Mesa Verde National Park

There are cliff dwellings, and then there is the Mesa Verde National Park. It remains one of the most magnificent collections of dwellings in the entire Southwest.

Mesa Verde National Park was home to the Ancestral Pueblo, who lived here from approximately 600 AD to 1300 AD. Today, you can experience their prehistoric way of life with well-preserved ruins. Cliff Palace is the national park’s main attraction, offering a trip back in time.

During the summer, ranger-led tours take visitors right into the heart of the dwellings. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, a nearby overlook will give you a full view of the site.

Mesa Verda’s cliff dwellings are the star attraction, but there are thousands of archeological sites within the park. You can access these sites with hiking trails that lead to lookouts and interesting sites such as petroglyphs.

Mesa Verde is located near the towns of Cortez and Mancos. The park is accessible via a long road that leads high up above the surrounding landscape. The drive from the neighboring highway to the site takes about 45 minutes. One of the many visitor centers is located near the highway. You can get all the information about the park and the road conditions. You can also book a ranger-led tour of Cliff Palace from the visitor center.