Nestled in the rugged landscape of southwestern Colorado, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. With over 5,000 archaeological sites, including the iconic Cliff Palace, visitors can delve into ancient history while marveling at the ingenuity of a civilization that thrived in this harsh yet breathtaking environment. Whether you’re hiking scenic trails, taking guided tours, or simply soaking in the panoramic views, Mesa Verde offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural history that leaves a lasting impression. In this travel guide, you will find all the best things to see and do at Mesa Verde National Park and a sample itinerary to help you plan your adventure.
When to Go
Mesa Verde National Park is the most crowded from mid-June through August. During these months, expect to wait in longer lines and have difficulty finding tour tickets and parking spots. The best times to visit the park are late May, early June, late September, and early October. During these times, the park is not as crowded and the weather is comfortable. The coveted cliff-dwelling tours operate from mid-May through mid-October. Without a tour, visitors must view the dwellings from afar.
Where to Stay
Camping
Morefield Campground
The only camping option within the park and located only four miles from the park entrance, Morefield Campground is a great choice for campers. Each of the campground’s 267 sites has a table, bench, and grill. Camping is open to tents, trailers, vans, and RVs, including 15 full-hook-up RV sites. There is a gas station, RV dumping station, coin-operated laundry, complimentary showers, a gift shop, a grocery store, and a café. The campground is open from mid-May through mid-October. You can find more information and make reservations here.
West View RV Resort
Located approximately 11 miles from the park entrance, West View RV Resort offers several amenities for a comfortable stay. The campground has 93 full-service RV sites and eight cabins. There is a salon, two dog parks, free Wi-Fi, coin-operated laundry, and private showers and bathrooms. You can find more information and make reservations here.
Bright Star Campground
A vacation campground located on 40 acres with plenty of amenities and wide-open spaces, Bright Star Campground is located approximately 14 miles from the park entrance. Amenities include hot showers, a community kitchen, and a hang-out space with hammocks, tables, and activities. They also offer free Wi-Fi, drinking water, ice, and coffee. Accommodations include tipis, cabins, and tent and RV sites. You can find more information and make reservations here.
Lodging
Far View Lodge
Far View Lodge is located in the center of the park approximately 15 miles from the park entrance. It is the only lodging inside the park. Every room has a balcony with the Kiva Deluxe rooms offering the best views. Hotel amenities include on-site dining, a lounge, a gift shop, and free parking. Room amenities include a private bathroom, private balcony, mini fridge, and coffee maker. The rooms are basic but comfortable. You can find more information and make reservations here.
Retro Inn at Mesa Verde
This fun and quirky inn offers a ton of amenities with cute decorations that will surely give you nostalgia. You will find a ton of activities to keep you busy here – horseshoes, ping pong, lawn bowling, badminton, volleyball, giant chess, board games, pool tables, foosball, and retro video games. There is also an outdoor theater, picnic area, and garden. Each room at the Retro Inn is inspired by a decade and includes a mini fridge, coffee maker, photo ops, and free Wi-Fi. The inn is located nine miles from the park entrance. You can find more information and make reservations here.
The 4 Corners Tiny House
Located approximately 20 minutes from the park entrance, this adorable tiny home offers a comfortable stay in a beautiful setting. The tiny home includes a stocked kitchen with a microwave, dual hot plate, and sink. There is also a full-sized loft bed that can only be accessed by climbing up and down a tall ladder and a full-size bathroom and shower. Watch the sunset over the Ute Mountain from your front door or around the fire pit while sitting on Adirondack chairs. You can find more information and make reservations here.
What To See and Do
Wetherill Mesa Road
This 12-mile scenic road is narrow, steep, and winding. The drive has several pull-offs and overlooks that provide spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and neighboring states. In addition to scenic overlooks, you will find hiking trails and archeological sites. The road takes approximately 45 minutes to drive and is not suitable for large RVs or bicycles. It is generally open from April through October depending on the weather conditions.
Step House
Step House is reached via a paved but steep trail that is .75 miles. The Step House Trailhead is located next to the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk. The unique feature of this site is that it shows evidence of two separate occupations: basket makers around 626 and masonries a full 600 years later. Allow approximately 45 minutes to visit Step House.
Long House
The second largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, Long House has about 150 rooms, 21 kivas, and a row of upper storage rooms. It is believed that 150 to 175 people lived in Long House and that it was a public place where people from all over Wetherill Mesa gathered to trade or hold community events. Long House can only be accessed via a two-hour ranger-guided tour. This tour involves hiking at least 2.25 miles and climbing two 15-foot ladders. Tour tickets are available 14 days in advance at 8:00 A.M. MDT. It is recommended that visitors reserve tickets as soon as they become available due to high demand. For more information, visit the National Park Website.
