To enter all cliff dwellings you must have a reservation on a ranger-led tour, with the exception of Step House on Wetherill Mesa. The 2025 tour season begins May 4th through October 19th, with Wetherill Mesa opening May 23rd. Tour reservations are made only on recreation.gov or by calling the toll free number 1-877-444-6777. Reservations are available 14 days in advance, beginning at 8:00 am MDT and fill up early. However, if somone cancels their reservation these tickets become available and can be purchased only at recreation.gov up to two hours before a tour. Reserving a tour is much easier if you create a recreation.gov account in advance. Go to recreation.gov and select the "Sign Up/Log In" tab in the upper right corner. 
NPS Photo/Sandy Groves Cliff Dwelling ToursCliff PalaceCliff Palace is the largest known cliff dwelling in North America. Built between 1190 and 1280 CE, Cliff Palace was once home to over 100 people. Today, it stands as a testament to the engineering and artistic achievements of the Ancestral Pueblo people. For a virtual tour of Cliff Palace, go to https://go.nps.gov/CPvideo. What to expectEach tour is limited to 50 peopleOn this 45-minute ranger-led tour, you will descend uneven stone steps and climb four ladders, with an elevation change of 100 ft (30 m). Total walking distance is 1/4 mile (0.4 km). All persons, including children, must be capable of climbing the ladders on their own. Infants must be placed in a carrier and the adults carrying them must be able to maintain mobility and balance while climbing. Know your physical health before joining a tour of Cliff Palace, especially if you have heart or respiratory problems, or other physical difficulties. Elevations range between 7,000 and 7,500 ft (2134 m and 2286 m) above sea level. You should plan for all weather possibilities because conditions can vary. When are the ToursThe full 2025 tour season begins May 4th through October 19th. Tours generally occur each day during the season but times are subject to change for circumstances such as safety and staffing. Go to Rec.gov for complete times and dates, additional safety recommendations, costs and other important information. 
NPS photo Balcony HouseA tour of Balcony House is one of the most adventurous in the park and not for the faint-of-heart. You will scale the face of a cliff via several tall ladders, squeeze your way through a narrow tunnel on your hands and knees, and explore some of the same passages used over 800 years ago! For those ready for the challenge, this tour offers you the chance to follow in the footsteps of the Ancestral Pueblo residents who lived there. For a better idea of what the challenges look like, click and watch this video Balcony House. What to ExpectOn this one-hour tour to Balcony House, you will climb a 32 ft (9.8 m) ladder, crawl through an 18 in (45 cm) wide by 27 in (68 cm) tall tunnel extending 12 ft (3.7 m) long, and climb up a 65 ft (20 m) open cliff face with 31 ft of steep uneven stone steps and two 18 ft (5.5 m) ladders to exit. Children must be capable of climbing the ladders on their own. Infants must be placed in a carrier and the adults carrying them must be able to maintain mobility and balance. When are the ToursThe full 2025 tour season begins May 4th through October 19th. Tours generally occur each day during the season but times are subject to change for circumstances such as safety and staffing. Go to Recreation.gov for complete times and dates, additional safety recommendations, costs and other important information. 
NPS Backcountry ToursOn these special tours, rangers guide groups into Mesa Verde's backcountry to visit the park's lesser-seen cliff dwellings. Backcountry tours are held once daily starting May 4th and are limited to 10 people. Backcountry tour sites other than Square Tower House may become available on recreation.gov.as the tour season progresses. Square Tower HouseFeaturing the tallest standing structure in the park, an intact kiva roof, original plaster and paint, and plentiful rock art. Square Tower House is one of Mesa Verde's most impressive cliff dwellings. Visitors to the Mesa Top Loop can get a great view from the overlook, but intrepid hikers are treated to an adventurous and intimate look inside Square Tower House on this special ranger-guided tour. What to ExpectThis strenuous ranger-led, 2-hour tour is a 1-mile (1.6 km) in and out access along an unpaved, uneven trail. It descends 120 ft (37 m), and includes steep drop-offs, switchbacks, and two 16 ft (5 m) ladders. Each hiker must be able to scramble over boulders, walk a 34 ft long (10 m), narrow cliff ledge, navigate steep gravel trails, and descend/ascend ladders unassisted. Know your physical health and fitness before joining a Square Tower House tour. Elevations range between 7,000 and 7,500 ft (2134 m and 2286 m) above sea level. You should plan for all weather possibilities because conditions can vary. It's possible to begin your hike in full sun and end with a thunderstorm. Bring a minimum of 1/2 gallon (2 liters) of water per person. 
NPS Wetherill Mesa Cliff Dwelling ToursLong HouseNearly the length of a football field, Long House is the 2nd largest dwelling in Mesa Verde. Active springs with greenery and alterations by the inhabitants demonstrate the importance of water to the Ancestral Pueblo lifestyle of this area, while a large plaza likely used for social or religious purposes dominates the center of the site.What to expectThis 90-minute, ranger-guided tour involves hiking 2.25 miles (3.6 km) roundtrip with an elevation gain of about 130 feet (40 m) and climbing two 15-foot (4.5 m) ladders within the siteThe tour begins and ends at the Long House trailhead which is a 20-minute, 0.75-mile (1.2 km) hike from the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk. Plan accordingly to reach the trailhead in time for your scheduled tour. The Wetherill Mesa Kiosk is a 12-mile (19 km) drive along the Wetherill Mesa Road (begins near mile marker 15). Allow 1.5 hours to drive to the Wetherill Mesa parking lot from the park entrance. Vehicles over 25-feet (8 m) long and 8,000 lbs. (3,628 kg) GVW are prohibited on this road. Know your physical health and fitness before joining a Long House tour. Elevations range between 7,000 and 7,500 ft (2134 m and 2286 m) above sea level. You should plan for all weather possibilities because conditions can vary. It's possible to begin your hike in full sun and end with a thunderstorm. Bring a minimum of 1/2 gallon (2 liters) of water per person. When are the toursLong House tours begin the day after Wetherill Mesa opens. Tours times are subject to change for circumstances such as safety and staffing. Go to Recreation.gov for complete times and dates, additional safety recommendations, costs and other important information.
NPS Step HouseA site with both a cliff dwelling (ca 1200 CE) and earlier pit houses (ca 600 CE) in the same alcove, Step House offers a look at how 800 years of inhabitation at Mesa Verde changed over time. A self-guided site when a ranger is present to answer questions. Step House does not require a reservation to enter, andWhat to expect When are the tours Step House self-guided tours open when Wetherill Mesa opens to the public. |
Last updated: April 21, 2025