Rocky Mountain Region
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Welcome to Mesa Verde National Park, a captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southwestern Colorado. Spanning over 52,000 acres, Mesa Verde is renowned for its exceptionally preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, which date back over 700 years. Here’s your comprehensive guide to exploring this fascinating archaeological wonder:
Basic Facts
Address:
34879 Hwy 160
Mancos, CO 81328
Operation Hours and Seasons:
The park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round. Some facilities might be closed in winter.
Visitors:
Approximately 650,000 per year (2021)
Entrance Fees:
Private Vehicle – $30.00 admits one private, non-commercial vehicle and all its occupants
Per Person – $15.00
Website:
nps.gov/meve
Map:
nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Additional Information:
For additional local information, visit visitmesaverde.com
Getting there
Mesa Verde National Park is easily accessible by car:
From the west, take US Highway 160 from Cortez, Colorado, to the park entrance.
From the east, take US Highway 160 from Durango, Colorado, to the park entrance.
Weather
Mesa Verde National Park experiences a high desert climate, characterized by mild winters and warm summers. Here’s an overview of the average weather throughout the year:
Spring (March – May):
- Mild temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C).
- Occasional rain showers, with an average precipitation of around 1 to 2 inches per month.
- Ideal for hiking and exploring the park’s archaeological sites.
Summer (June – August):
- Warm and dry weather, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 80°F (27°C) and occasionally reaching over 90°F (32°C).
- Clear skies and minimal rainfall, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
- Crowds peak during the summer months, so plan accordingly.
Fall (September – November):
- Mild temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C).
- Crisp mornings and cooler evenings, with temperatures dropping into the 40s°F (4-9°C).
- Fall foliage adds vibrant colors to the landscape, making it a picturesque time to visit.
Winter (December – February):
- Cold temperatures, with daytime highs averaging between 35°F to 45°F (2°C to 7°C).
- Occasional snowfall, with an average snow depth of around 8 to 12 inches.
- Some facilities and roads may be closed during winter months, so check ahead before planning your visit.
Let’s dive into the various activities you can enjoy during your visit:
Hiking
Mesa Verde offers a variety of hiking trails that lead to ancient ruins, mesa-top vistas, and natural landmarks. Please keep in mind that it is illegal to hike off trail in Mesa Verde. Stay on designated trails. Here are some recommended hikes:
- Petroglyph Point: The gated! trail head is located at the Chapin Mesa Archeological museum. Make sure to check online before arriving. Hikers are supposed to register at the gate. This moderate 2.6-mile round trip offers some views of Spruce Tree House
- Point Lookout Trail: This 2.2-miles round trip hike offers stunning vistas of the Montezuma Valley and the San Juan Mountains. It’s an excellent choice for capturing panoramic landscape photographs.
Guided Cliff Dwelling Tours
A visit to Mesa Verde would be incomplete without a tour of Cliff Palace and / or Balcony House:
- Cliff Palace: Cliff palace is the most iconic and largest under-the rim cliff dwelling. Ranger-led tours are conducted daily between May and mid-September. Witness the architectural marvels of the ancient Puebloans while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding canyons. You must be able to climb several ladders. Tickets can be purchased up to two days in advance at any of the park’s visitor centers or at the Durango Welcome Center in nearby Durango.
- Balcony House Trail: Balcony House is a smaller structure Cliff Palace. However, this tour is the more adventurous one. You will climb a 100-ft staircase into the canyon, clamber through a 12-ft long tunnel and climb a 32-ft ladder. Tickets are available in the locations mentioned afore.
Photography
Mesa Verde is a treasure trove for photographers, especially those interested in ancient history and rugged landscapes. Here are some photography highlights:
- Cliff Dwellings: Capture the unique architecture of the cliff dwellings against the sandstone cliffs. Early morning and late afternoon light can enhance the textures and colors of the structures.
- Sunset at Far View Sites: The Far View Sites offer distant views of the La Plata Mountains and are a fantastic spot for photographing the sunsets over the vast landscape.
