Are you planning your trip to southwest Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park? It’s a unique park with incredible, well-preserved Pueblo cliff dwellings, ancient structures, pit houses and petroglyphs.
As you start your planning, you may well be wondering: Can you fly to Mesa Verde National Park? The answer is yes, you can, but you will then need to drive (or take a day tour) to get into the national park. The park has only one entrance, and from there it’s a narrow, winding drive up to the top of the mesa.
There are several small towns nearby, including Cortez, Mancos and Durango. Major cities (and airports) are much further afield, however. Which can make it tricky to decide where to fly into.
In this guide, we’ll look at all the airports near Mesa Verde National Park.
‼️ If you just want to know the nearest airport, read my guide to the Airport Nearest Mesa Verde National Park. ‼️
No time right now to read about the airports you can use to fly to Mesa Verde National Park? Pin It and save it for later:
What are the best airports near Mesa Verde National Park?
The airports near Mesa Verde are:
🛫 Cortez, CO (CEZ)
🛫 Durango La Plata County Airport (DRO)
🛫 Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
🛫 Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
🛫 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
🛫 Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY)
🛫 Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
🛫 Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
🛫 Denver International Airport (DEN)
Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ)
Cortez Municipal Airport is the airport closest to Mesa Verde National Park. It’s just 15 miles from the national park’s entrance and lies between the national park and the nearby Ute Mountain area.
Cortez Municipal is small, but has daily commercial flights on Denver Air Connection from/ to Denver International Airport and Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport.
You can get offsite car rental services through Enterprise upon arriving at Cortez Municipal. Within 20 minutes, you’ll be at the park’s entrance, so it’s just a quick drive to get there.
Location
The airport is located just 3 miles from the southwest area of Cortez in Montezuma County, Colorado.
Distance from Cortez to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance from Cortez, Colorado to Mesa Verde National Park: 15 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time from Cortez, CO to Mesa Verde National Park: 20 minutes
What airlines fly out of Cortez, CO Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Denver Air Connection: connecting commercial flights to Denver International Airport and Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport.
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Offsite: Enterprise
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Cortez, CO Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Rental car
Pros
- The nearest airport to Mesa Verde National Park
- Connecting flights to Denver International Airport and Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport
Cons
- Limited operational hours
- Limited flight options
- Only has one car rental service offered
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park …
✔️ If you’re taking connecting flights via Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport or Denver International Airport.
✔️ You want to minimize drive time to the airport
Durango – La Plata County Airport (DRO)
Durango-La Plata County Airport serves the Four Corners region in the southwest. This regional airport offers daily nonstop flights to Phoenix, Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth. The airport is serviced by two major air companies, American Airlines and United Airlines.
You can get car rentals onsite through Alamo/National, Avis/Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz/Dollar. It’s the second closest airport to Mesa Verde, so it will take you about an hour to get to the park’s entrance. It’s gives you quick access to the park especially if you’re planning to maximize your trip to southwest Colorado.
Location
Durango-La Plata County Airport lies 12 miles southeast of the small city of Durango in La Plata County.
Distance from Durango to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance to Mesa Verde National Park: 50 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Mesa Verde National Park: 55 minutes
What airlines fly out of Durango La Plata County Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ American Airlines: Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix
✈️ United Airlines: Denver
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Onsite: Alamo/National, Avis/Budget, Enterprise, Hertz/Dollar
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Durango La Plata County Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Renting a car
Pros
- You can get to the park in approximately less than an hour
- Access to connecting flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix and Denver
- Several car rental options
- Open year round
Cons
- Limited airline services and flights to choose from
- Only has connected flights to three US cities
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park…
✔️ If you’re also visiting Durango and it’s nearby attractions
✔️ If you want an accessible drive to the national park
✔️ If you don’t want to drive at all – tours to Mesa Verde National Park are available from Durango
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
Albuquerque International Sunport is the largest airport in New Mexico. Aside from its famous distinct architecture and décor, the airport serves millions of passengers every year.
The airport is served by eight major airline companies which offer non-stop domestic flights to over 20 US cities. You can get car rental services 24 hours a day at the offsite Car Rental Center. A free shuttle service is provided to get you from the terminal building to the car rental area.
Driving from Sunport will take you more or less than 4 hours to Mesa Verde National Park. While in the Albuquerque area, you can also check other attractions like Santa Fe and Petroglyph National Monument.
