• View of Spruce Tree House from overlook

    Mesa Verde

    National Park Colorado

Hiking Tips

HIKING RESTRICTIONS

Restrictions on hiking in Mesa Verde National Park are necessary to protect the fragile and irreplaceable archeological sites and artifacts for which the park was established. Hiking is only permitted around developed areas and on designated trails. Visitors found hiking away from these areas, or entering cliff dwellings when not accompanied by a uniformed National Park Service ranger, are subject to penalties provided for in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations.


HIKING SAFETY

•Consider you physical health BEFORE hiking. All trails, except the Soda Canyon trail, are strenuous with steep elevation changes.

•You will be hiking in areas from 7000 to 9000 feet (2130 to 2740 meters) in elevation.

•Hikers are advised to carry and drink plenty of water, especially during the summer months.

•Please stay away from cliff edges as undercut overhangs are dangerous.

•Trails can be muddy and slippery after summer rains and winter snow. Proper footwear is recommended.

•Visitors with health problems should be warned that all trails, except the Soda Canyon trail, are strenuous with steep elevation changes.

•Pets are not allowed on park trails.

 

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Did You Know?

View of the House of Many Windows cliff dwelling

Ninety percent of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings contain 10 rooms or less. One-third have only one or two rooms. This should help to put the more famous cliff dwellings of Cliff Palace (150 rooms), Long House (150 rooms), Spruce Tree House (130 rooms), and Balcony House (40 rooms) into perspective.