Wetherill Mesa

Visiting Hours

Wetherill Mesa is open May 23 to September 1, 2025.
• Entry gate opens at 8:30 am and the last entry of the day is 2:00 pm
• All visitors must exit by 4:00 pm when the gate closes for the night
• Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 

 

The West Side of Mesa Verde National Park

On the west side of Mesa Verde National Park, is a long, narrow mesa bounded by deep canyons. A visit to Wetherill Mesa allows you to explore nearly 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo life. Visit the Badger House Community featuring early pithouses on the mesa top, and view alcove sites from overlooks. See info below for visiting Step House. For information about Long House tour reservations, go to the Cliff Dwelling page.

What to Consider Before Visiting Wetherill Mesa

Visiting Wetherill Mesa, including drive time, may take all day. Sites are only seen by hiking or biking. The entry gate opens at 8:30 am with the last entry at 2:00 pm. All visitors must exit by 4:00 pm. In 2025, Wetherill Mesa is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• None of the ancient mesa top sites or alcove dwellings are visible from a vehicle.
• Visiting any site, dwelling, or overlook requires hiking or biking 1 to 6 miles.
• Due to a fire in 2000, the landscape has no shade.
• Thunderstorms are common. Beyond your car, the pavilion, and Badger House shelters, there are no places to escape lightning and thunderstorms.
• Water is limited along the trails.

Visit Wetherill Mesa With Your Dog

Hike any trail with your pet except the trails into Step House and Long House. Please keep your pet on a leash and do not leave them unattended. Remember water and treats for them. Take precaution on hot pavement and gravel.

Weather at Wetherill

This is a hot and dry climate at 7240 feet of elevation. Summer thunderstorms occur often and are usually accompanied by lightning. Know that there is limited coverage away from a storm except in your car, at the pavilion, and at Badger House. Do not stand at overlooks. Stay hydrated and know your fitness limits.

 

Duration:

4 minutes, 45 seconds

This video explores the landscape and what to do at Wetherill Mesa. It explains the challenges of visiting and what you need to prepare for a day at Wetherill Mesa.

 

Getting There

From the park entrance drive 15 miles (24 km). Drive past Far View Lodge. Watch for the brown Wetherill Mesa sign. Turn right on Wetherill Road. Gate hours may change yearly, check the current conditions page for times.

Wetherill Road is 12-miles (19 km), very winding with tight curves and hills. On average it takes 30-45 minutes to reach the Wetherill Pavilion. Due to the road's condition, vehicles over 25 feet (8 m) or 8,000 lbs (3629 kg) are not permitted. Wetherill Road is closed to bicycles and eBikes. Ride them on the trails beyond the pavilion.

 

Best Sites to Visit on Foot

All trails begin from the Wetherill Pavilion.

Badger House

This is a 2.25 miles (3.6 km) round-trip walking or biking tour. Visit a community of four excavated mesa top villages which represent 600 years of Pueblo history. The trail is relatively flat to three sites with a steep hill to the 4th.

Step House

Hike to a cliff dwelling featuring two distincts periods of time. This is a free, self-guided tour open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The last entry to the site is at 2:45 pm. Plan accordingly because the trail to and from the site is 1 mile round trip. It can be challenging for some as there are many steps and 165 ft (1.6 km) elevation change.

Nordenskiold Site #16

Walk 0.9 miles one way to the overlook of a cliff dwelling in Rock Canyon which has about 50 rooms.Plan for an uphill return with no shade or water access.

Long House Overlook

(This is not the tour into the alcove). A 2-mile (3.2 km) round-trip hike to an overlook. This is an expansive view across canyon of the second largest cliff dwelling in the park. Plan for an uphill return with no shade or water access.

 

What to See by Bike

This 5 to 6-mile (8 km) round-trip paved trail loops around Wetherill Mesa to the Badger House Community (2.5 miles/4 km round-trip), Long House Overlook (3 miles/4.8 km round-trip), and Kodak House Overlook (4.5 miles/7.2 km round-trip).