- Wildlife Photography: Mesa Verde is home to diverse wildlife, including mule deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. Keep your camera ready to capture these creatures in their natural habitat.
Horseback Riding
While Mesa Verde National Park does not offer horseback riding within the park, guided horseback tours are available from outfitters in the nearby towns of Mancos and Cortez, offering scenic rides through the park’s backcountry. There was a herd of introduced horses in the park. However, as they were considered feral or trespassing livestock, they never became protected wildlife. They caused damage to the cultural sites and the park decided to remove the horses by the end of 2024.
General Aviation
As a private pilot, you can experience Mesa Verde National Park from a bird’s-eye view by flying into the Cortez Municipal Airport (KCEZ), located just a short distance from the park.
The airport offers facilities for general aviation pilots, including fuel services, tie-down areas, and vehicle rentals in the vicinity of the airport. The airport sits at 5,918ft MSL. Always consider density altitude.
Enjoy stunning aerial views of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings, rugged canyons, and expansive landscapes as you approach the airport.
Before your flight, familiarize yourself with airspace restrictions and weather conditions in the area, and consider arranging for transportation to explore the park once you land.
Important Tips
- Etiquette: Mesa Verde is sacred to more than 25 tribes. Please be respectful, stay on trails and do not take any cultural or natural resources
- Reservations: Some ranger-led tours and programs require reservations in advance, especially during peak season. Be sure to check availability and book early to secure your spot.
- Guided Tours: Consider joining guided tours to gain deeper insights into Mesa Verde’s history and archaeology from knowledgeable park rangers.
- Weather and Altitude: Be prepared for changing weather conditions and the park’s high elevation (6,000 to 8,572 feet). Dress in layers and stay hydrated, especially during summer months.
- Preservation: Mesa Verde’s archaeological sites are fragile and irreplaceable. Adhere to all posted regulations and stay on designated paths to protect these historical treasures.
- Park Information: Visit the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center to obtain trail maps, information on ranger-led programs, and any other updates.
- Environmental Conservation: Help preserve Mesa Verde’s fragile ecosystem by respecting park regulations, staying on designated trails, and minimizing your impact on the environment. Pack out all trash, avoid disturbing wildlife, and refrain from picking or touching archaeological artifacts.
- Permits and Regulations: Before engaging in any activities in Mesa Verde National Park, familiarize yourself with park regulations, permit requirements, and safety guidelines. Obtain necessary permits for hiking, camping, and horseback riding, and adhere to all posted signs and instructions from park rangers
- Scenic Drives: Take a leisurely drive along the Mesa Top Loop Road or the Chapin Mesa Loop Road to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and visit archaeological sites along the way. Stop at overlooks like Sun Point and Park Point for breathtaking vistas of the Montezuma Valley and distant mountain ranges.
- Cultural Demonstrations: Experience the rich cultural heritage of the ancestral Puebloan people through ranger-led demonstrations and interpretive programs. Watch demonstrations of traditional pottery making, basket weaving, and other ancient crafts at the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum.
Mesa Verde National Park is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders and natural beauty, offering visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore the ancient culture of the Southwest. Whether you’re marveling at cliff dwellings, hiking scenic trails, or immersing yourself in Puebloan history, Mesa Verde promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of the American Southwest.
My personal experience
I had learned about the Apache, Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux tribes at school but little did I know about the Anasazi or Ancestral Puebloans. Not to mention that I hadn’t seen a cliff dwelling before my visit. If you are physically able to, get a ticket, join a Ranger-led tour, climb ladders and travel back in time to 1200 AD. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn so much about this sophisticated society. The Anasazi were originally nomadic hunter-gatherers but eventually adopted agriculture and settled in the cliff dwellings. Fascinating what people were able to built without all the modern tools and equipments. Listening to the Ranger, the whole place came alive. It really felt like being there in 1200 AD. It’s amazing what we found out from archeological records but one big question remains: why did they leave and abandon the cliff dwellings around 1300 BC? Was there a drought that forced them to move or did the alien mothership return and picked them up? Curious? Go there, listen, learn, and find out.
