Article Overview: Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park at a Glance
We’ve toured the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde and stood in front of Cliff Palace, trying to make sense of what it took to build a civilization into a cliff face 800 years ago. Mesa Verde is one of the most culturally significant sites in the national park system and genuinely unlike anything else. Here’s how to plan a visit that does it justice.
All that said, there are some things to know about the things to do in Mesa Verde: camping rules, weather expectations in each season, and tour information since some locations can only be accessed with a guide. Let’s get to it.
Table of Contents: Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park
Table of contents: Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
- 5 Quick Things to Know About Mesa Verde National Park
- Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
- 15. Watch “Footprints of Our Ancestors”
- 14. Take the Scenic Route along Mesa Top Loop Drive
- 13. Capture the Night Sky During a Campfire Chat
- 12. Walk the Knife Edge for Sunset Views
- 11. Circle Soda Canyon Overlook
- 10. Visit Balcony House
- 9. Take a Backcountry Tour to Square Tower House
- 8. Read the Writing on the Wall
- 7. Camp in a Canyon
- 6. Ski Through Mesa Verde National Park
- 5. “Fall” In Love with Mesa Verde
- 4. Have a Meal at Mesa Verde National Park
- 3. Step Into a Step House
- 2. Take the Trail along Far View
- 1. See the Largest Cliff Dwelling in North America
- Summary of Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
- Map of Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
- Pin Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
5 Quick Things to Know About Mesa Verde National Park
- The entrance fee per vehicle is $30. Purchase the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 to get year-round access to more than 2,000 public lands.
- Use sunscreen year-round here since Mesa Verde National Park is at an elevation between 7,000 and 8,400 feet. You’ll need bug spray, too.
- Limited mobile service means you need a map and a guidebook.
- You’ll love our favorite hotel near Mesa Verde National Park.
- Roads in Mesa Verde are steep and winding. Stick to the speed limit and keep focused on the road. Cyclists without a lot of experience on similar roads might want to rethink the ride.
Guided vs. Self-Guided Tours in Mesa Verde National Park
For the safety and sanctity of the park’s key features, the most popular things to do in Mesa Verde National Park will require tickets for a ranger-led tour.
If you want to walk inside a cliff-dwelling home, you’ll need to pay for a ranger-led tour, which is only available during certain times of the year.
Self-guided tours and hiking trails will take you to some artifact areas or provide great vista views of cliff dwellings from a distance. Mesa Verde tours are worth the splurge and the wait.
The park also offers podcasts to help with audio tours that you can take at your own pace, like the Mesa Top Loop Drive Audio Tour.
Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
15. Watch “Footprints of Our Ancestors”
No matter where this falls on any list, it should be the first thing you do. To appreciate the land filled with things to do in Mesa Verde National Park, you have to understand it.
One reason why this is so important is because Native American knowledge, history, and traditions are largely oral lessons. There aren’t libraries filled with books from 700 years ago. That’s why many of the park rangers here are direct descendants of those who lived among the cliffs.
You can also learn more about the culture and importance of this land by visiting the Chapin Mesa Museum, 20 miles from the park entrance before you arrive at the park.
GET A HEAD START: The Footprints of Our Ancestors movie is available to view online before your trip or at the visitor’s center.
14. Take the Scenic Route along Mesa Top Loop Drive
One of the best things to do in Mesa Verde National Park is to take the six-mile Mesa Top Loop Road drive to get a lay of the land and a feel for the road winding, narrow, steep road.
This is also a great option on hot or rainy days since you can see so much from the safety of your car or on short trails. Several roadside pull-outs offer views of the following:
- Square Tower House Overlook
- Sun Point View
- Oak Tree House Overlook
- Fire Temple and New Fire House Overlooks
- Sun Temple (best panoramic view of Cliff Palace)
The ride is also a must-do since there is just one entrance to this park, and hiking to all corners isn’t feasible for the average hiker.
13. Capture the Night Sky During a Campfire Chat
Among the nighttime things to do in Mesa Verde National Park is seeing the night sky. In 2021, Mesa Verde became the 100th International Dark Sky Park. As with most things at Mesa Verde National Park, there’s more to the night skies than just celestial sites.
The Indigenous people relied on the stars and sun/moon cycles for guidance. Those stories are still told around campfires and in the park.
Check the park schedule for night programs at the Morefield Amphiteatre, where these stories are told and legends are preserved.
12. Walk the Knife Edge for Sunset Views
Some people might tell you that Knife Edge Trail shouldn’t be one of the top things to do in Mesa Verde National Park. Those people have not seen this trail during the sunset.
The trail spans two miles with ongoing sweeping views of Montezuma Valley below. That means 180° views (or more) of the western sky. The trail will be hot on summer days but often snow-covered in winter. It’s also the first road that brought visitors to the park, giving it a nice historical nudge.
