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From ancient cliff dwellings tucked into sandstone walls to quiet mesa-top trails and sweeping desert views, Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado is one of the most fascinating and meaningful national parks in the Southwest.

We love this incredible park and have visited it to experience its rich history and unique landscape, and we’ve put together this complete guide to visiting Mesa Verde National Park to help you plan your trip. Read on to learn how to make the most of your visit to Mesa Verde National Park.

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Best Things to do in Mesa Verde

Camping at Mesa Verde National Park

Highlights of Visiting Mesa Verde National Park

The best way to explore Mesa Verde National Park is by car. The scenic Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop roads make it easy to reach many of the park’s most famous archaeological sites and viewpoints in a short amount of time. Unlike many hiking-focused parks, Mesa Verde is all about combining short walks, guided tours, and incredible overlooks.

Some of the best things to do in Mesa Verde National Park include:

• Drive the Mesa Top Loop Road – stop at overlooks and short trails to see pit houses, pueblos, and sweeping canyon views
• Take a guided cliff dwelling tour – visit Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or Long House to explore the park’s most iconic sites
• Walk the Mesa Top archaeological sites – including Square Tower House overlook and Sun Point View
• Hike one of Mesa Verde’s scenic trails – such as Petroglyph Point Trail or Spruce Canyon Trail
• Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum – a great place to learn the history and culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people
• Stop at the scenic overlooks along the mesa – some of the best views in the park look out over the Montezuma and Mancos Valleys
• Explore the nearby town of Cortez – a convenient base for food, lodging, and supplies before or after your park visit

Things to Know About Visiting Mesa Verde National Park

Best Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park

The best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is from late spring through fall (May–October). Our favorite time to visit is September, when temperatures are cooler, the summer crowds start to thin out, and hiking and tours are much more comfortable.

Summer is the most popular time to visit, especially June through August, but it can be hot on the mesa and very busy at the main cliff dwelling tours (make sure to book these in advance). Fall is a great option if you prefer quieter trails and cooler weather.

Mesa Verde is typically closed to most visitors in winter due to snow and road conditions, and only limited areas of the park are open seasonally.

How to Get to Mesa Verde National Park

The best way to get to Mesa Verde National Park is by a car – there is no shuttle in the park. The closest major town is Cortez, Colorado, which is about 15 minutes from the park entrance.

Here are some common driving times to Mesa Verde National Park:

• Durango to Mesa Verde National Park: about 45 minutes
• Cortez to Mesa Verde National Park: about 15 minutes
• Farmington, NM to Mesa Verde National Park: about 1 hour

Need to Know About Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde National Park is very different from many other national parks. Most of the main attractions are ancient cliff dwellings and archaeological sites, not long hikes or scenic mountain roads.

Many of the most famous sites, including Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, can only be visited on a ranger-guided tour. Tour tickets are limited and often sell out, so it’s important to book in advance. We’ve made this mistake before and

The park roads climb steeply and drive times between sites can be longer than expected, so be sure to plan extra time when moving between areas of the park.

How Much Time Do You Need in Mesa Verde National Park?

You can see some highlights of Mesa Verde National Park in one full day, but to see more of the park and its history, you need 2 days.

This gives you time to:

• join one or two cliff dwelling tours
• drive the Mesa Top Loop Road
• visit the museum and overlooks
• and hike one of the longer trails

Lodging Near Mesa Verde National Park

One our latest visit to Mesa Verde, we camped – you can see all the details of camping at Mesa Verde.

Because the park is up on a plateau there is no hotel right at the park entrance. The best place to stay is in Cortez. This is about 15-20 minutes from the park and you can find lots of hotels.

Looking for more information about planning a National Parks trip? See our National Park Planning Guide and see our guides to all the National Parks.