Park Accessibility Guide
[ Hearing Impaired ] [ Mobility Limitations ] [ Visually Impaired ]Jump to Section
Mesa Verde National Park has limitations in accessibility for people with vision, hearing or mobility impairments. Visitors to Mesa Verde experience rugged terrain at an elevation of 7,000 to 8,000 feet (2,184m to 2,438m). Steep cliffs, deep canyons and narrow trails can be a danger to all visitors. Persons with heart or respiratory ailments may have breathing problems in the thin air at high altitude. Wheelchairs with wide rim wheels are recommended on trails. Visually impaired visitors will need an assistant to read exhibit labels since none of the exhibit displays have been transcribed into Braille. A general listing of accessibility information can be viewed on this page. More information is available on the links listed below.
Scenic Overlooks
Montezuma Valley, Mancos Valley, Park Point, Headquarters, and Mesa Top Loop Drive.
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible with assistance, but may not meet legal grade requirements.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.Morefield Campground and Picnic Areas:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible with assistance, but may not meet legal grade requirements.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.
Special Features: Designated parking, restrooms, campsites (Navajo Loop Signed), telephone, paved walks and gravel trails.Far View Visitor Center:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible without difficulty, but does not meet legal requirements. Paved Ramps.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.
Special Features: Primary information and orientation facility, designated parking, ramps, restrooms, telephones, drinking fountains, wheelchair for loan. Food service, gift shop, and lodging available and accessible spring through fall.Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and Park Headquarters:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible with assistance. One to three steps in museum area; portable ramp available. Rangers and staff will assist.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.
Special Features: Information center, designated parking, restrooms, drinking fountains, telephones, first aid station, picnic area, bookstore, wheelchair for loan, open-caption video about Mesa Verde for viewing. Food service and gifts available and accessible.
Archeological Sites
Mesa Top Loop Road:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty. Guide book available.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible without difficulty. Paved trails.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.
Special Features: This area is the most accessible and is HIGHLY recommended. It is a chronological sequence of Ancestral Puebloan cultural development. Features excellent views of Square Tower House and Cliff Palace. Guide book, designated parking, restrooms, and paved trails are available and accessible. Drinking fountains are available in the summer.Far View Archeological Complex:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty. Guide book available.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible with assistance.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.
Special Features: Mesa top sites with gravel paths. Portable toilets available. Please obtain guide book at Far View Visitor Center during the summer or at the Chapin Mesa Museum year round.Spruce Tree House:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty. Guide book available.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible with assistance, but does not meet legal grade requirements.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.
Special Features: Cliff dwelling open year round. Ranger-guided tours in winter, self-guided the rest of the year. Paved trail with gravel in front of dwelling; strenuous walk, one-half mile round trip. Picnic area with accessible sites is located on Chapin Mesa near the museum. Accessible restrooms and drinking fountains located in main parking lot. First aid station at Chief Ranger's Office.Cliff Palace and Balcony House:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible with assistance. Guide books available.
Mobility Limitations: Not accessible, not recommended.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance - not recommended.
Special Features: Ranger-guided tours only. Both cliff dwellings require climbing tall ladders and steep cliffs. An overlook accessed by a paved trail and one flight of stairs is available at Cliff Palace. Designated parking, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and restrooms are available and accessible at Cliff Palace. No overlook of Balcony House available. Designated parking and portable toilets available at Balcony House. No water is available at Balcony House.
Wetherill Mesa
Special Features: Distant area of the park with two major cliff dwellings, a self-guided nature walk, and mesa top sites available and accessible by shuttle service from main parking lot. Wheelchair lift available. Open only in summer, day use only. Drinking fountains, accessible restrooms, paved trails, gravel trails, and limited food service available. Vehicle length and weight restrictions on the road to the mesa.
Step House and Badger House:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty. Guide book available.
Mobility Limitations: Accessible with assistance, but does not meet legal grade requirements.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance.
Special Features: Pit houses, cliff dwelling, and mesa top sites are self-guided with ranger on duty. Paved trails, graveled in places. Step House is a very strenuous, one-half mile round trip trail. Access for wheelchairs by exit trail only. Wide wheels are recommended for this steep trail that does not meet legal grade requirements.Long House:
Hearing Impaired: Accessible without difficulty. Guide book available.
Mobility Limitations: Not accessible, not recommended. Overlook available on shuttle service.
Visually Impaired: Accessible with assistance - not recommended.
Special Features: Ranger-guided tours only. Strenuous trail with 50 steps, 3/4 mile round trip.
Updated 12/15/06
