Grand Circle Association

Overview

Mesa Verde National Park is a chance for visitors to explore an ancient world that differs so drastically from our own today. Once inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans, in pre-European times and for over 700 years, Mesa Verde is a large collection of entire villages, artifacts, and intact buildings and gathering centers that were built high into the sandstone cliffs. It is one of the most fascinating and unique historical areas. It is located in the heart of the West, the Colorado Plateau, and is surrounded by a variety of recreation to participate in, including world-class hiking, canyoneering, rock climbing, biking, and more.

Key Attractions

• Cliff dwellings - enjoy guided tours (some self-guided) of ancient Ancestral Puebloan buildings and living quarters

  • Cliff Palace – largest of the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings – tickets must be purchased at the Far View Visitor Center (open mid-April to mid-October)

  • Balcony House – this cliff dwelling is for the more adventurous visitors, requiring steeper and longer climbs – tickets must be purchased at the Far View Visitor Center (open mid-April to mid-October)

  • Spruce Tree House – this is the most well-preserved cliff dwelling at Mesa Verde National Park – self-guided in spring, summer, and fall – shorter distance

  • Long House – involves a tram ride to the trailhead – tickets must be purchased at the Far View Visitor Center (open mid-April to mid-October)

  • Step House – self-guided tour (spring, summer, fall) – people occupied this cliff dwelling at 2 separate times, around 626 A.D. and then again at around 1226 A.D.

• Park Point – visitors can reach the highest point of elevation in the park and enjoy a unique and beautiful 360 degree panoramic view

• Evening programs for visitors – provides opportunities to learn about the history and culture of the area, and the history of the national park

• Several

Location

• Located in Southwestern Colorado

• 1 hour away from Cortez, CO, 1.5 hours away from Durango, CO

• Mesa Verde National Park is located near these other significant destinations:

  • Four Corners National Monument – the only place in the United States where you can stand in 4 different states at once – where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona touch

  • Monument Valley, UT - one of the most famous and iconic places in the West, home to the Navajo reservation and markets, displaying unique geologic formations of towering sandstone buttes and desert valley floors

  • Relatively close to all 5 of Utah’s spectacular national parks, including the very close Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park

  • Close to several outstanding and unique parks and monuments, including, Utah’s Natural Bridges National Monument, New Mexico’s Aztec Ruins National Park, Chaco Canyon National Monument, Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument

  • Anazazi Heritiage Center in Dolores, CO – museum with exhibits, videos, active activities, lectures, and demonstrations – education about the history and culture of the Four Corners area

  • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (CO) – vintage locomotives, a historic museum, and spectacular views

Other Information

• View website

• View a map

• Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and the Spruce Tree House are open year-round; Wetherill Mesa, Far View Visitor Center, and some other destinations and overnight accommodations are closed during winter months; late spring, summer, and early fall are the best seasons to visit Mesa Verde National Park

• Operating hours and seasons & visitor’s guide here

• Fees & reservation information here