It’s also close to the main entrance and short enough that you can come back quickly for help if needed.
11. Circle Soda Canyon Overlook
I am fully transparent about the anxiety and overthinking that plague my life, but I also know I am not alone. It’s one reason I am called by nature to places that make me (and all my worries) feel smaller in the big picture of the universe.
The Soda Canyon Overlook is one of the things to do in Mesa Verde National Park that will melt away worries and help you see the beauty in a world otherwise consumed with worry.
The trail here is easy enough at just 1.2 miles, but it offers a reward as the only place to see Balcony House if you don’t take a ranger-led tour. The trail does close in winter.
10. Visit Balcony House
One look at Balcony House from afar and you’ll want to get closer. It’s one of the things to do in Mesa Verde National Park that requires a ranger to get you there. Tours are available from late April through mid-October.
The Balcony House tour will teach you many things, starting with the fact that Balcony House isn’t a house. It’s an entire village.
You should know you’ll climb ladders, face steep heights, and be in confined spaces at times on the Balcony House tour. For example, part of the tour requires guests to crawl through an 18-inch wide tunnel that’s 12 feet long.
9. Take a Backcountry Tour to Square Tower House
Once you see Square Tower House from the scenic drive, you’ll likely want to get a closer look at the tallest structure in the park. This is a backcountry tour, so don’t let the one-mile length of the trial convince you this is easy.
The trail is rugged, with steep drops and switchbacks along the way with two ladder climbs. Scrambling is required, and some steep hills will put those calves to work. This is one of the things to do in Mesa Verde National Park that requires tickets, but book early because these sell out quickly.
8. Read the Writing on the Wall
Petroglyph Point Trail gives hikers an up-close look at petroglyphs carved in the stone. Think of the route you drive from your home to your favorite grocery store or community gathering spot. That’s what this trail was to the ancestral Puebloan but with a narrow walkway and steep drop-offs.
You’ll squeeze through tight rock walls and come across shaded alcoves with steep stairs up and down the trail.
SPRUCE TREE HOUSE TOUR: Quick update on Spruce Tree House, which would be the #1 thing to do in Mesa Verde National Park if it was open. Safety concerns caused it to close in 2015. A public comment period wrapped up in 2026 as the park official works to find an environmentally smart solution to stabilizing the arch.
7. Camp in a Canyon
Morefield Campground has nearly 270 campsites in Mesa Verde National Park, yet you’ll feel as secluded as can be once you’re settled in, thanks to a well-planned layout. Tents, trailers, and RVs are welcome here.
This is also a hiker’s paradise as four trails weave around Morefield Canyon. Upon return, this campground is far from “roughing it,” as showers, laundry, a grocery store, and an internet connection are all available. There’s even a morning pancake breakfast served.
In winter, these trails become groomed for Nordic or cross-country skiing.
6. Ski Through Mesa Verde National Park
The things to do in Mesa Verde National Park’s winters include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Whether you prefer a groomed trail that’s easy to coast along or want a more rugged trek through the backcountry, there is a space for everyone. You’ll likely go for miles without seeing another person.
Snowshoe rentals are available at the visitor’s center. For the best view of cliff dwellings in winter, take the Cliff Palace Loop Trail. It’s pretty flat, but it goes for 6.5 miles.
MORE: Here’s a map of the winter trails available at Mesa Verda National Park.
5. “Fall” In Love with Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde National Park simply basks in the glow of the seasonal change during late September and October. Despite the rocky nature of the park, the name Mesa Verde means “Green Table” due to the flat mesa and green plants, bushes, and trees.
What turns green can also turn during autumn’s transition. I heard more than one person comment that they had no idea the park would have such stunning foliage.
It’s also a great time to avoid the large summer crowds while fitting into a tour before the season ends in late October. You get more hiking options because you don’t have to worry about the extreme heat of summer days.
MORE FALL FAVORITES: 10 Best National Parks to Visit in Fall – Expert Rankings
4. Have a Meal at Mesa Verde National Park
Whether you want to carb up with a sunrise breakfast for a long hike ahead or dine in elegance with sweeping 100+ mile views, the Far View Lodge offers several things to do in Mesa Verde National Park that revolve around the food and culture of the land.
The Far View Terrance is open seasonally, with breakfast starting at 7:00 a.m. You’ll see the sun sweeping over the landscape while getting a custom-made omelet. At night, enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink at the Far View Lounge with a creative menu of apps and entrees.
Metate is the restaurant ranked as one of the best in Colorado and brings seasonal elegance to the Mesa Verde National Park experience. Make dinner reservations or wait for a table by the windows for the best views.
The best part? All the dining options have no dress codes. Come as you are and eat as much as you’d like.
