Exploring Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park

Not every visit to a national park is solely about the wonders of nature. Take Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado for example, where the big draw for us was getting to see the cliff dwellings.

The story behind these archeological sites is pretty amazing. About AD 550, some of the people living in the Four Corners region decided to move onto the Mesa Verde. For more than 700 years, these people and their descendents lived and flourished, eventually building elaborate stone communities in the sheltered alcoves of canyon walls.

The park features more than 4,500 archeological sites, with 600 of these being cliff dwellings. Of these, only five are open to the public. In my opinion, they are the reason to visit Mesa Verde.

If you’ve got a visit to Mesa Verde in your near future, here are some tips to make the most of exploring the cliff dwellings:

Get to know the natives.
The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center and the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum are a great place to start. Get a glimpse into the culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people with exhibits and dioramas before heading out to experience the archeological sites firsthand.

Decide what to see.
Access to many of Mesa Verde’s sites is challenging. Most cliff dwelling trails are steep and uneven, with steps and ladders, cliff edges and tight passages, and include strenuous elevation changes.

However, many cliff dwellings and mesa top sites are visible from roadside overlooks and short, paved trails. Check the park visitor guide or park website for details to help you decide which might be right for your family.

Explore on your own.
We visited Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde’s best-preserved and third largest cliff dwelling. The trail is ½-mile roundtrip with a 100-foot elevation descent and ascent on a paved, winding path. There are no ladders or steps on this trail, making it perfect for families with young kids.

Park rangers are on site to answer questions. For $.50 we bought a self-guided tour booklet that was a big hit with the kids. We easily spent an hour exploring.

Take a tour.
If you have the time, consider splurging on tickets for a ranger-led tour ($3 per person, regardless of age). (Note: To see Balcony House, Cliff Palace and Long House, you must join a tour.) Tickets are sold at the Visitor Center and Research Center.

Practical matters

• Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round; cliff dwellings can be toured between May 24 and November 2 only.
• The Visitor Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 24 to September 2; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September 3 to November 2.
• Entrance to Mesa Verde National Park is $15 per car from May 24 to September 2; September 3 to November 2 the fee is $10.
• Download a variety of official Mesa Verde National Park brochures here. 
• The route into the park is a steep, narrow, winding mountain road. Depending on weather, traffic and road construction, plan at least two hours just to drive into and out of the park. The drive is scenic with a pull-offs and overlooks that provide spectacular views. 
• There are restrooms at the visitor center and at most sites and overlooks.
• There is food available at three locations in Mesa Verde – in the museum/Spruce Tree House area, in the Far View area and at the Morefield Campground area. 
• Camping is available at Morefield Campground from May to September; the Far View Lodge (also located within the park) is open from mid-April to mid-October.

Mesa Verde National Park
P.O. Box B
Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330
(970) 529-4465
http://www.nps.gov/meve