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National Parks National Parks

Colorado National Parks
Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado Vacation Directory
 
 

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most notable and best-preserved archeological sites in the United States, offering over 700 years of history to explore. Native Americans came to the area around the year 400 AD, and stayed in the region until around 1300. The cliff dwellings that the area is best known for represents only the last 100 years of Native American inhabitation of the area. The park was established in 1906, the first and still only cultural National Park set aside by the National Park System, opening that year with 27 visitors. Now the park averages about 600,000 visitors per year. Open year round and covering over 81 square miles between the towns of Cortez and Mancos, the park is filled with countless artifacts to explore. If possible, allow yourself several days to explore everything the park has to offer.

Cliff Dwelling and Square Tower at Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.
The Square Tower House at Mesa Verde National Park
Ruins at Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.
Learn about the Anasazi and Puebloan culture
 

Many hiking trails are available for exploration. However, hiking only in developed and designated areas is allowed. The Soda Canyon trail offers an easier hike with the same amazing views as the other more difficult trails. Other trails bring you closer to the dwellings, but can be accessed only with a ranger. The Petroglyph Point Trail is an exciting trail with activities for children. From the visitors center you can get an interactive book to explore the various picture rock carvings of this trail. Many other trails are also available for exploration.

Family riding a tour shuttle in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.
Tour shuttles are a great way to see Mesa Verde
Group at Kiva site in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.
Guide explains the purpose of a Kiva
 

Mesa Verde offers many tours of the cliff dwellings. The Far View Visitor Center issues tickets for the Cliff Palace and Balcony House tours. For scheduling information, please visit the National Park Service Mesa Verde Cliff Dwelling Tours page. A uniformed Park Ranger must accompany you to enter the dwellings, but there are many other mesa top sites and viewing points you can visit on your own.

Wildlife sightings are also common. Many animals inhabit the area, including mule deer, porcupines, coyotes, black bears, gray fox, mountain lions, elk, marmots and turkeys. Bird watching is another fun activity, as innumerable species of birds are found in the park.

Be sure to visit the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tickets and get other information on tours. The Visitor Center is open from 8AM to 5PM mid-April to mid-October. At the Chapin Mesa Museum, located near park headquarters, you can pick up self-guiding tour books, as well as explore some of the cultural and artistic life of the park's early inhabitants. The museum keeps a vast collection of Southwest artifacts as well as pottery and weaving's. The museum is open from 8AM to 6:30 PM mid-April to mid-October. Lecture series are also offered every summer. One summer the lecture was Native American Art of the Past and Present in the American South West.

Downloads:

View an area map of Mesa Verde National Park
(Map provided by the U.S. National Park Service)

Directions:

Located in Southwestern Colorado, the entrance to the park is 9 miles east of Cortez in between Cortez and Mancos on US Highway 160.

Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do

Dolores Mountain Inn Photos on page icon
A comfortable, clean Inn with suites and motel rooms in the beautiful little Mountain town of Dolores. Play in Southwest Colorado: McPhee Reservoir, Boggy Draw Trail System, Mesa Verde National Park!
Echo Basin Resort - The Four Corners' Premier Cabin and RV Resort Web page link icon Photos on page icon
AN IDEAL RESORT DESTINATION: Family vacations with RV sites and cabins. Echo Basin is between Durango and Mesa Verde National Park in Mancos, Colorado -- where Mesas meet Mountains.

More Activities & Information

Dolores Area, Colorado includes: Mcphee Reservoir, Stoner

Durango, Colorado includes: Bayfield, Hesperus, Ignacio, Lemon, Vallecito Lake

Mesa Verde Area, Colorado includes: Cortez, Mancos

National Parks and Monuments in Colorado


Argo Mill and Tunnel • Aztec Ruins National Monument • Bandelier National Monument • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Blue Mesa Reservoir/Curecanti National Recreation Area • Browns Canyon National Monument • Canyons of the Ancients National Monument • Chaco Culture National Historical Park • Chimney Rock National Monument • Colorado National Monument • Comanche National Grassland • Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad • Dinosaur National Monument • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area • Garden Park Fossil Area • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Click to return to main Colorado National Park Map

• Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark • Hovenweep National Monument • Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site • Lost Creek Scenic Area • Mesa Verde National Park • Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas Natural National Landmark • Pawnee National Grasslands • Pikes Peak National Landmark • Raton Mesa and Pass National Landmark • Red Rocks Park National Historic Landmark • Rocky Mountain National Park • Roxborough State Park National Natural Landmark • Russell Lakes National Natural Landmark • Slumgullion Earthflow • Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark • Summit Lake National Natural Landmark • The United States Air Force Academy
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