Location
The airport in Bernalillo County, three miles southeast of Downtown Albuquerque.
Distance from Albuquerque to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance Mesa Verde to Albuquerque: 248 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Mesa Verde National Park: 4 hours and 10 minutes
What airlines fly out of Albuquerque International Sunport Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Advanced Air: Silver City
✈️ Frontier Airlines: Las Vegas
✈️ Alaska Airlines: Seattle/Tacoma, Portland
✈️ JetBlue Airways: New York/John F. Kennedy
✈️ American Airlines: Dallas -FW, Los Angeles, Chicago-O’Hare, Phoenix, Austin
✈️ Southwest Airlines: San Francisco/Oakland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago/Midway, Phoenix/Sky Harbor, Austin, Burbank, San Diego, Baltimore/ Washington, DC, San Antonio
✈️ Boutique Air: Carlsbad
✈️ Spirit Airlines: Las Vegas
✈️ Delta Air Lines: Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Minneapolis/Saint Paul
✈️ United Airlines: Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Houston/George Bush, San Francisco/International, Los Angeles
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Offsite (Car Rental Center): Alamo, Enterprise, AVIS, Hertz, Budget, National, Dollar, Payless, ACE Rent a Car, Thrifty, SIXT
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Albuquerque International Sunport Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Car rental service
Pros
- More flight and airline services from several key US cities
- Plenty of car rental services are available
- Stop at attractions near Albuquerque like Santa Fe and Petroglyph National Monument or venture further south first to visit White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Cons
- Long drive to the park
- Only domestic flights are offered here
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park …
✔️ If you’re planning a road trip to Mesa Verde National Park that includes New Mexico attractions
Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
Grand Junction Airport is western Colorado’s largest airport. You can get direct flights on three airlines – Allegiant, American Airlines, and United to Las Vegas, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, and occasionally Los Angeles.
Onsite car rental services available for you at this airport include Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.
If you’re getting on the I-70 W route, you can continue along US-191 S >> US-491 S >> US-160 to the national park. You can drop by McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Arches National Park along the way.
Location
The airport sits three miles northeast of Grand Junction in Mesa County, north of Mesa Verde.
Distance to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance to Mesa Verde National Park: 237 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Mesa Verde National Park: 3 hours and 50 minutes
What airlines fly out of Grand Junction Regional Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Allegiant: Las Vegas, seasonal flight service to Los Angeles
✈️ American Airline: Dallas, Phoenix, seasonal flight service to Los Angeles
✈️ United: Denver
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Onsite: Alamo, AVIS Budget, Enterprise Rent-a-car, Hertz, National
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Grand Junction Regional Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Rental car
Pros
- Open all year round
- Visit other sights near Grand Junction like Canyon View Park and Dominguez Canyon
Cons
- Long drive to Mesa Verde
- Seasonal flights only to Los Angeles
- Limited airline services and flights
- For domestic flights only
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park …
✔️ If you’re flying into Grand Junction or nearby areas
✔️ If you’re taking a road trip through Colorado and western Utah
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport serves over 100 domestic and 23 international flight destinations. You have options from eighteen airlines offering direct flights to major cities, which makes it easier to get cheaper flights and points with frequent flyer programs from your favorite airlines. Plenty of car rental options are available at the nearby offsite facility.
Travel time from the airport to Mesa Verde National Park Entrance Station is approximately six and a half hours. It’s much farther but there are plenty of scenic spots to see along the way. Phoenix Sky Harbor is a good option if you’re also planning to also see attractions in the Arizona area like Williams, Sedona, Flagstaff, or Grand Canyon National Park.
Location
This international airport is located about 3 miles east of the Downtown Phoenix area.
Distance to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance from Phoenix to Mesa Verde National Park: 422 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Mesa Verde National Park: 6 hours and 45 minutes
What airlines fly out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ This airport has nonstop connecting flights across US and international airports.
