by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Mesa Verde GuideSummer 2020 |
Brochure of Visitor Activities in Summer at Mesa Verde National Park (NP) in Colorado. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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covered parks
Visitor Activities
Summer, 2020
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Mesa Verde National Park
Last Updated: May 24, 2020
View of Cliff Palace from Overlook
Welcome to Mesa Verde National Park! Mesa Verde offers a spectacular look into
the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years,
from 550 to 1300. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites,
including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best
preserved in the United States. From the many sites located here and in the
surrounding Four Corners area, archeologists have compiled one of the most
significant chapters in the story of ancient America.
Message from the
Superintendent
Cliff Spencer
Virtual Ranger
Station
Spruce Tree House
Overlook
Welcome to Mesa Verde National Park. This year our operation looks a little different.
We thank you for your understanding as we work hard to keep you, our staff, and the
resources we protect safe. We encourage you to practice good health measures throughout your stay.
•
Please keep six feet (2 m) distance between you and other visitors to reduce the
spread of COVID-19.
•
Thoroughly wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching railings, door
handles, and other objects.
•
Please consider wearing a mask as a courtesy to others. Wearing a mask can help
prevent transmission of the virus even if you or others do not feel sick.
The park is opened under limited operation due to COVID-19, so much of your visit will
be self-guided. The cliff dwellings are closed, but there is still plenty to see and do, including magnificent cliff dwelling views. If you haven’t used our new Online Virtual Ranger
Station to plan your visit, please make sure to stop at the Visitor & Research Center, near
the park entrance. A Virtual Ranger Station has been set up just outside. There, you can
scan codes using your cell phone or other mobile device to learn what self-guided opportunities there are for you to enjoy while in the park. (Cell service is extremely limited beyond
this point.) Restrooms are available and rangers will be roving the station to answer questions.
Spruce Tree House is the park’s third largest and
best-preserved cliff dwelling. Constructed between
1211 and 1278, it was built into a natural alcove.
It contains 130 rooms, eight kivas, and may have
housed 60 to 80 people.
You can observe Spruce Tree House from points
near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.
Cliff Palace
Overlooks
Cliff Palace is the park’s largest cliff dwelling.
You will find several views from overlooks; all
from different angles and all worthwhile.
On the Mesa Top Loop Drive, we recommend
stopping at Sun Point View to see it and several
other cliff dwellings along the canyon walls.
Balcony House
Overlook
Balcony House is medium-sized cliff dwelling
with 40 rooms, including two kivas. Although not
visible from the roadway, you can view Balcony
House from the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail, a
1.25 mile (1.9 km) roundtrip hike.
(See map on page 2)
Spruce Tree House
A much closer view is available from Sun Temple,
the last stop on the Mesa Top Loop.
Another fantastic viewpoint is just a short walk
along a paved trail from the Cliff Palace parking
lot. This is located along the Cliff Palace/Balcony
House Loop Drive. (See map on on page 2)
Balcony House from Soda Canyon Overlook
Explore On
Your Own
Mesa Top Loop Road is a 6-mile (10 km) drive with
short paved trails to view twelve easily-accessible
archeological sites, including surface sites and cliff
dwelling overlooks. Highlights include Square Tower
House Overlook, and views of Cliff Palace from
Sun Point View and Sun Temple. The Mesa Top Loop
Road is open daily, 8:00 am to sunset.
Cliff Palace Loop Road is open daily, 8:00 am to
sunset. Highlights include a spectacular view of
Cliff Palace and the 1.2 mile (1.9 km) Soda Canyon
Overlook Trail with views of Balcony House.
Petroglyph Point Trail begins near the museum.
This adventurous trail winds below the edge of
Chapin Mesa and leads to a large petroglyph panel
located 1.4 miles (2.3 km) from the trailhead. The
trail is rugged and rocky along the canyon wall
to the panel. After the panel, you’ll scramble up a
large stone staircase to the top, and enjoy an easy
return through forest to complete the loop.
Register at the trailhead. Bring plenty of water!
Spruce Canyon Trail starts from the top of
Chapin Mesa and follows along the bottom of
Spruce Canyon. This scenic trail winds through
excellent wildlife habitat. A steep climb leads out
of the canyon and then passes through the picnic
area before returning to the museum. Register at the
trailhead. Bring plenty of water!
Far View Sites Complex is a mesa top
community that was a place of modest homes
interspersed with small farm fields between 900
and 1300. Follow the woodland trail among
six sites to learn about Ancestral Pueblo life in
the surrounding landscape. The level, unpaved
¾-mile trail (1.2 km) is open 8:00 am to sunset.
Parking is limited to vehicles under 25 feet.
Additional hiking trails are located throughout
the park. You can download a hiking guide on our
hiking page.
Far View Sites
Visitor Services
National Park Service
970-529-4465, www.nps.gov/meve
Mesa Verde Museum Association, Park Partner
970-529-4445, www.mesaverde.org
Information
Virtual Ranger Station* and Restrooms
Located just outside the Visitor & Research Center
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
*Note: You can also visit the Online Virtual Ranger Station
before you arrive.
Picnic Area
Chapin Mesa Picnic Area
Cliff Palace Picnic Area
Know the Rules
of the Park
8:00 am to sunset
8:00 am to sunset
Morefield Campground and Camp Store
Open
Far View Terrace, Café and Gift Shop
Open
Far View Lodge, Gift Shop, and Restaurant
Open
Spruce Tree Terrace Café
Open
We want you to have a safe and enjoyable visit.
Follow park rules, not only to protect yourself, but
also to preserve Mesa Verde’s archeological sites and
natural environment.
• Archeological structures are fragile. Take care not
to touch, sit, stand, climb, or lean on walls.
• Leashed pets can be walked along paved roads
and in parking lots. Pets are not allowed on trails,
in archeological sites, or in buildings. Do not leave
pets unattended.
• Help us keep wildlife wild. It is illegal to feed,
stalk, capture, or tease wildlife.
For Your Safety
Aramark, Park Partner
800-449-2288, www.visitmesaverde.com
Concession facilities are also reopening in phases,
so please see their website for operating hours and
dining menus.
In case of emergency, call 911
Park Road Advisory
• Follow all traffic signs
• Beware of rocks and wildlife on the road
• Please follow CDC recommendations on page 1
and also found on their website at CDC.gov.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
Chipmunk
High Elevation
• Mesa Verde ranges from 7,000 feet (2,134 km)
elevation to 8,572 feet (2,613 km) at Park Point.
The air is thin and very dry. Stay hydrated!
• Consider your physical health BEFORE hiking
or going on tours.
• Carry and DRINK plenty of water.
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