Planning an Unforgettable Mesa Verde Trip
Step into a world of wonder and adventure as you explore the breathtaking landscapes and ancient wonders of Mesa Verde National Park. Nestled in the heart of the Southwest, this remarkable destination offers unforgettable family experiences. From climbing ancient cliff dwellings to hiking scenic trails, a Mesa Verde trip will be a treasure trove of history and natural beauty.
Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people as you discover the intricately designed adobe structures perched high on the cliffs. Marvel at the remarkable preservation of these ancient dwellings, offering a glimpse into a long-forgotten era. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a history buff, Mesa Verde has something for everyone.
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The Basics for your Mesa Verde Trip
Location
Getting to Mesa Verde will definitely take some time and planning on your part. The nearest international airport is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 4 hours to the southeast. The nearby town of Cortez has a small airport that receives regular flights from Denver International and Phoenix International as well. If traveling from far away, you might want to include Mesa Verde as part of a larger excursion that might include other national parks such as Moab and Canyonlands (2 hours northwest), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (3 hours northeast), or Great Sand Dunes (4 hours east). There are so many amazing options in this region of the US that you can explore depending on time, interests, and budget.
Fees
Vehicle entrance fees vary from $20 (Mid October – April) to $30 (May – Mid October). Annual passes are accepted, as is the 4th Grade Every Kid Outdoors Pass. Cliff Dwelling tours require a separate fee and are not covered by annual passes. The adult fees range from $8 – $25, and tickets are required for all participants, including 2 and under (which only cost $1). Reservations are available at recreation.gov and open 14 days in advance at 8:00 am MDT. Know when you want to go, and set an alarm to remind you to request your tickets – during the busy season they can go quite quickly! Please note, when we went they were very strict about having your printed ticket in hand to enter the tour.
Mesa Verde Visitors Center
Don’t skip the Visitor Center when you first arrive at the park. Not only is it an important bathroom and drink pit stop, but it has some beautiful views, artwork, and a museum. It is also where you can grab your Junior Ranger booklets for the kids. I recommend this activity for every national park, and getting them at the beginning of your trip will give the kids something to do while you drive to the various locations.
Camping and lodging options in Mesa Verde
Choosing where to stay can make a significant difference in any trip. You need to consider location, price, amenities, and more. If figuring out the right accommodation for your trip stresses you out, take a look at my article on Finding a Place to Stay on Your Family Vacation for tips on what to consider and where to book.
The following are excellent locations for quick access to the park entrance.
Cortez, CO
If you want a lot of options for lodging and food on your Mesa Verde trip, consider staying in the town of Cortez. Familiar brands such as Best Western, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, and many more are available as well as a more unique stay at the Retro Inn boutique hotel. Food options abound including your typical fast food, as well as unique stops like La Casita de Cortez, The Wigglin’ Pig, and Thai Cortez & Sushi. Main Street in Cortez is about a 15-minute drive to the Mesa Verde Visitor Center.
Mancos, CO
Mancos is about 15 minutes from Mesa Verde as well, but heading east instead of west toward Cortez. It is a terrific small town, with a charming atmosphere in its VERY small “downtown” and a fantastic choice for any Mesa Verde Trip. Be aware, however, that if you want access to fast food and large-chain stores you will need to travel west to Cortez. We shared this Airbnb with some family friends and we loved how attentive the hosts were, how open the gathering space was, and the amazing location. If staying in Mancos, I highly recommend grabbing some breakfast at the Absolute Bakery & Cafe which is located right along the Mancos River. Just be aware it is hopping on the weekends and busy season, but so charming you don’t mind waiting.
In the Park
Far View Lodge
If you want to be as close as possible to the park, consider staying in the park at the Far View Lodge. Open seasonally mid April – mid October, the Far View Lodge is located about 15 miles into the park from the Visitor Center, giving you closer travel times to top sites such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House to the southeast and Step House and Long House to the southwest. Each room includes a refrigerator for storing food for meals, and the lodge has a dining room restaurant that offers dinner and a cafe that serves both breakfast and lunch. Staying in the park allows you to fully immerse yourself in its tranquility.
Camping in Mesa Verde
For those looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Mesa Verde during their trip, camping is a fantastic option.
Morefield Campground is nestled in a peaceful valley and offers tent and RV sites. It provides amenities such as showers, laundry facilities, and a camp store where you can purchase camping supplies and groceries. It is open with all amenities mid May to mid October, and some primitive camping is available in April and late October. The camp store offers grab and go lunch options as well as a selection of groceries. There is also an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast option at the Knife’s Edge Cafe. The campground is surrounded by beautiful meadows and offers easy access to several hiking trails. For pet owners, there is a kennel you can check your furry friend into while you go explore for the day, as most locations within the park do not allow pets. They accept dogs, cats, and other small caged animals.
If you’d like to be closer to the amenities of a town, you can stay at the Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park located across the road from the main entrance of the park. While not as secluded or in the actual national park, they do offer a variety of RV sites, rustic cabins, and tent sites. Amenities include showers, flush toilets, fire pits, laundry facilities, and a swimming pool. It is about 15 minutes from grocery shopping and restaurants in both Cortez and Mancos.
Exploring the ancient cliff dwellings and natural surroundings
Mesa Verde National Park is known for its impressive ancient cliff dwellings, which are a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Ancestral Pueblo people. These dwellings are carved into the cliffs and offer a unique glimpse into the lives of the people who once called this place home. As you walk through the narrow passageways and climb the ladders, you’ll be transported back in time.