3. Step Into a Step House
Step House is one of the favorite things to do in Mesa Verde National Park for those who want to explore a cliff dwelling without having to schedule a tour. There’s an added bonus that rangers will be along the path to answer questions.
The name “Step House” refers to the stepped configuration of the dwellings, which were constructed at different levels within the alcove. A fascinating fact about this dwelling is that archeologists have found evidence of two different Indigenous generations in this space.
Step House is in Wetherill Mesa, a less crowded and quieter part of the park. I found this to be a great place for meditation and relaxation.
2. Take the Trail along Far View
The popular cliff dwellings surmise the grandness of the legacy left behind, but it’s places like Far View where I felt I could really get more into the minutia of daily life 700 years back.
One of the most interesting things to do in Mesa Verde National Park is to learn about the kivas, which were ceremonial rooms that were among the first parts of any community or home to be built. They stand out as circular indentions into the earth.
This trail is also great for people who can’t handle the more strenuous cliff-dwelling hikes. My mind can usually overcome my left arthritic knee, but I found this trail to be a welcome relief as it was less than a mile long and included information panels along the way. I could go at my own pace.
1. See the Largest Cliff Dwelling in North America
Mesa Verde’s Cliff Palace stands out in many ways, but the sheer size is what really garners a lot of attention. One of the reasons is that you start the Cliff Palace tour from the overlook, where you can see into the building and get a grasp of the huge size.
One of the park rangers who hosts this tour says, “In my opinion, it’s the best archaeological site we have on the continent.”
The Cliff Palace tour goes down some stairs carved into the mountain and then up ladders where you can see the holes in the rock that were used to climb 800 years ago. It is believed this location was the central gathering spot of the people, serving as government, church, and social gatherings.
WATCH: Here’s what to expect when taking a tour of Cliff Palace
Summary of Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
- See the Largest Cliff Dwelling in North America
- Take the Trail along Far View
- Step Into Step House
- Have a Meal at Mesa Verde National Park
- “Fall” In Love with Mesa Verde
- Ski Through Mesa Verde National Park
- Camp in a Canyon
- Read the Writing on the Wall
- Take a Backcountry Tour to Square Tower House
- Visit Balcony House
- Circle Soda Canyon Overlook
- Walk the Knife Edge for Sunset Views
- Capture the Night Sky During a Campfire Chat
- Take the Scenic Route along Mesa Top Loop Drive
- Watch “Footprint of Our Ancestors”
Map of Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
Pin Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
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Set an alarm for 8:00 AM MDT exactly 14 days before your visit. Tour tickets for Cliff Palace and Balcony House sell out in under 30 minutes. Have your Recreation.gov account loaded, payment info saved, and refresh at 8:00 sharp.
Do Balcony House if you can only pick one tour. Cliff Palace is more famous, but Balcony House is the experience. You climb a 32-foot ladder to enter, crawl through an 18-inch tunnel, and navigate original stone steps. Not suitable for anyone with claustrophobia or fear of heights.
Budget 45 minutes just to drive from the park entrance to the cliff dwellings. The road from the US-160 entrance to Chapin Mesa is 21 miles of winding mountain road. If your tour starts at 10:00 AM, leave Cortez by 8:30 at the latest.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 7-day vehicle pass costs $30 in summer (May 1 to October 22) and $20 in winter. Walk-in or bicycle entry is $15, and motorcycles pay $25 in summer and $15 in winter. Entrance station is credit/debit only.
Yes. All ranger-led cliff dwelling tours require advance reservations through Recreation.gov. Tickets release on a rolling 14-day window at 8:00 AM MDT and sell out within minutes during peak season. Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Long House, and smaller dwellings all require tickets.
May through early October is when cliff dwelling tours operate and the full park is open. June and September hit the balance between access and crowd levels. Late July and August bring afternoon thunderstorms that can make the mesa roads slick.
Plan for at least 1 full day for one cliff dwelling tour, Mesa Top Loop Drive, and the museum. Ideally spend 2 days for multiple cliff dwelling tours, Wetherill Mesa for Long House, and the Soda Canyon Overlook hike.
The nearest major airport is Durango-La Plata County (DRO), about 50 minutes to the park entrance. The park entrance is directly off US-160, 10 miles east of Cortez.
Best Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park
May through early October is when cliff dwelling tours operate and the full park is open. June and September hit the balance between access and crowd levels. Late July and August bring afternoon thunderstorms that can be dramatic but also make the mesa roads slick. April and late October have reduced services but you can still drive the mesa top loops without the tour crowds.
How to Get to Mesa Verde National Park
The nearest major airport is Durango-La Plata County (DRO), about 50 minutes to the park entrance. From Albuquerque (ABQ), it is about 4 hours via US-550 North to US-160 West. The park entrance is directly off US-160, 10 miles east of Cortez.
