Planning a Ranger-Led Field Trip

Mesa Verde National Park offers field trip experiences for educational groups of all ages. From ecology programs along the canyon's rim to cliff dwelling tours, your students will learn about the natural and cultural resources protected in the park. Please review the list of currently available field-trip programs below and follow the instructions to schedule a visit.

 

Rangers-led field trip program, NPS

Balcony House Educational Tour

4th-12th Grade

• Ranger-led, 1 ½ hour tour
• Offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm.
• Minimum of 10 students, maximum of 30 students per tour
• Minimum of 1 adult per 10 students, maximum of 3 adult per 10 students
• This adventurous tour involves scaling the face of a cliff via several tall ladders (the tallest is 32 feet/9.8 m) and squeezing through a narrow tunnel on your hands and knees.
• For a virtual tour of Balcony House, please go to Video (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

Mesa Explorers Educational Program

2nd-3rd Grade

• Ranger-led, 1 ½ hour program
• In this fun mesa-top program students will learn about the Ancestral Pueblo people and explore the many useful plants and animals of Mesa Verde.
• Offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Fridays at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
• Minimum of 10 students, maximum of 30 students per program
• Minimum of 1 adult per 10 students, maximum of 3 adult per 10 students

 

Schedule a Program

2026 spring field trip requests will open on February 9, 2026, at 8:00 am, Mountain Time.

How to Schedule a Program

Balcony House Educational Tours are only offered April 14 to May 22, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm.

Mesa Explorers Educational Programs are only offered April 14 to May 22, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

To schedule a field trip program, please fill out the Education Program Request Form. The items highlighted in green are needed to process your request, including Section 5 (Academic Fee Waiver). Once you have filled out the form, email the completed document to [e-mail].

Program requests will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. Our Education team will contact you with confirmation information and instructions.

 

Logistics

Park Entrance Fees

Visiting groups who are sponsored by accredited educational institutions may apply for a fee waiver to enter the park for free. Fee waivers should be requested three weeks in advance. For forms and guidelines, visit the Educational Fee Waiver Information page.

Be Prepared

Any visit to Mesa Verde will include some outdoor walking and exploring. Students should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Hats and sunscreen are recommended on sunny days and rain gear on cloudy days. Each child should carry a water bottle.

Picnicking & Lunch

A large and scenic picnic area is located on the museum loop on Chapin Mesa, 20 miles into the park. There are over 30 picnic tables in this area. Caution: Please keep a close watch on students at picnic sites near the canyon’s edge. There are some steep drop offs here. You may also purchase lunch at Far View Terrace (15-miles into the park) or Spruce Tree Terrace (near the museum). Far View Terrace is better for large groups but is open on a seasonal basis.

What Students Should Bring

A small backpack, bag lunch with drink (no glass), plastic water bottle, comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes, socks and long pants to protect against scrapes, sunscreen and hat, notebook or sketchbook, pen or pencil, rain gear or jacket depending on the weather, good attitude and interest in the Ancestral Puebloan culture!

 

Safety Considerations

Please review the following rules and expectations with your students and chaperones before entering the park.

• Have groups stay with chaperones and use the buddy system. We recommend one adult per every eight to ten children. No student should ever be left alone on a field trip.
• Use sunscreen, wear a hat, drink plenty of water and remember to eat. Hot, arid weather conditions zap energy and can lead to dehydration, so drink lots of water.
• Do not climb trees, buildings, archeological sites, rocks or cliffs.
• Do not disturb wildlife. Observe quietly.
• Immediately report any accidents or injuries to a park ranger. Have trained park staff treat any injuries promptly.
• No running or horseplay
• Do not throw rocks, sticks or other objects
• Stay on established trails. Walking off trails can lead to extensive resource damage.

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 20 seconds

Balcony House is known as one of the park’s most adventurous tours. To find out what this means, check out this ranger-guided virtual journey.