Mesa Verde
National Park
Mesa Verde National Park protects over 4,700 archaeological sites, including 600 remarkable cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people, who inhabited the area from around 600 to 1300 AD. Within the park, you’ll find a diverse range of Pueblo structures from pit houses and farming villages to ceremonial towers and temples.
Designated as a national park in 1906 and later recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Mesa Verde’s primary mission is to preserve these ancient sites and honor the rich cultural legacy of the Pueblo people.
While its archaeological significance is at the heart of the park, Mesa Verde also offers stunning natural beauty. The name “Mesa Verde,” meaning “green table” in Spanish, reflects the lush landscape of juniper trees and other vegetation that blankets its mesas, canyons, and valleys.
Mesa Verde At a Glance
$30 per vehicle for 7 days, from May 1st through October 22nd. $10 per vehicle for 7 days, from October 23rd through April 30th. Or FREE with the America the Beautiful pass.
Mesa Verde National Park is located in between Mancos and Cortez in Southwest Colorado, close to SO many incredible things to do in Colorado (and southern Utah), it is a bit far from any major cities. If you plan to fly to Mesa Verde National Park, the closest (although small) airport is the Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), which is just under 1 hour from Mesa Verde, and the closest major airport is Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), which is a little over a 4 hour drive.
Mesa Verde National Park is open year round (in some capacity), but your experience will vary depending on when you visit. We highly recommend visiting from early May through October since that is when the cliff dwelling tours are run. It’s a must-do when visiting Mesa Verde National Park!
Reservations are not required to enter the park, but you should book a tour of the dwellings in advance.
Different Areas of the Park
Mesa Verde National Park is divided into four main areas for exploration: Mesa Top Ruins Road (the main park road), Mesa Top Loop, Cliff Palace Loop, and Wetherill Mesa. Each area offers unique dwellings and sights, making them all worth a visit. Since the park is relatively compact and the areas are close together, it’s possible to see all four in a single day—though you may not have time to explore each one in full.
A Complete Guide to Visiting Mesa Verde National Park
In this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting Mesa Verde National Park, including hikes, tours, where to stay, tips for the park, and more!
Videos
For our first adventure in Colorado we’re exploring Mesa Verde National Park and the day was full of highs (Square Tower House tour) and lows (closures + a hit and run). Despite the less than smooth experience, we really enjoyed seeing this park and all of the incredible Pueblo history and cliff dwellings.
