Discovering the Hidden Gems of Mesa Verde National Park

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What to See in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park in 2023

Mesa Verde National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in ancient history and natural beauty.

With its stunning cliff dwellings and breathtaking vistas, this park offers a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.

Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a fun family vacation, Mesa Verde National Park has something for everyone.

In this guide, we'll explore some of the top things our family visited in this amazing park.

Mesa Verde National Park is one of Colorado’s four national parks that can’t be missed.

We suggest staying in nearby Cortez in a modern vacation home with fantastic views.

While mapping out a nine day long road trip through Southwest Colorado, we quickly realized Mesa Verde National Park was a non-negotiable.

One of four national parks in Colorado, this one lies between Durango to Telluride.

Knowing exactly what we wanted to see there - two fantastically preserved Ancient Puebloan dwellings named Balcony House and Cliff Palace - we planned accordingly.

Take a Guided Tour of the Cliff Dwellings

One of the most popular activities at Mesa Verde National Park is taking a guided tour of the cliff dwellings.

These ancient structures were built by the Ancestral Pueblo people over 700 years ago and are a testament to their ingenuity and resourcefulness.

The guided tours gave our family a deeper understanding of the history and culture of these fascinating people, as well as provided us with an up-close look at the cliff dwellings themselves.

There are several different tours available, ranging from easy walks to more strenuous hikes, so be sure to choose one that fits your interests and abilities.

Balcony House and Cliff Palace

In order to tour Balcony House and Cliff Palace, we had to reserve spots on a ranger tour or you’ll miss witnessing these two gems up close. More on this down below.

You will see many pictures here of the famous Mesa Verde Balcony House and sprawling Cliff Palace — Colorado’s two prized ancestral Puebloan dwellings.

Added here are also other notable sights and stops, where to camp, where to stay in nearby Cortez, and the best time to visit.

What Makes Mesa Verde so Special?

Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to protect and save the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years (600 to 1300 CE).

This park is home to 5,000 known archeological sites — 600 are cliff dwellings. These cliff dwellings are some of the best to see in America.

The mind-blowing ancient cliff dwellings known as Mesa Verde Cliff Palace and Balcony House lend insight into how Ancient Puebloans were genius architectures. Ranger-led tours in Mesa Verde National Park provoke excellent questions about how these people lived up to the year 1300.

Hiking down to Cliff Palace and climbing through Balcony House truly are the crown jewels in Mesa Verde for kids and adults.

How to Plan your time in Mesa Verde

Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round, but opportunities change from season to season.

Mesa Verde Visitor Center

Your first stop should be the *Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center to help you make the most of your visit. Located near the park entrance, just off of US 160, this beautiful new building is Mesa Verde’s best way to help you learn more about Ancient Puebloans and how they lived, as well as details about things to see within the park and surrounding area.

Ideally, plan to stop the night before at the new Visitor’s Center* at the park entrance to buy your tickets — a mere $8 per person — for Mesa Verde’s Cliff Palace and Balcony House tours (one hour each) the next day. In the month of June, we lucked out with a shaded 1:30 pm Cliff Palace tour, followed by a 3:30 pm shaded Balcony House tour.

NEW: Ticket reservations are also available online up to 14 days in advance at recreation.gov.

Visitor Center Hours in 2023

January 2 – May 25 | 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, DAILY
May 26 – August 12 | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, DAILY
August 13 – December 31 | 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, DAILY
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Remember, buying tickets for a Mesa Verde ranger tour is the only way to see these gems up close and personal. For us, it was worth every penny.

Plan on spending at least six to seven hours in Mesa Verde. Pack a picnic lunch, plenty of snacks and water.

How to Visit the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings in 2023

The cliff dwellings can be entered only on a ticketed tour with a ranger. The 2023 tour season will run from May 14 through October 21.

Tour tickets can be purchased only on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Tickets are available 14 days in advance, 8:00 am MST, on a rolling daily window.

For example, tickets for May 14th will be available starting April 30th at 8:00 am MDT. Demand for tour tickets is high. We recommend reserving tickets as soon as they become available.

If you plan on booking a second tour on the same day, we recommend giving yourself 2 hours between the time you book a Cliff Palace tour and a Balcony House tour. Each tour is about one hour long.

PRO TIP: Keep afternoon shade in mind in the summer. In the month of June, we lucked out with a shaded 1:30 pm Cliff Palace tour, followed by a 3:30 pm shaded Balcony House tour.

