Things To Do

READ FIRST: Phased Reopening of Mesa Verde National Park

The park has reopened using a phased approach. Some areas of the park are open on a self-guided basis, while other facilities and areas remain closed.

Because schedules will continue to change based on guidance from the White House,Centers for Disease Control & Prevention(CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing, we have created the following sites to help you plan your visit during the phased reopening. 

♦Phased Reopening Updates
♦Online Virtual Ranger Station

Until we resume normal operations, please use the above pages to see what is available at the time of your visit.

 

IF YOU HAVE ONE HALF DAY OR LESS...

Plan to spend at least four hours at Mesa Verde. Two hours of this time will be spent driving in and out of the park.

• Your first stop should be at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center (at the park entrance) for information and orientation.
• Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, view Spruce Tree House nearby -and- drive the Mesa Top Loop Road (six-mile loop).

IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY...

• Stop at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center (at the park entrance) to purchase tickets to visit Cliff Palace or Balcony House.
• Drive the Cliff Palace/Balcony House Loop Road. If you plan to visit Cliff Palace or Balcony House, be sure to purchase your tickets at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center first.
• Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, view Spruce Tree House nearby -and- drive the Mesa Top Loop Road (six-mile loop).
• Hike the Far View Sites Complex.

IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY (alternative)...

• Stop at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center (at the park entrance) to purchase tickets to visit Long House on Wetherill Mesa.
• Take the Wetherill Mesa Drive and hike or bicycle the trails to the mesa top sites and cliff dwelling overlooks.
• Join a ranger for your ticketed tour to Long House. Be sure to purchase your tickets at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center before driving to Wetherill Mesa.
• Take a self-guided tour of Step House.

IF YOU HAVE TWO DAYS OR MORE (one day activities plus)...

• Stop at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center (at the park entrance) to purchase tickets to visit all three cliff dwellings (Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House).
• Hike one or more of Mesa Verde's hiking trails.

 

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Other Helpful Links

Do you have more time, enjoy other interests, or simply want to mix things up a bit? Here are additional links that cover a variety of activities you can do in the park.

•Cliff Dwelling Guided Tours
•Backcountry Guided Hikes
•Evening Programs
•Exploring On Your Own
•Hiking Trails
•Winter Activities


•Bird Watching
•Four Corners Lecture Series
•Geologic Views
•Observing Wildlife
•Photography
•Stargazing