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Offsite: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, NÜ Car Rentals, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Grand Canyon National Park
🚘 Rental Car
Pros
- Many flight options
- Option for cheaper flights
- Plenty of car rental options
- Tour other cities like Sedona, Flagstaff, and Williams
Cons
- Car rentals are only available offsite
- Long travel if you have limited time
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park …
✔️ If you plan to see other scenic locations like Sedona, Williams, Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park
Canyonlands Regional Airport (Canyonlands Field Airport) (CNY)
Canyonlands Regional Airport is a small regional airport with flights on SkyWest Airlines operating as United Airlines to Denver, and as Delta Airlines to Salt Lake City. They also offer helicopter tours and scenic and charter services. You can choose to fly here if you’re also planning a trip to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and/ or the Adventure Capital of the USA, Moab.
Car rental companies available at Canyonlands Regional are Canyonlands Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which also serves Alamo and National. If you plan to go around nearby Moab, you can get taxi and shuttle services through Moab Taxi and Moab Express.
From this airport, it will only take you about two and a half hours to get to the park entrance. Head towards US-191 N from West Aviation Way. Go to US-191 S and drive to US-491 S toward Mesa Top Ruins Road in Montezuma County. You’ll reach the park entrance at the exit from US-160 E.
Location
This regional airport is situated at Highway 191, 16 miles north of Moab.
Distance to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance to Mesa Verde National Park: 142 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Mesa Verde National Park: 2 hours and 25 minutes
What airlines fly out of Canyonlands Regional Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ SkyWest Airlines (United Airlines): Denver
✈️ SkyWest Airlines (Delta Airlines): Salt Lake City
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Onsite: Canyonlands Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car also serves Alamo and National
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Canyonlands Regional Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Car rental service
Pros
- Short(ish) travel time to the park entrance
- Access to other attractions like Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Cons
- Limited airline and flight options
- Limited services for car rental
- No international flights are available here
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park …
✔️ If you have plans to see other national parks like Arches and Canyonlands National Park
✔️ If you don’t want to spend a lot of time driving
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
If you’re looking for the closest international airport to Mesa Verde National Park, flying to Salt Lake City International Airport is your answer.
This airport provides you with the convenience of flying to major US cities and outside the country. There are loads of options for both foreign and domestic flights, affordable airline rates, and it’s easy to get points for miles if you’re signed up for a frequent flyer program. You can also access other national parks like Black Canyon of the Gunnison, or if you do a loop in the opposite direction, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks and Monument Valley, when you fly to this airport.
Salt Lake City International has plenty of car rental services both onsite and offsite. From the airport, take I-15 S then US-6 E, US-191 S, and head to US-491 S to Mesa Top Ruins Road.
Location
Salt Lake City International Airport is located four miles west of downtown Salt Lake City.
Distance to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance from Salt Lake City to Mesa Verde National Park: 142 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Mesa Verde National Park: 2 hours and 25 minutes
What airlines fly out of Salt Lake City International Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Aeromexico: Mexico City
✈️ Air Canada: Montreal, Toronto
✈️ Alaska Airlines: Seattle/Tacoma, Portland (OR), San Diego
✈️ American Airlines: Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago-O`Hare
✈️ Delta Airlines: multiple cities around the US
✈️ Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt
✈️ Frontier Airlines: Denver
✈️ JetBlue Airways: Boston, New York- JFK
✈️ Spirit Airlines: Orlando
✈️ Southwest Airlines: Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago-Midway, Phoenix, San Jose (CA), Orange County, Dallas-Love Field
✈️ United Airlines: Denver, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston-Bush
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Onsite (Gateway Center): Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty
🚗 Offsite: ACE Rent-A-Car, Affordable, Fox Rent-A-Car, Go Rentals, NU Car Rentals, Rugged Rental
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Salt Lake City International Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Car rental services
Pros
- Plenty of domestic and selected international airline and flight options
- Availability of budget flights
- Car rental services both onsite and offsite
- Accessibility to other national parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Cons
- Nothing particular in this airport
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park …
✔️ If you are also visiting other national parks in the area
✔️ If you want more flight options and don’t want to change to a smaller plane to get you closer to Mesa Verde
✔️ If you want to spend less time traveling (than from some of the other airports on this list)
Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
Harry Reid International Airport is another international airport you can fly into. The drive to Mesa Merde is quite long, so it’s really only practical if you are planning a road trip. An added bonus is the possibility of a stay in Vegas at the start and/ or end of your trip.
Despite the long driving distance, it’s convenient in some ways because there are plenty of choices for flights and airline services to plenty of places in the US and several major cities outside the US.
There are several options for car rental services at the airport facility or offsite.
Location
The airport is located in Paradise, Nevada just outside Las Vegas.