Cliff Palace Loop

Open 8:00 a.m. to sunset, the Cliff Palace Loop Road takes you to the Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and overlooks to other cliff dwellings.

It will take you about 40 minutes, without stops, to drive from the Mesa Verde Visitor Center to the Cliff Palace Loop from the park entrance.

Mesa Verde Cliff Palace

Cliff Palace is the park’s largest dwelling.

To enter this cliff dwelling, you must be on a ticketed tour with a ranger. The 2023 tour season will run from May 14 through October 21.

It is believed that the Cliff Palace contained 150 rooms and 23 kivas and was home to about 100 people.

When you visit Cliff Palace, you will enter an exceptionally huge dwelling. Due to the sheer size, it is thought that Cliff Palace was a social, administrative site with high ceremonial usage.

Book Cliff Palace ranger led tour for $8 per person. All reservations are available 14 days in advance.

Mesa Verde Balcony House

Balcony House is super fun with adventurous, older kids, teens and adults who don’t mind heights or small spaces.

We had a blast with our ten year old and thirteen year old.

To enter this cliff dwelling, you must be on a ticketed tour with a ranger. The 2023 tour season will run from May 28 through October 21.

During your one hour ranger led tour of this mid-sized, 40-room dwelling, you will:

Descend a 100 foot staircase into the canyon
Climb a 32 foot ladder
Scramble through a 12 foot, 18 inches wide tunnel (this is optional)
Climb up 60 feet untethered (yes - 60 feet!) via a wide ladder and stone steps.

Book a Balcony House ranger led tour for $8 each. All reservations are available 14 days in advance.

Ranger led tour to Balcony House in Mesa Verde — Mesa Verde Balcony House

This is not for the faint of heart!

Due to the ladder climbing and the park’s elevation (7,000 feet) the Balcony House tour is deemed a strenuous physical activity and should only be done if you are in good health and able and comfortable climbing 60 feet up a wide ladder without a safety harness.

That being said, our tween and teenager completed the tour and loved every bit of it!

Balcony House tours will be offered from May 14 - October 21 in 2023.

Purchase tickets for a one-hour tours online at recreation.gov.

Step House

The one Mesa Verde cliff dwelling that can be visited without a tour is Step House, on Wetherill Mesa.

Step House is a free, self-guided cliff dwelling. Open between spring and fall; please check Hours of Operation.

The Step House trailhead is located next to the Wetherill Mesa kiosk. The one-mile trail is steep and winding path.

You can enter and exit the Step House at your leisure. There is a ranger on duty in the dwelling to answer questions. Allow approximately 45 minutes to visit Step House.

Spruce Tree House Overlook

Before or after you hit both the Cliff Palace Loop or the Mesa Top Loop Road, head right to his little loop that will provide views of the third-largest, and best-preserved Mesa Verde cliff dwelling called Spruce Tree House.

Hike the Petroglyph Point Trail

For those who like a more challenging hike, the Petroglyph Point Trail is a must-do. This 2.4-mile trail takes you through stunning scenery and ends at a rock face covered in ancient petroglyphs.

Along the way, you'll pass by a natural spring and several other interesting rock formations.

The trail is rated as moderate to difficult, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.

The payoff at the end is well worth the effort, as you'll be rewarded with a glimpse into the artistic and cultural traditions of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Explore the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum

The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of Mesa Verde National Park.

The museum features exhibits on the Ancestral Puebloan people who lived in the area for over 700 years, as well as artifacts and interactive displays that bring their story to life.

Visitors can also watch a short film about the park’s history and take a self-guided tour of the nearby Spruce Tree House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the park. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the fascinating history of Mesa Verde.

Along the same loop as Spruce Tree House Overlook, enjoy decades-old exhibits on the ancient Native American culture at this museum. See how our understanding of how Ancient Puebloans lived has changed over the years.

Attend a Ranger Program

One of the best ways to fully experience Mesa Verde National Park is to attend a ranger program.

These programs are led by knowledgeable park rangers who provide insight into the history, culture, and natural features of the park.

Programs range from guided hikes to evening campfire talks, and are available for visitors of all ages.

Check the park’s website or visitor center for a schedule of upcoming programs and events. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about Mesa Verde and its fascinating history.

For example, check out their ranger evening programs.

Mesa Top Loop Road

Just 6 miles long, the Mesa Top Loop Road carries you past archaeological sites and overlooks — don’t miss Sun Point Overlook with stellar panoramic views.

