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- Colorado
Cliff dwellings and archeological sites offer a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here for over 700 years.
This Colorado gem is home to some of the best preserved and most impressive cliff dwellings in North America. Mesa Verde, Spanish for ‘green table,’ remains a very important place to modern Pueblo people and was home to their ancestors. Like their neighbors around the area, they were successful farmers and skilled artisans. They were also sophisticated builders who used simple technologies to create structures and communities that fascinate and amaze modern visitors. Ranger-guided tours are offered daily from spring through fall and allow you to enter some of these ancient communities; you can also explore many archeological sites on your own. Plan to explore at least one cliff dwelling, as well as some of the mesa-top sites, to get a good sense of what life was like here in the past.
Getting Started
Mesa Verde National Park was designated in 1906, making it the first U.S. national park established to protect archeological sites. Today, the park welcomes visitors from around the world to witness the incredible architectural achievements of the Ancestral Pueblo peoples through guided tours, maintained hiking trails and interpretive exhibits. After purchasing your entry pass at the park entrance, a great first stop is the Visitor and Research Center. From there, it's about a 45-minute drive to the heart of the park, where most of the archeological sites are located. Be sure to check in with Visitor Center staff regarding the best route to take, as many paths and roads are restricted from cars. On your way into the park, stop at milepost 20 to explore the Mesa Verde Museum's cultural artifacts and multimedia presentations telling the story of the land's ancestral inhabitants.
The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center stands near the entrance of the park

Tours & Hikes
The only way to see Mesa Verde's cliff dwellings is by securing a spot on a ranger-led tour. Tour groups are limited to 50 people and depart each day between May and October. Exact dates change from year to year, so be sure to check the park's website for the most up-to-date information. Reservations can be made by phone or online up to 14 days in advance.
Hikes to the cliff dwellings range from moderately challenging to extremely strenuous, and climbing ladders and stone stairs is required to traverse the trails. Cliff Palace is the shortest and least taxing, while the tight squeezes on the way to the Balcony House tour and the backcountry conditions that lead to Square Tower House make them more suitable for experienced hikers. These hikes may not be suitable for young children, and for safety reasons this hike is not for children carried in backpacks.
However, both adults and children can enjoy many of the more easy-going hikes around the park. Younger and less experienced experienced hikers should plan to visit during the cooler months of September and October and pack plenty of water and salty snacks for the voyage.
Looking down on Square Mug House, one of the park's ancient cliff dwellings

Weather & Seasons
Mesa Verde is a popular place during the summer season. May, September and October tend to be less busy, and autumn weather is particularly pleasant. Planning a late July or August visit? Bring your rain gear, as afternoon thunderstorms are common. While the park is open year-round, many tours, facilities and campgrounds may have different seasonal service hours. The park's webpage is the best source for up-to-date information regarding closures and trail conditions.
Mesa Verde in the winter

Lodging, Dining & Beyond
Lodging and camping within the park are available from the park’s concessionaire, Aramark. Cabins, hotels, RV parks and other lodging options are available in nearby Mesa Verde County. You'll find a range of restaurants and dining rooms on the park's grounds, from upscale fine dining experiences to casual buffet-style and grab-and-go eateries. While in the area, consider adding in a visit to the Four Corners, the region where the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico converge. Fascinating Ancestral Puebloan cultural sites Chaco Culture National Historic Park, Hovenweep National Monument, Chimney Rock National Monument, Canyon of the Ancients Visitor Center and National Monument, and Aztec Ruins National Monument are all within a one- to two-hour drive of Mesa Verde National Park.
A prehistoric village at Hovenweep National Monument just outside Cortez, Colorado

Getting There
Mesa Verde National Park is located on U.S. Highway 160 between the towns of Mancos and Cortez, Colorado. The park offers a range of accommodations to help guests with mobility devices, service animals and other accessibility needs explore with ease.
The closest airport is Cortez Municipal Airport (CRO), accessible via connecting flights from a few major U.S. airports. Other nearby international airports include Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) in Durango, Colorado, about an hour away by car, and Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ) in New Mexico, about four hours away by car. Rent a car at your airport of choice and get ready to experience the splendor of the Southwestern USA.
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