Far View Sites Complex
The Far View Sites Complex was likely the most densely populated area in Mesa Verde, comprising as many as 50 villages in a half-square mile area. Most of the sites here were built between 900 and 1300. The Ancestral Pueblo people were living in this area for at least 200 years before they began building the more famous Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. Today, several excavated sites are linked by a short and easy trail system. These sites include Far View House, Pip Shrine House, Coyote Village, Far View Reservoir, Megalithic House, and Far View Tower.
Spruce Tree House
The third largest cliff dwelling and the best preserved in the park, Spruce Tree House was constructed between 1211 and 1278. This site contains about 130 rooms and eight ceremonial chambers built into a natural alcove. It is believed to have been home to about 60 to 80 people. Unfortunately, the Spruce Tree House has been closed to visitors since 2015 due to concerns of possible rock fall. It is still an impressive site to see from the many overlooks surrounding the alcove.
Mesa Top Loop Road
Along this six-mile drive, you will find short and easy trails leading to archaeological sites and scenic overlooks. You will be rewarded with excellent views of Sun Temple, Square Tower, Cliff Palace, Sunset House, and several other cliff dwellings. Mesa Top Loop Road is open daily from 8:00 A.M. to sunset. Download this audio tour from the National Park website to listen to while driving on Mesa Top Loop Road.
Square Tower House
This cliff dwelling includes the tallest standing architecture in Mesa Verde, a four-story, 27-foot tall structure that was part of an even larger building complex. You can see the dwelling from afar at the Square Tower House Overlook off Mesa Top Loop Road. To see the dwelling close up, reserve a 90-minute ranger-led hike from Recreation.gov.
Cliff Palace
The crown jewel of Mesa Verde National Park, Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. It was built between 1190 and 1280 and contains 150 rooms and 23 kivas on three levels. The population at Cliff Palace was believed to have been approximately 100 people. An overlook off Mesa Top Ruins Road allows you to view Cliff Palace from afar. To see the dwelling close up, reserve a ranger-led tour from Recreation.gov. Reservations are available 14 days in advance at 8:00 MDT. It is highly recommended that tickets be purchased as soon as they become available given the high demand.
Balcony House
Located in a sandstone cove 600 feet above the floor of Soda Canyon, Balcony House appears to be floating in the air. When viewing from afar, you will likely be left wondering how the Ancestral Puebloans even reached this dwelling. It is believed to have been a mid-sized village with 38 rooms and two kivas. It is the most adventurous cliff dwelling in the park as visitors must climb a 32-foot ladder and crawl through a 12-foot tunnel to enter. Balcony House can only accessed via a one-hour ranger-led tour, which can be booked from Recreation.gov 14 days in advance at 8:00 MDT. It is highly recommended that tickets be purchased as soon as they are released given the high demand. Alternatively, visitors can see Balcony House from afar via the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail.
Stargazing
The night skies above Mesa Verde are an important cultural resource, as well as a popular activity for visitors. Given the park’s high elevation, limited population, and clear skies, Mesa Verde is an excellent location for stargazing. In fact, in 2021, the park was certified as the world’s 100th International Dark Sky Park. The best spots to stargaze in the park are Morefield Campground and Far View Lodge. Geologic Overlook, Mancos Overlook, and the Montezuma Valley Overlook are also great spots to take in the nighttime sky views.
Hiking Trails
Point Lookout Trail
The trailhead for Point Lookout Trail is located in Morefield Campground. A gradual climb from the parking lot leads to steep switchbacks and finally ends at Point Lookout. From this viewpoint, hikers are rewarded with views of the San Juan and La Plata Mountains and the Mancos and Montezuma Valleys. This hike is 2.1 miles and is classified as a moderately challenging hike with 538 feet of elevation gain. You can find a trail map here.
Knife’s Edge Trail
This easy trail offers amazing views of Montezuma Valley. It follows a section of the old park road, built in 1914 as the park’s original entrance. Views to the northwest make it an excellent spot to watch the sunset. This hike is 2 miles with 154 feet of elevation gain. You can find a trail map here.
Petroglyph Point Trail
This adventurous trail traverses the side of Spruce Canyon to reach the largest and best-known petroglyph panel in the park. Although the meaning of the petroglyphs is unknown, it is still an amazing sight to see. The journey to get there is fun but scary at times with steep drop-offs, narrow stone staircases, boulder squeezes, and rock scrambles. For safety reasons, complete the trail counterclockwise. This hike is 2.7 miles with 429 feet of elevation gain. It is classified as a moderately challenging trail due to the rough terrain. You can find a trail map here.
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
One of the easiest and most rewarding hikes in the park, Soda Canyon Overlook Trail leads hikers through a forest to an overlook with minimal elevation gain. At the overlook, you will find excellent views of Balcony House and other cliff dwellings across Soda Canyon. This trail is 1.2 miles with 59 feet of elevation gain. You can find a trail map here.
Mesa Verde Travel Itinerary
Are you ready to plan your adventure? Use our free Mesa Verde National Park Itinerary to help plan your trip. This itinerary includes all of the best things to do and see in the park. Just download the template and easily make changes so that it fits your interests.