Cliff Palace

Cliff Palace
Mesa Verde's Largest Cliff Dwelling
This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing five, 8-10ft (2.6-3m) ladders, on a 100ft (30m) vertical climb. Total walking distance is about 1/4-mile (400m), round-trip. The tour begins at Cliff Palace Overlook, an 8-mile (13km), 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center. 

Please note: Essential preservation work on Cliff Palace may be required in summer 2012; tour schedule disruptions are possible. Please check here for updates.

Balcony House

Balcony House
Adventurous Cliff Dwelling Tour
This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing a 32 ft. ladder, crawling through a 12ft.-long tunnel, and climbing up a 60ft (20m) open rock face with two 10ft (3m) ladders to exit the site. The tour begins at the Balcony House parking area, a 10-mile (16km), 25-minute drive from the Visitor Center.

Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House 
Best-Preserved Cliff Dwelling
(Early November to March)
This cliff dwelling is open year-round, however during the winter months, it is available by free, ranger-guided tour only. This one-hour tour involves a 100ft (30m) descent and ascent on a winding path. Walking distance is 1/2-mile (1km) round trip. Tours begin at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.
•During the spring, summer, and fall (early March to early November), Spruce Tree House is available on a self-guided basis.

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) boy at Cliff Palace

Twilight Tours in Cliff Palace
Join historical figures from Mesa Verde's past for a 90-minute tour of the park's most popular cliff dwelling, Cliff Palace. These characters, locked in their own time period, will give a fascinating perspective of their Mesa Verde experience.
•May 29 to September 5
•Nightly at 7:00 pm
•Tour is limited to 20 people
•$10.00 per person (Tickets sold ONLY at the Far View Visitor Center)

WETHERILL MESA (Open Memorial Day to Labor Day)                  

Long House

Long House
Mesa Verde’s Most In-Depth Tour
Starting with a tram ride to and from the trailhead, this 90-minute, ranger-guided tour involves climbing two 15ft (4.5m) ladders within the site. The round trip hike is 3/4 mile (1.2km), with a 130ft (40m) gain in elevation upon exiting. Tour begins at the Wetherill Mesa information kiosk, a 12-mile (19km) drive from the Visitor Center. Allow 45 minutes for this drive. Vehicles over 25-feet (8m) long are prohibited on this road.

ARAMARK Mesa Verde (Park Concession)                                 

Half-Day Guided Bus Tours
Mid-April to mid-October 

Tours depart Far View Lodge at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm. National Park Service rangers partner with the park concessionaire, ARAMARK, to conduct the tours and share current interpretation of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Tours stop at archeological sites along the Mesa Top Loop Road and include a walking tour of Cliff Palace. Tickets may be purchased at the Far View Visitor Center, Far View Lodge and Terrace, and Morefield Campground.For more information about these tours, visit the ARAMARK website.