July and August bringing heavy rain, lighting and wind. Tours and lodging inside Mesa Verde are available May to October.
FALL & WINTER
Falls brings fewer crowds and much colder days. Wetherill Mesa and Mesa Loop Roads are open. Winters are mild with high 40s and low 20s. Roads and trails may close due to weather.
Always check for current conditions before visiting Mesa Verde National Park.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love adding LMNT’s electrolyte packets to our insulated water bottles to stay hydrated for the whole day.
Sun Protectant
Most trails and overlooks in the park are completely exposed so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring Mesa Verde. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
Hiking Shoes
To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR & RESEARCH CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Mesa Verde National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, & museum exhibit.
FAR VIEW LODGE
Open Spring to Fall and offers scenic views over Mesa Verde. Several amenities such as the Far View Terrace Cafe, Far View Lounge, Metate Room, as well as pet friendly rooms and gift shop are available.
MOOREFIELD CAMPGROUND
Open Spring to Fall and the only developed campground inside the park. The campground has 267 sites each offering a picnic table and grill/firepit. 15 sites have full hookups, the rest are dry camping. Showers, laundry, water, dump station, and camp store are available at the Moorefield Village. Knife Edge Cafe offers breakfast. Cell signal is minimal.
Sites are $38 per night no hookups and $52 for full hookups.
Reservations can be made online or day of.
TOWNS NEARBY
CORTEZ
A small town near the Four Corners Region featuring several historic sites such as Crow Canyon Archeological Center, Canyons of the Ancient National Monument, and the Anasazi Heritage Center.
LODGING
Holiday Inn Express
Days Inn
Best Western
Baymont
Hampton Inn
OYO Hotel
Cozy Inn
Super 8
Retro Inn
Quality Inn
Econo Lodge
Travelodge
RV PARKS
La Mesa RV Park
Sundance RV Park
Cortez RV Resort
Westview RV Resort
FOOD
Safeway
City Market
Walmart
Family Dollar
Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant
Loungin Lizard
Gustavo’s Mexican Bar & Grill
Thai Cortez & Sushi
The Farm Bistro
Beny’s Diner
Mi Mexico
MANCOS
A small town in southwest colorado, known as the Gateway to Mesa Verde National Park.
LODGING
Mesa Verde Motel
Mancos Inn & Hostel
Ms. Kitty’s Country Inn
Outpost Motel Cabins & RV Park on the River
Echo Basin Cabins & RV Resort
Willowtall Springs
Starry Nights Ranch Bed & Breakfast
RV PARKS
Echo Basin Cabins & RV Resort
Outpost Motel, Cabins, & RV Park on the River
Riverwood RV Resort
FOOD
Columbine Bar & Grill
Chavolo’s Mexican Restaurant
Mancos Pizza Co.
Absolute Bakery & Cafe
Zuma Natural Foods
P & D Grocery
Family Dollar
TOP THINGS TO DO
Visitor Center & Exhibit
Start your exploration of Mesa Verde National Park at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map and check out the park movie to learn about the history and geology of Mesa Verde. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
Cliff Palace
Cliff Palace is North America’s largest cliff dwelling and the most notable feature of Mesa Verde National Park. Built between 1190 and 1280 CE, Cliff Palace was once home to 100 ancestral people. The short 0.25 mile trail climbs 4 ladders and can be accessed via a 30 minute Ranger Assisted Tour or a 1 hour Ranger Guided Tour. Tours of Cliff Palace are typically available mid May to mid October but vary each year depending upon closures and construction within the park.
Tickets can be purchased online 14 days in advance. Make sure you have a copy of your receipt as that will be proof of your ticket.
Balcony House
For those looking for a more adventurous tour in Mesa Verde, join a ranger on a 1 hour guided tour of Balcony House. This thrilling journey through an ancient dwelling scales a 60 foot open cliff face, climbs several 32 foot tall ladders, and squeezes through narrow tunnels, making this tour one of the most unique in Mesa Verde. Tickets can be purchased online 14 days in advance.
Square Tower House
The tallest standing structure in the park, Square Tower House contains the original paint and plaster used to create this ancient cliff dwelling. Square Tower House can be seen via the Square Tower House Overlook on Mesa Loop Road or via the 90 minute guided tour. Tours are available Thursday to Saturday from June through October and features steep drop offs, tall ladders, and a 100 foot descent into the canyon.
Spruce Tree House
Spruce Tree House is the best preserved cliff dwelling found in Mesa Verde National Park. It can be seen year round via the Spruce Tree House Overlook, located right next to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.
Step House
The only cliff dwelling accessible without a tour. Step House is located on Wetherill Mesa and is a 1 mile round trip hike that descends 100 feet down toward Step House. The dwelling features a short ladder you can climb and showcases pit houses and petroglyphs.
Long House
The second largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, Long House features 150 rooms, 21 kivas, and two 15 foot ladders. It’s located on Wetherill Mesa and is accessible via a 2 hour guided tour. Long House tours are closed for the 2023 season.
Mesa Loop Road
Mesa Loop Road is a 6 mile scenic drive along Chapin Mesa, where visitors can explore scenic overlooks of Cliff Palace, Square Tower House and several other cliff dwellings. The drive also features access to short trails to view ancestral sites such as Pit Houses and Villages.
For a guided audio tour, check out “A Pueblo Perspective on Mesa Verde”, available for download on the park website.
Wetherill Mesa Drive
Wetherill Mesa is a 12 mile scenic drive that winds up and over mesas, past steep drop offs, and up to Step House and Long House. The drive features several scenic overlooks and hiking trails to explore such as Badger House Community, Rock Canyon Tower View, and Long House Loop. Wetherill Mesa Drive will be closed for the 2023 season.
Get on a Trail
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Mesa Verde National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Mesa Verde has something for everyone.
For easy trails consider | Knife Edge, Soda Canyon Overlook, Farming Terrace, Far View Sites, Cedar Tree Tower
For moderate trails consider | Point Lookout, Step House, Badger House Community, Long House
For strenuous trails consider | Petroglyph Point, Spruce Canyon, Nordenskiold Site No.16, Prate Ridge
Experience the Night Sky
For a memorial experience, stay overnight in Mesa Verde at the Moorefield Campground or the Far View Lodge and experience what a truly dark sky looks like.
Join the evening campground program or enjoy the night sky from an overlook.
Junior Ranger Program
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Mesa Verde National Park then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
Parks as Classrooms
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
If possible, book a tour in advance, such as, Cliff Palace, or Balcony House.
Stop 1. Check out the Visitor Center.
Stop 2. Check out a couple overlooks, such as, Mancos Valley, Montezuma Valley, and Park Point.
Stop 3. Head down to Spruce Tree House and the Chapin Archeological Museum.
Stop 4. Jump on the Mesa Top Loop Road and check out Square Tower House, Pit Houses, and Cliff Palace from Sun Temple.
Stop 5. Cliff Palace or Balcony House Tour.
Stop 6. Lunch at Far View Terrace.
Stop 7. Jump on the Wetherill Mesa Road and take the 1 mile hike to Step House.
Stop 8. If possible, stay overnight at the Far View Lodge or Moorefield Campground.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Mesa Verde National Park.
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WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
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