You will also see places to pull over and take a paved trail to view several archeological sites and overlooks of Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. Bring binoculars to view the homes of Ancestral Pueblo people who resided here over 700 years.

Don’t miss the Square Tower House Overlook, plus special views of Cliff Palace from Sun Point View and Sun Temple.

Download the audio tour and listen in your car or on your phone as you drive the Mesa Top Loop.

Visit the Far View Sites

One of the hidden gems of Mesa Verde National Park is the Far View Sites.

These sites are a collection of ancient dwellings and structures that offer a glimpse into the daily lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

The sites are located on top of a mesa and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the sites, which include a kiva, a pit house, and several other structures.

Be sure to bring your camera, as the views from the Far View Sites are some of the most breathtaking in the park.

Mesa Verde NPS.Gov Map of Wetherill Mesa

Long House on Whetherill Mesa Loop

If you just can’t get enough of Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, plan a second day for touring Long House on the completely separate Whetherill Mesa loop.

Mesa Verde Long House is the most intimate tour, and a standalone day trip since it sits on a completely different mesa in the park.

Allow over an hour to drive from the park’s visitor center.

Long House is the second largest cliff dwelling in the park, with Cliff Palace being the largest.

Long House contains 150 rooms and 21 kivas. You will also see a large dance plaza. It is believed that about 100 to 150 people may have lived in Long House during the 13th century.

Tickets for this one hour ranger tour ($8 each) are required for Long House. This tour involves 2.25 miles of hiking and climbing two 15 foot ladders. Note that it is a 20 minute hike from the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk to reach the Long House trailhead where you will meet the ranger for your tour.

Tour tickets can be purchased only on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Tickets are available 14 days in advance, 8:00 am MST, on a rolling daily window.

Do campervans truly live up to the hype?

We got off the grid in one ourselves. You might be surprised at what we found.

An Outdoorsy RV Rental Revealed

Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park

Still can’t get enough of Mesa Verde? Consider these backcountry hikes and special tours:

Mug House $25.00 per person, all ages
Square Tower House $25.00 per person, all ages
Spring House $45.00 per person, all ages

Where to stay

We stayed two nights in the Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites in nearby Cortez, just 12 minutes away from the Mesa Verde park entrance. We appreciated the laundry facilities, free hot breakfast, and the City Market grocery store just across the street.

The kitschy Retro Inn at Mesa Verde is super clean and fits the bill.

Prefer a vacation home? Stay in this modern home with fantastic views in nearby Cortez.

PRO TIP: Cool off in the newly renovated Cortez public pool (next to the city park) after touring the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. Then order some five star take-out dinner from Thai Cortez.

Mesa Verde National Park Camping and Lodging

For sleeping inside Mesa Verde National Park, camp at Morefield Campground or stay in the Far View Lodge. Open seasonally (May 1 – October 20, 2021) and the only place to lodge inside Mesa Verde, Far View Lodge holds 150 rooms and is 15 miles from the park entrance.

Discover dozens of fabulous RV Parks & Campgrounds near Dolores, Colorado. Such a gorgeous river valley!

Or, rent a Class C RV for your next camping adventure.

Best time to go to Mesa Verde

The weather for Mesa Verde National Park is most pleasant in the spring and the fall. Summer temps can sometimes soar past 100 degrees (F), and winter lows may plunge into the teens.

When we visited in June, it was warm, but we planned our Mesa Verde ranger tours for optimal shady times and took advantage of Cortez’s city pool.

Summer means crowds at Mesa Verde, while snow in the winter makes accessing points in the park more difficult.

That being said, all of the cliff dwellings are closed in the Winter and early Spring.

If you want to take a ranger led tour through both Cliff Palace and Balcony House, visit the park May 28 through mid October.

Visit Mesa Verde National Park website’s listing of operational updates to stay up to date on openings and closings.

NOTE: Although the cliff dwellings are closed in winter and early spring, the overlooks are usually accessible and provide spectacular views, so there is still a lot to see and do in the park.

Telluride is a gorgeous short drive from Mesa Verde.

What is near Mesa Verde National Park?

Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Colorado.

A lot of road tripping folks coming from the east never delve this far into Colorado, but when they do, they fall in love with the Swiss-like mountains and various outdoor adventures of southwest Colorado.

Picture unique national parks, hot springs galore, 4X4 trips, old ghost mining towns, wonderful hikes to alpine lakes, the Million Dollar Highway, and so much more.

What are you most excited to explore in Mesa Verde and southwest Colorado? Feel free to ask questions - we love to help!