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.
Photo: NPS Photo
Mesa Verde National Park
For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde.
- LocationMancos, CO
- Entrance $30 private vehicle
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now63°F Sunny
- Alerts 1 active alert
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Archeology
- Cliff Dwellings
- Climate Change
- Fire
- Forests and Woodlands
- Geology
- Native American Heritage
3 more topics
- Night Sky
- Schools and Education
- Trails
Alerts (1)
InformationRoad Construction Road work will begin on the first four miles of the Main Park Road during the week of September 20 - 26. Expect delays u… Read more
Road work will begin on the first four miles of the Main Park Road during the week of September 20 - 26. Expect delays up to 15 minutes. Far View Sites and Cedar Tree Tower are closed for road improvements. Wetherill Mesa Road has compacted gravel for 30 feet; motorcycles should take extra caution on this road.
Things to Do
20 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Camping
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
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Morefield Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
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 flowers…
Reservation websiteDetails
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 flowers, deer, and wild turkeys. Each site has a picnic table, gravel tent pad, and fire pit/BBQ grill. A camp store offers registration, food, and camp supplies. Firewood, gasoline, showers, a coin-operated laundromat, and a kennel are located nearby. The campground is managed by park concessioner Aramark and is open between spring and fall.
Facilities & Services
Find tours, tickets, visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Tours & Tickets
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Mesa Verde National Park
Ticket Facility
Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to…
Book tickets on Recreation.gov 970-529-4465 Directions
Details
Overview:
Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects over 4,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.Road work is expected during the spring and summer. Plan extra travel time within the park.
Natural Features:
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Visitor Centers
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Mesa Verde Museum
Visitor Center
Located at milepost 20, the Mesa Verde Mesa Museum offers exhibits and cultural objects that provide insight into the Ancestral Pueblo lifeways. An orientation film is…
Mile .7 Headquarters Loop Road, Mesa Verde National Park, CO (970) 529-4465 Directions
Details
Located at milepost 20, the Mesa Verde Mesa Museum offers exhibits and cultural objects that provide insight into the Ancestral Pueblo lifeways. An orientation film is shown on the hour and half-hour, providing an excellent overview of the history at Mesa Verde. A museum store, water, restrooms, café, gift shop, and post office are all located nearby. Just behind the museum is a stunning view of Spruce Tree House, the third largest and best-preserved cliff dwelling in the park.
Other Visitor Services
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Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
Facility
Located at the park entrance, off Highway 160, this is the park’s primary facility for orienting visitors to opportunities within the park and surrounding area…
34840 Hwy 160, Mancos, CO (970) 529-4465 Directions
Details
Located at the park entrance, off Highway 160, this is the park’s primary facility for orienting visitors to opportunities within the park and surrounding area. Accessible exhibits explore the richness of Ancestral Pueblo culture and daily life. The Mesa Verde Museum Association Park Store offers books, trail guides, maps, and other items that you may find useful during or after your visit, and free Wi-Fi. Restrooms are located near the entrance to the visitor center.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · Mesa Verde National Park Hours
Hours details
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Mesa Verde National Park HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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
- $30Private Vehicle
- $25Motorcycle
- $15Per Person
All 6 fees & details
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Private Vehicle$30
Valid for 7 days.
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Motorcycle$25
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
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Per Person$15
Valid for 7 days.
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Private Vehicle$20
Purchase digital park entrance passes on recreation.gov at no additional cost. Once purchased, passes for Mesa Verde National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone is highly recommended. Passes, including the America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, or Senior pass may be purchased at the entrance station upon arrival.
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Per Person$15
Purchase digital park entrance passes on recreation.gov at no additional cost. Once purchased, passes for Mesa Verde National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone is highly recommended. Passes, including the America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, or Senior pass may be purchased at the entrance station upon arrival.
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Motorcycle$15
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Passes
- $55Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
- Annual Entrance - Park
Details: Fee good for a year, beginning from the date of sale.
Weather
63°F
Sunny · feels like 61°
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Today
70° 49°
Sunny4% rain
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Tomorrow
72° 55°
Sunny2% rain
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Saturday
76° 56°
Sunny2% rain
Updated 3 hr ago
What to expect by season
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.
Contact the park
Upcoming Events
1 coming up-
Sunday Bird Walk
About
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
CANCELLED: August 17th: Wetherill Mesa Kiosk, 7:30 AM
Conditions: 5-mile paved trail, minimal shade Species: Meadowlarks, wrens, sparrows
September 21st: Knife Edge Trail, 7:00 AM
Conditions: 2-mile dirt trail, minimal elevation gain Species: Warblers, grosbeaks, hummingbirds
October 19th: Cedar Tree Tower, 7:30 AM
Conditions: Paved road, unpaved trail, 150 ft elevation gain Species: Swallows, warblers, wrens
Photos
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Square Tower House from overlook along the Mesa Top Loop — NPS Photo -
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Getting There
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.
Full directions
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.
Mailing address: PO Box 8, Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330
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