📘 Park Overview
For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth.
🌤 Weather Information
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.
🚗 Directions
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.
Images
Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde's Largest Cliff Dwelling
Credit: NPS Photo
Visitors enjoying Step House, on Wetherill Mesa
Credit: NPS Photo
View of Balcony House from the Soda Canyon Overlook
Credit: NPS Photo
Square Tower House from overlook along the Mesa Top Loop
Credit: NPS Photo
Spruce Tree House
Credit: NPS Photo
Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde's third largest and best preserved cliff dwelling
Credit: NPS Photo
Stop by the Mesa Verde Visitor & Research Center at the park entrance where park staff will help you plan your visit.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Aug 10
Sunny
High: 93.5°F | Low: 64.7°F
Humidity: 27%
Wind: 15.4 mph
Rain Chance: 17%
UV Index: 9.7
Sunrise: 06:26 AM
Sunset: 08:12 PM
Moon: New Moon (4%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 64.4°F
Cloud Cover: 17%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Aug 11
Sunny
High: 94.2°F | Low: 63.8°F
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 17.2 mph
Rain Chance: 57%
UV Index: 9.3
Sunrise: 06:27 AM
Sunset: 08:11 PM
Moon: New Moon (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 63.8°F
Cloud Cover: 57%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Aug 12
Patchy rain nearby
High: 87.1°F | Low: 62.5°F
Humidity: 49%
Wind: 14.1 mph
Rain Chance: 57%
UV Index: 9.5
Sunrise: 06:28 AM
Sunset: 08:10 PM
Moon: New Moon (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 63.9°F
Cloud Cover: 57%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Sunday Bird Walk
Join a park ranger for a monthly morning bird walk, all skill levels welcome! A different location each month. Bring water as well as appropriate footwear and clothing. Be prepared for poor weather. Binoculars and field guides are available.
April 26th: Morefield Village, 7:00 AM
Conditions: Paved roads and walkways Species: Falcons, bluebirds, eagles
May 17th: Knife Edge Trailhead, 7:00 AM
Conditions: 2-mile dirt trail, minimal elevation gain Species: Warblers, grosbeaks, hummingbirds
June 21st: Mancos River (Meet at VRC), 7:00 AM
Conditions: Dirt road driving, rushy riverside ecosystem, no formal trail Species: Warblers, chats, buntings
July 19th: Spruce Canyon Trailhead, 7:00 AM
Conditions: 2.4-mile canyon trail, 600 feet elevation gain Species: Vireos, jays, vultures
August 17th: Wetherill Mesa Kiosk, 7:30 AM
Conditions: 5-mile paved trail, minimal shade Species: Meadowlarks, wrens, sparrows
September 21st: Far View Sites, 7:00 AM
Conditions: .75-mile flat dirt trail Species: Warblers, titmice, chickadees
October 19th: Cedar Tree Tower, 7:30 AM
Conditions: Paved road, unpaved trail, 150 ft elevation gain Species: Swallows, warblers, wrens
Date: Apr 26, 2026 12:00am to Apr 26, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunday Bird Walk
Join a park ranger for a monthly morning bird walk, all skill levels welcome! A different location each month. Bring water as well as appropriate footwear and clothing. Be prepared for poor weather. Binoculars and field guides are available.
April 26th: Morefield Village, 7:00 AM
Conditions: Paved roads and walkways Species: Falcons, bluebirds, eagles
May 17th: Knife Edge Trailhead, 7:00 AM
Conditions: 2-mile dirt trail, minimal elevation gain Species: Warblers, grosbeaks, hummingbirds
June 21st: Mancos River (Meet at VRC), 7:00 AM
Conditions: Dirt road driving, rushy riverside ecosystem, no formal trail Species: Warblers, chats, buntings
July 19th: Spruce Canyon Trailhead, 7:00 AM
Conditions: 2.4-mile canyon trail, 600 feet elevation gain Species: Vireos, jays, vultures
August 17th: Wetherill Mesa Kiosk, 7:30 AM
Conditions: 5-mile paved trail, minimal shade Species: Meadowlarks, wrens, sparrows
September 21st: Far View Sites, 7:00 AM
Conditions: .75-mile flat dirt trail Species: Warblers, titmice, chickadees
October 19th: Cedar Tree Tower, 7:30 AM
Conditions: Paved road, unpaved trail, 150 ft elevation gain Species: Swallows, warblers, wrens
Date: May 17, 2026 12:00am to May 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Annual Indigenous Art and Culture Festival 2026
Join Mesa Verde National Park for the Annual Indigenous Art and Culture Festival, a celebration of the culture, art, and history of the peoples of Mesa Verde! Events include an art market featuring over 30 artists with a wide variety of goods, cultural demonstrations, and traditional dances by the Lomayestewa Family of Hopi.
Saturday, July 4th
Location: Visitor and Research Center
Indigenous Art Market: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Traditional Hopi dances with the Lomayestewa family: 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Sunday, July 5th
Location: Mesa Verde Museum (Cultural Demonstrations) and Chapin Mesa Ampitheater (Dances)
Cultural Demonstrations: 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm
Traditional Hopi dances with the Lomayestewa family: 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm. 3:00 pm
Location: Saturday's events, such as the art market and dances, will take place at the Visitor and Research Center, just off of Highway 160 near the park entrance. Sunday's events, such as Cultural Demonstrations and dances, will take place in the Mesa Verde Museum and the Chapin Mesa Ampitheater, a 20-mile drive into the park.
Date: Jul 4, 2026 12:00am to Jul 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Annual Indigenous Art and Culture Festival
Join Mesa Verde National Park for the Annual Indigenous Art and Culture Festival, a celebration of the culture, art, and history of the peoples of Mesa Verde! Events include an art market featuring over 30 artists with a wide variety of goods, cultural demonstrations, and traditional dances by the Lomayestewa Family of Hopi.
Saturday, July 4th
Location: Visitor and Research Center
Indigenous Art Market: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Traditional Hopi dances with the Lomayestewa family: 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Sunday, July 5th
Location: Mesa Verde Museum (Cultural Demonstrations) and Chapin Mesa Ampitheater (Dances)
Cultural Demonstrations: 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm
Traditional Hopi dances with the Lomayestewa family: 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm. 3:00 pm
Location: Saturday's events, such as the art market and dances, will take place at the Visitor and Research Center, just off of Highway 160 near the park entrance. Sunday's events, such as Cultural Demonstrations and dances, will take place in the Mesa Verde Museum and the Chapin Mesa Ampitheater, a 20-mile drive into the park.
Date: Jul 5, 2026 12:00am to Jul 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
34840 Hwy 160
Mancos, CO 81328
🏤 Mailing Address:
PO Box 8
Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330
📞 Voice Phone: 970-529-4465
📞 Fax Phone: 970-529-4637
✉️ Email: meve_general_information@nps.gov