Park Viewpoints

An expansive, westerly view from Park Point. Ute Mountain is 17 miles in the distance.

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Overlooks along the Park Road

Within the first ten miles of the twenty mile park road there are four viewpoints with insight into the geology, nature, and human stories.

Mancos Overlook

Around 3.5 miles up the road, look for a left turn into the Mancos Overlook parking lot. This overlook offers a spectacular view of the Mancos Valley, and exhibits which bring a greater understanding of the valley as a gateway to Mesa Verde National Park. A covered picnic area is a favorite stop when exiting the park. In late spring watch for eagles and other birds flying over the Mancos River.

Montezuma Overlook

After mile six on the right is the Montezuma Overlook. One exhibit sign explores nature and culture, and the other is a historic look at the former park road near Knife Edge. A sheltered picnic area and an enclosed pit toilet are availble.

Geologic Overlook

Near mile eleven along the main park road is a pull over on the right called Geologic Overlook. A brief uphill walk offers two opportunites to examine the area's geologic timeline and view geologic features of Mesa Verde National Park. For a more detailed description of Mesa Verde’s geology and geologic features, go to Geology under Nature and Science. A pit toilet is at the trailhead.

Park Point

This is the highest point—8,572 ft (2,612 m)—in Mesa Verde National Park. After parking, take a short, steep walk on the paved trail from the parking lot. Features include a historic fire lookout, exhibit signs which trace the landscape far and near, and expansive 360 degree views of the Four Corners region. Picnic tables and toilets are available around the parking area.

 

An inspirational view of Spruce Tree House from the accessible, covered porch behind the Chief Ranger's Office.

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Other Viewpoints

Listed below are additional opportunities to view the landscape, cliff dwellings, and the neighboring Ute Mountain Ute land. There are also many viewpoints along Cliff Palace and Mesa Top Loop Roads, described on the linked page but not in the following list.

Spruce Tree House

Twenty miles (32km) from the park entrance, near the Mesa Verde Museum, are views of Spruce Tree House. One view is a short walk down a paved path. Stand along the solid-rock cliff opposite of one of the largest and best preserved cliff dwellings. Or be inspired under the shade of the historic porch pictured in the photo. This latter option is the most accessible. Daily ranger talks are presented here.

Cedar Tree Tower

On your way out of the park, just after leaving the three-way stop near Mesa Top Loop, is a right turn towards Cedar Tree Tower (and Farming Terrace Trail). At the end of the road is a kiva-tower complex with a tunnel. This unusual architecture not within a community, overlooks farming terraces and more.

Soda Canyon Overlook

The only views of Balcony House are from the 1.2 miles (1.9km) round-trip, Soda Canyon Trail. The trailhead is on Cliff Palace Loop. The trail meanders through pinyon-juniper forest to views of Balcony House. Challenges: level dirt trail, steps, elevation change is 70 feet (21 m).

Wetherill Mesa Road

Wetherill Mesa Road is 15 miles (24 km) from the park entrance. Go past Far View Lodge and turn right. The next 12 miles (19 km) to the Wetherill Pavilion are narrow and very winding. Along the 12 miles, there are five unmarked pullouts with exhibits. These overlook Montezuma Valley, Ute
Mountain Ute Reservation, and Navajo territory. Fire scars dominate the area. A few of the pullouts require a short walk on uneven broken pavement to the exhibit and viewpoint. The link provides more information on visiting Wetherill Mesa.