Distance to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance from Las Vegas to Mesa Verde National Park: 526 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time to Mesa Verde National Park: 8 hours
What airlines fly out of Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas, NV Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Many domestic and international airlines fly to and from this airport.
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Onsite: Onsite (Rent-A-Car Center): Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, Payless, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, National
🚗 Other offsite car rentals are also available
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas, NV to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Renting a car
Pros
- Plenty of options for both domestic and international airlines
- Plenty of car rental services to choose from
- Budget flights are available here
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park …
✔️ If you’re also visiting Las Vegas and scenic areas and national park on the way to Mesa Verde.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver International Airport gives you a wide range of options whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, including choices for budget airlines and therefore easy ways to earn points for miles on your preferred airline.
The downside is that it takes more than seven hours to drive from Denver Airport to Mesa Verde National Park, so it’s only practical if you’re planning a road trip starting and/ or ending here.
If you’re staying in Denver before or after your Mesa Verde trip, there are several transportation services in addition to onsite car rentals, including charter buses and shuttles, taxis, and limo services.
Location
Denver International Airport is located near downtown Denver, Colorado.
Distance from Denver to Mesa Verde National Park
🔰 Distance from Denver, CO to Mesa Verde National Park: 403 miles
Travel time to Mesa Verde National Park
⌚ Travel Time from Denver – Mesa Verde National Park: 7 hours and 15 minutes
What airlines fly out of Denver International Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Multiple domestic and international airlines fly to and from this airport with connecting flights to major city airports.
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Onsite: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty Car Rental
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Denver International Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
🚘 Rental car
Pros
- Plenty of flight choices
- Domestic and international flights are available
- Budget flights are also offered here
- Plenty of car rental companies to choose from
- Stop by other places of interest along the way like Golden, Boulder, and Aspen
Cons
- Long drive to Mesa Verde National Park
This is the best airport for Mesa Verde National Park…
✔️ If you’re planning a road trip starting and/ or ending in Denver.
How to Decide The Best Airport Near Mesa Verde National Park
If you’re deciding on the best option for airports near Mesa Verde National Park, you need to check on a few things on your trip.
❓ Where else are you planning to go on your trip? Are you planning to see other attractions and national parks near Mesa Verde? Arches National Park is just three hours away, Monument Valley is 2.5 hours, and the Aztec Ruins National Monument is just an hour and a half away.
❓ When are you going? Will you be traveling in the warmer months of May to September? This is when the park is fully open and more flight options are available.
❓ Where are you staying? Choosing the airport close to your accommodation makes the most sense if you have limited time for travel.
❓ How much time do you have? Are you taking a short trip or planning to stay longer? It’s better to choose an accessible airport if you want to save on travel time.
❓ What’s your budget? Are you looking for budget flights? Are there car rentals that can give you the best deals? Flights and car rental rates vary depending on what airport you’ll fly into.
❓ Do you have a frequent flyer program with a specific airline? Choosing larger airports can give you more options for flights and airline services.
❓ Where are you flying from? Are you taking a domestic or international flight? Some airports offer more choices for connecting flights to several US cities and outside the country.
❓ What type of car do you want to rent when you arrive? Getting a car rental is the best way to get around the park. So it’s best to check available rental cars since it varies with several airports.
Map of Airports Near Mesa Verde National Park
Travel Insurance for Mesa Verde National Park
When you’re flying to Mesa Verde National Park, consider getting travel insurance too. Make sure it includes trip cancellation, in case you need to cancel your flight before your travel, so that you can get a refund.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Have a great trip to Mesa Verde! I hope this guide has helped you decide on your flights to Mesa Verde National Park
Other guides for Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ Mesa Verde National Park Guide
⭐ Planning A Trip to Mesa Verde National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ How to Visit Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ How to Visit Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings
⭐ The 10 Best Mesa Verde Hikes Not to Miss
⭐ The 10 Best Things to Do in & Around Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ Visiting Mesa Verde National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year
⭐ How to Get to Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ Best Time To Visit Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ 10 Tips For Visiting Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ The Closest Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ 10 Fun Facts About Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ The Best Airbnb Durango
Which airport did you choose? I’d love to know. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
Now you know all the options in getting to Mesa Verde National Park, Pin It to your Mesa Verde National Park board for easy reference!
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
Read more…
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