Established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archaeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home from 600 to 1300CE, over 700 years ago. The park protects over 5,000 known sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These are some of the most well known and best preserved in the US.
Current Park Alerts
Live from the National Park Service · Official park site →
Plan Your Visit
Hours & Season
The park is open daily except for emergency conditions. The Visitor & Research Center and Mesa Verde Museum are open all year but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Ancestral sites, picnic areas, and trails are open 8 am to sunset. Some park areas including Wetherill Mesa, campground, and other visitor services are closed during winter. Cliff dwelling tours are mid-May through late October. Reservations are required and available 14 days in advance of tour date online at www.recreation.gov.
Entrance Fees
- $30 – Entrance - Private Vehicle
- $25 – Entrance - Motorcycle
- $15 – Entrance - Per Person
- $20 – Entrance - Private Vehicle
- $15 – Entrance - Per Person
- $15 – Entrance - Motorcycle
Weather
SPRING: This season offers a range of weather including clear skies, wind, rain, cloudy days and temperatures from 40–70°F (4–21° C). Snow may fall into May. SUMMER: Most days are sunny and temperatures can reach above 90°F (32°C) . Thunderstorms are common in July and August. FALL: Temperatures range from 50–75°F (10–24°C). Snow may fall as early as October. WINTER: Temps range from the teens to low 30s F (below -1°C) . Icy roads are common. Snow tires, all-wheel drive, or chains may be required.
Things to Do
Visit Mesa Verde's Historic Administrative District
Take a walk amid the early park structures that comprise the Historic Administrative District of Mesa Verde National Park. Established in 1987 the historic district comprises structures with architectural designs based in strong indigenous cultural traditions and blend into their environment. The Pueblo Revival style buildings have a unique place in the development of architecture in this country.
Explore the Mesa Top Loop Road
The 6-mile (10 km) Mesa Top Loop takes you through 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history. From remains of early pithouses and masonry villages to multi-storied cliff dwellings, the archeological sites along this loop show how early Pueblo architecture evolved. Archeology and Pueblo oral histories shed light on what life may have been like for people who lived, worked, and raised families here for generations.
Getting There
Address: 34840 Hwy 160 Mancos CO 81328
Mesa Verde National Park is in Southwest Colorado. The park entrance and the Visitor and Research Center are located ten miles east of Cortez, nine miles west of Mancos, and about 35 miles west of Durango, Colorado along Hwy 160. Mesa top ancestral sites, Cliff dwellings, tours, and the Mesa Verde Museum are 20 to 21 miles (approximately 45 minutes) south along the park road which which is steep, narrow, and winding.
Get driving directions → Official NPS directions →Where to Stay – Campgrounds
Morefield Campground
267 sites · $38/night
Morefield Campground is four miles from the park entrance. The 267 campsites are situated within a high-elevation, grassy canyon filled with Gambel oak, native…
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Mesa Verde National Park?
The entrance fee for Mesa Verde National Park is $30. See Plan Your Visit above for vehicle, per-person, and annual-pass rates.
When is Mesa Verde National Park open?
The park is open daily except for emergency conditions. The Visitor & Research Center and Mesa Verde Museum are open all year but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Ancestral sites, picnic areas, and trails are open 8 am to sunset. Some park areas including Wetherill Mesa, campground, and other visitor services are closed during winter. Cliff dwelling tours are mid-May through late October. Reservations are required and available 14 days in advance of tour date online at www.recreation.gov.
What are the best things to do in Mesa Verde National Park?
Popular things to do in Mesa Verde National Park include Visit Mesa Verde's Historic Administrative District, Explore the Mesa Top Loop Road. See Things to Do above for photos and details.
Are there campgrounds in Mesa Verde National Park?
Yes — Mesa Verde National Park has 1 campground, including Morefield Campground. See Campgrounds above for site counts, fees, and booking links.