Many of the sites require a guided tour, including the famous Cliff Palace and Balcony House. These sites are not only awe-inspiring in terms of their architecture but also offer breathtaking views of the surrounding canyons. It’s a truly mesmerizing experience to stand where the Ancestral Pueblo people once stood and imagine what life was like in this ancient civilization.
Guided Tours
All guided tour tickets are available through recreation.gov and slots open up 14 days in advance at 8:00 am Mountain Time.
Cliff Palace
Do your best to snag tickets for a Cliff Palace tour. A visit to this iconic site requires some steep steps down and the ability to climb wide ladders but is worth any effort required. We traveled with our young children and our three-year-old handled it all fine with some assistance. I’ve seen photos of this site over and over, but I was surprised by how fascinated I was with it once I saw it in person. Even if you don’t get a tour ticket, make sure to drive to the lookout and catch a glimpse of it in person.
Balcony House
Tickets for Balcony House were unavailable when we went to reserve them, so we had to miss out. This tour requires a bit more physical agility with several ladders to climb, a narrow tunnel to crawl through, and all of this along the face of a cliff. It certainly would make for an exhilarating adventure, but for those unsure or unable to make the trek, you can access a virtual tour here.
Square Tour House
This is a unique tour that takes you into the backcountry of the park to explore the tallest standing structure within Mesa Verde. It requires a hike to and from the site, climbing on ladders, and some boulder scrambling. For those who don’t want to pay the $25 tour fee or go through the difficult hike, there is an overlook view at Mesa Top Loop.
Self Guided Tours
If you are unable to secure guided tour tickets, don’t worry. Your trip to Mesa Verde is not a waste. All visitors should consider exploring some of the sites and hikes within the park that do not require additional entry tickets. Being able to explore at your own pace and freely talk about what you are observing is often the preferred way of experiencing the park, especially for families with little ones.
Far View Sites
Our first introduction to the ancient building of Mesa Verde was at the Far View Sites, and it did not disappoint. There are several locations within the area to look at, explore, and discover. While you can quickly jump out and look, I’d recommend about an hour at the sites in order to walk around the pathways and talk about what you are seeing. I would recommend stopping here before any of the other dwelling sites because it may feel a little underwhelming after Cliff Palace or Step House. Watch your time carefully so that you make it to any reservations on time. There is a short trail system (about 3/4 miles) that links a variety of sites as well as an ancient (now dry) water reservoir.
Step House
*Closed through 2023 and possibly 2024*
Step House is located in the Wetherill Mesa section of the park. It is about 1 mile round trip and is moderately steep. You can get up close and personal with history and a community first established around 600 CE (pit house) that later became a masonry pueblo community (around the 1200s). This is a fun excursion because the hike down (and back) allows you time to examine the cliffs and see if you can spot any other dwellings built along them. Due to its proximity away from the popular Cliff Palace and Balcony House, Step House will certainly have other visitors, but you will most likely have more space to explore.
Mesa Loop Road Audio Tour
The National Parks Service has created a free audio tour that you can download and listen to as you drive the Mesa Loop Road. Have it ready to go before entering the park, and enjoy commentary as you travel the 6 mile route. Plan to make some stops along the way as you listen!
Hiking in Mesa Verde
While the primary draw to Mesa Verde is the spectacular cliff dwellings, there are some hiking opportunities that provide less traveled and unique views of the park. Consider trying out the following top-rated hikes:
Distance: 2.4 miles R/T
Not the easiest trail in the park, but a fun challenge that leads you to a small area of petroglyphs. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled or you might miss them! It is advised you bring lots of water, sunscreen, and good shoes for hiking. Plan to hike counter-clockwise, and be aware there is some rock scrambling.
Distance: 1.2 miles R/T
A great option for seeing Balcony House from afar with relatively flat terrain. Not a lot of shade and parking can get tricky. Full disclosure: We did this after already visiting a few other sites and my kids were kind of over it.
Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles R/T
A great hike during wildflower season (July ish), there are lots of switchbacks up to an expansive view at the top. The trail starts at the amphitheater located in the Morefield Campground – perfect for those staying at the camp, but accessible and open to all visitors.
Nearby attractions and day trips from Mesa Verde
While Mesa Verde National Park is a destination in itself, there are also several nearby attractions and day trip opportunities that are worth exploring. One such attraction is the Four Corners Monument Navajo Tribal Park, where you can stand in four states simultaneously – Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. It’s a unique photo opportunity and a chance to experience the cultural diversity of the region. This is located approximately one-hour southwest of Mesa Verde and can easily be included on a trip to southern Utah, the Grand Canyon, or Las Vegas from Mesa Verde.
Another nearby gem is the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, which is home to thousands of archaeological sites. This vast landscape offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring ancient ruins. It’s a lesser-known destination but worth a visit for its natural beauty and historical significance. The visitor center and museum are located about 20 minutes from Mesa Verde, and a visit here would be a great supplement to your exploration of Mesa Verde.
The town of Durango is less than an hour from Mesa Verde and offers a variety of activities for many different interests. Consider hitching a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, take a dip in the hot springs, or ride bikes along the Animas River. Durango is a fantastic option to not only visit but stay in as well if you are only planning one or two days in Mesa Verde and want to explore other areas of southwest Colorado.
Create lasting memories in Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde National Park is a destination that will leave a lasting impression on your family. From the awe-inspiring ancient cliff dwellings to the expansive landscapes and wildlife, this park offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty.
Whether you’re climbing ladders to explore the cliff dwellings or hiking through canyons in search of wildlife, Mesa Verde offers unforgettable adventures for the whole family. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to create lasting memories in the heart of the Southwest. Mesa Verde awaits your exploration and is ready to share its marvels with you and your loved ones.
Happy adventures!