Mesa Verde (Spanish for “green table”) is one of the most unique National Parks that we’ve visited in the US (and the WORLD)! It also happens to be a World Heritage Site, and when the UN first created the list, Mesa Verde made the first cut.
There are 600 cliff dwellings and even more archeological sites that give you a look into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here from AD 600 to 1300.
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Last Updated: June 15, 2020
7 THINGS TO DO IN MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Thing to Do
Address, map
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PHOTO
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You can’t visit Mesa Verde without stepping into the cliff dwellings. It’s one thing to see them from afar, but when you get to walk in the footsteps of those who lived here it’s an amazing experience. We toured both the Balcony House and the Cliff Palace.
Pro Tip: Tickets must be purchased in person at the Visitor Center, Museum or the Durango Welcome Center. You can get them two days in advance since they sell out quickly. Consider doing a sunrise or twilight tour for the best light for photography.
2. Take a Self-Guided Tour of Step House
Trailhead Coordinates: 37.195987, -108.537305, map
This is a one mile trail that’s somewhat steep and winding. You can take this tour at your own pace, and there is a ranger there to answer any questions. It’s also nice that it’s in the quieter area of the park.
35853 Rd H.5, Mancos, 81328, map
This is the best starting spot. You can chat with a ranger to learn about what is open and they can help you plan your time there. There are exhibits to check out. Plus, this is where you buy tickets to tour Cliff Palace or Balcony House.
This 6-mile driving tour has plenty of pull outs and short, paved trails to explore. There are surface dwellings to visit as well as overlooks to cliff dwellings. Be sure to check out Square Tower House, Sun Point Overlook, and stop by the views of Cliff Palace from Sun Point and Sun Temple stops.
Coordinates: 37.184413, -108.488427, map
Check out displays and exhibits that give you a better understanding of what life was like for the Ancestral Puebloans. You’ll also find prehistoric artifacts and a movie to give you a quick overview.
6. View Spruce Tree House
This is the best-preserved cliff dwelling but unfortunately, it is currently closed due to safety concerns. You can still get a great view from it from the museum (photo below), and be sure to check the site to see when they might open it up again.
7. Hike Far View Sites Complex
Coordinates: 37.237945, -108.503248, map
A level 3/4 mile hike takes you to Far View House and four other villages. You can check out a dry reservoir as well.
More National Parks in Colorado: Great Sand Dunes + Black Canyon of the Gunnison
WHAT NOT TO DO: DON’T TOUCH THE DWELLINGS
Even after the ranger gave us a long talk prior about how fragile the structures are, we still saw people leaning on them and touching them. We get into it a little more here. Please please please be respectful so that everyone in the future can experience this place the way you had the chance to see it.
More Things to Do In Mesa Verde CO
- Take a Sunrise Hike in the Backcountry – If you’re looking to challenge yourself and visit some lesser known dwellings (like the Mug House, Oak Tree House, Spring House, etc), sign up for one of the backcountry tours.
- 700 Years Tour gives you a great overview of the park’s main attractions and its history.
- Petroglyph Point Trail – It’s a 2.4 mile hike and the only place in Mesa Verde you can see petroglyphs.
- Park Point Fire Lookout – Had great views of the canyon.
- Soda Canyon Overlook Trail – 0.7 mi hike to a great view of Balcony House.
- Spruce Canyon Trail – 3.1 mi out and back, moderate hike that goes down into the canyon and then back out.
- Farming Terrace Trail – 1/2 mile loop and leisurely walk where you see farming terraces and check dams made by Ancestral Puebloans.
- Join an Evening Campfire Talk – It’s a 45-60 min ranger-led talk located in the Morefield Campground.
- 12 Hours of Mesa Verde – Endurance mountain bike race in May
Map of Mesa Verde National Park Attractions
Essential TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT TO MESA VERDE
- Be sure to check their site to see what is currently open. It changes depending on the season.
- The tours require climbing ladders, a little hiking, and some of the tours require squeezing through tight spaces. If you’re extremely afraid of heights or claustrophobic, you may want to opt out.
- It takes 45 minutes to an hour to get from the visitors center to the main attractions of the park. Keep that in mind when planning your activities.
- Drive slowly. There was a lot of wildlife crossing through when we went.
What to Pack for Your Visit
Where To Eat in Mesa Verde
- Dine in Metate Room – If you’re staying at Far View Lodge, it’s convenient and delicious. Not that many restaurants inside National Parks are. We ate here both nights enjoying some of the best views in the park.
- Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe – You have to try their navajo taco. At first I thought it was going to be gimmicky but it actually tasted so good!
- Knife Edge Cafe at Morefield Campground – All you can eat pancakes.
Best Places to Stay Near Mesa Verde
- Far View Lodge – It’s the only place inside Mesa Verde. We had a great view of sunset and even saw some wildlife from our balcony. See more reviews of Far View here.
- Camping at Morefield Campground – Camp in the canyon just 4.5 miles in from the park entrance. They also have 15 full hook-up RV sites you can reserve ahead of time.
- Ancient Cedars RV Park – They had full hookups, great views, and friendly and knowledgeable staff. The wifi was really slow but what you generally expect from RV parks. It’s right across from the park entrance and less than a mile from the Mesa Verde Visitor Center. You can also see where else we’ve stayed on the #EndlessCaravan here.
Are there any other things to do in Mesa Verde National Park that can’t be missed? What UNESCO World Heritage Sites have you visited?
See more info about our specific Airstream here. You can virtually caravan with us by sharing your summer adventures with #endlesscaravan. Let’s go!
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
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