The park
Mesa Verde is about 35 miles west of Durango on U.S. 160, a short drive past Mancos. The name is Spanish for green table. Ancestral Pueblo people lived on this mesa for more than 700 years, from about A.D. 600 to 1300. The park holds nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including about 600 cliff dwellings, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978.
The gate is not the dwellings. The road climbs for about 21 miles before the first real look at a cliff house, and it is steep and narrow. Plan the whole day. A car is $30 from May 1 through October 22, and $20 from October 23 through April 30, good for seven days. Tickets for the ranger tours are separate, through recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777.
The ground
The entrance is the north edge of the map, on U.S. 160. The road runs south past Morefield and Far View, then splits toward Chapin Mesa, where Cliff Palace and Balcony House sit, and Wetherill Mesa to the west, where Long House and Step House sit. Stay on the named trails. Walking off them is not allowed.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Cliff dwellings
The 2026 season for the ticketed houses runs into October 21. Wetherill Mesa houses start May 22. Oak Tree House is offered only some days. The museum overlook looks into Spruce Tree House. Children under 18 need an adult on a tour, and you will want the confirmation on your phone or on paper.
Cliff Palace
Ranger-led · May 4 to October 21
The one most people come for. About a quarter mile on uneven stone steps, four ladders, and around 100 feet of climbing. A reservation is required.
Balcony House
Ranger-led · May 4 to October 21
The athletic one. A 32-foot ladder, a 12-foot tunnel that is 18 inches wide and 27 inches tall, then more ladders on the cliff face. A reservation is required.
Long House
Ranger-led · May 22 to October 21
On Wetherill Mesa. About 2.25 miles round trip, a steep staircase, and two 15-foot ladders, with roughly 130 feet of elevation change. A reservation is required.
Step House
Self-guided · May 22 to October 21
Also on Wetherill Mesa, with a ranger on site. No reservation. The trail is about a mile round trip and drops about 165 feet. Last entry is 2:45 p.m.
Square Tower House
Ranger-led · small group · May 4 to October 21
A backcountry walk for 10 people. About a mile, a 120-foot descent, two 16-foot ladders, and a narrow ledge. A reservation is required.
Mug House
Ranger-led · May 22 to October 21
Wetherill Mesa backcountry. About 2.25 miles round trip and a short ladder, with steep edges. A reservation is required.
If you are not going inside a house, the Mesa Top Loop is a 6-mile drive, open 8 a.m. to sunset, with short paved walks to a dozen sites. Square Tower House, Sun Point, and Sun Temple are on that loop.
Trails
About 30 miles of designated trail. Stay on the named paths. Hover a tile for what the walk is, and open it for the map of the line. Dogs are allowed only on Nordenskiöld Site No. 16, Badger House, and the Long House Loop.
Knife EdgeKnife EdgeAn easy walk from Morefield Campground along the old road cut, with a long view off the north side of the mesa.2 miles · 60 ft of climbing · Easy
Point LookoutPoint LookoutA moderate climb from Morefield to the point that watches the valley and the road you drove in on.2.2 miles · 400 ft of climbing · Moderate
Prater RidgePrater RidgeThe long ridge above Morefield. The full loop is strenuous. A cutoff splits it into a north loop and a south loop if you want less.7.8 miles · 675 ft of climbing · Strenuous
Petroglyph PointPetroglyph PointThe rugged walk to the park's large petroglyph panel. Narrow rock, stone stairs, and a scramble. Go counterclockwise.2.4 miles · 227 ft of climbing · Very challenging
Spruce CanyonSpruce CanyonDown the switchbacks into Spruce Canyon and back to the museum through the picnic area. Shady in the bottom, steep on the way out.2.4 miles · 558 ft of climbing · Strenuous
Soda Canyon OverlookSoda Canyon OverlookA short, mostly level walk to the rim, with Balcony House and the other houses along Soda Canyon in view.1.2 miles · 70 ft of climbing · Easy
Farming TerraceFarming TerraceA short walk to the old farming terraces Ancestral Pueblo people built on the mesa.0.5 miles · 150 ft of climbing · Easy
Far ViewFar ViewA mesa-top village on an easy loop, four miles north of the museum. Parking is for vehicles under 25 feet.0.75 miles · Easy
Step HouseStep HouseThe self-guided walk into Step House on Wetherill Mesa, with a ranger on site. No tour reservation. Last entry is 2:45 p.m.1 mile · 165 ft of climbing · Moderate
Nordenskiöld Site No. 16Nordenskiöld Site No. 16A moderate walk on Wetherill Mesa to an overlook of the site. Dogs are allowed on this trail.2 miles · 95 ft of climbing · Moderate
Badger House CommunityBadger House CommunityA walk through a mesa-top community on Wetherill Mesa. Dogs are allowed on this trail.2.25 miles · 111 ft of climbing · Moderate
Long House LoopLong House LoopThe longer Wetherill Mesa circuit, past the country around Long House. Dogs are allowed on this trail. Going inside Long House itself is a separate ranger tour.5 miles · 177 ft of climbing · Moderate
Who takes you there
- Mesa Verde National ParkEntrance on U.S. 160 · (970) 529-4465Ranger-led cliff dwelling tours, the mesa-top drive, and the hiking trails. Tour reservations open 14 days ahead at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. A private vehicle is $30 from May 1 through October 22 and $20 the rest of the year, good for seven days. Anyone 15 and under is included. The park's own annual pass is $55.
- Far View Lodge and Morefield CampgroundInside the park · (800) 449-2288The only lodge in the park, about 15 miles past the gate, and the campground four miles in, with tent sites and a handful of full-hookup RV spots. They also run the cafes and a bus tour of the mesa. Mail goes to P.O. Box 277, Mancos, CO 81328.
- Durango Rivertrippers360 S Camino Del Rio, Suite 200 · (970) 259-0289Half-day and private trips that leave from Durango, with the park entrance included. The express trip adds a ticket into Cliff Palace. Group departures need at least two people.