Accessibility Information for Visitors with Mobility Limitations

Scenic Overlooks

Overlooks are available at Montezuma Valley, Mancos Valley, Park Point, Headquarters, and on the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace/Balcony House drives. Most of these overlooks are accessible with assistance, but fail to meet legal grade requirements.

Morefield Campground and Picnic Areas

Accessible with assistance. Each site has designated parking spaces, accessible restrooms, and paved walks or gravel trails. Morefield Campground has signed, accessible sites on Navajo Loop, and telephones available in the village area.

Far View Visitor Center

Accessible with assistance. This location has designated parking, ramps, restrooms, telephones, drinking fountains, and a wheelchair for loan option. Food service and gift shops are available and accessible in the Far View area.

To enter the Visitor Center there is a down ramp to a tunnel which goes under the road, then another ramp up to the visitor center entrance. The ramps do not meet the legal grade requirements currently in effect. Assistance is suggested.

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and Park Headquarters

Accessible with assistance. This location has designated parking, restrooms, drinking fountains, telephones, a picnic area, bookstore, and a wheelchair for loan option. Food service and gift shops are available and accessible.

There are areas with one to three steps in the museum. A portable ramp is available. Rangers and Museum staff will assist you on request.

Archeological Sites

Chapin Mesa

Mesa Top Loop Road: This area is the most accessible of all the archeological sites in the park and is HIGHLY recommended. This drive and the stops along it make up a chronological sequence of the Ancestral Pueblo peoples' cultural development. A guide book, restrooms, and paved trails are all available. Drinking fountains are available during the summer months. This area is open during the winter, weather permitting.

Far View Archeological Complex: Accessible with assistance. Special features: Mesa top sites with gravel paths. Please obtain an interpretive guide book at the Far View Visitor Center during the summer months or at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum year round. Portable toilets are available.

Spruce Tree House: Accessible with assistance. Spruce Tree House is the only cliff dwelling open all year, and the only one wheelchair accessible. Ranger-guided tours are given in winter, while it is self-guided the rest of the year. The trail is paved with gravel in front of dwelling; strenuous walk, one-half mile round trip.

Cliff Palace and Balcony House: NOT ACCESSIBLE
Accessible by Ranger guided tours only, both of these 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. Cliff Palace can also be viewed from Sun Temple. Designated parking, picnic tables, and accessible restrooms are available and accessible at Cliff Palace. No overlook of Balcony House is available. Designated parking and accessible restrooms are available at Balcony House. The portable toilets at Balcony House are not handicap accessible. No water is available at Balcony House. Water is available for a fee at Cliff Palace in summer only.

Wetherill Mesa

Wetherill Mesa is open in the summer for day use only. It is a distant area of the Park with two major cliff dwellings, a self guided nature walk, and mesa top sites. Most sites, other than the cliff dwellings, are available and accessible by shuttle service from the Wetherill parking lot. The shuttle has a wheelchair lift available. Drinking fountains, portable toilets, paved trails, gravel trails, and food service are available. Vehicle length (25ft. maximum) and weight restrictions (8,000 lbs maximum) are enforced on the road to the mesa.

Step House and Badger House Community: Accessible with assistance. Special features: Pit houses, cliff dwelling, and mesa top sites are self-guided with a ranger on duty. Paved trails, graveled in places. Step House is a very strenuous, one-half mile round trip trail. Access for wheelchairs is via the exit trail only. Wide rim wheels are highly recommended. The steep trail does not meet legal grade requirements. Badger House is a relatively level area with a paved trail to a series of mesa top sites. Accessible to wheelchairs by a shuttle service.

Long House: NOT ACCESSIBLE
Special features: Cliff dwelling by ranger-guided tour only. Strenuous trail with 50 steps, 3/4 mile round trip. Overlook available on shuttle service.