If you’ve decided to pay this Colorado national park a visit, then you’ll be wondering how to see Mesa Verde, including how to get there. This guide is here to help you decide how to get to Mesa Verde National Park, so you can make your dreams of visiting a reality.
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How to Get to Mesa Verde National Park
Where is Mesa Verde National Park Located?
The Mesa Verde National Park location is in Montezuma County in the southwest of Colorado. The park occupies a portion of a 8,500 foot high sandstone plateau, and an 80 square mile high tableland area.
The location of Mesa Verde National Park was established to preserve the important cultural and historic heritage at the site. Both prehistoric cliff dwellings and Indian village ruins can be found here.
Something to keep in mind before getting directions to Mesa Verde Colorado is that the route into the park is a mountain road. It’s therefore a steep, winding route with narrow sections, and it’s not uncommon for fallen rocks or wildlife to be in the road. Unlike some other parks, there is only one entrance into Mesa Verde.
In relation to nearby cities and towns, the Mesa Verde location is close to the fairly small towns of Cortez, Durango and Mancos. Other, larger towns and cities are further afield.
So now you know the answer to the question of where is the Mesa Verde located, let’s take a look at the main airports near Mesa Verde National Park you can use to get there.
Taking a Tour to Mesa Verde National Park
Instead of worrying about how far is Mesa Verde from Durango and other concerns regarding getting there – such as car rental and gas – you could take an easier option. An organized tour takes all the stress out of your visit, so you can sit back and relax while someone else takes care of the driving.
Here are a few of the best options.
Half-Day Tour of Mesa Verde National Park
If you simply want to see the park highlights in half a day, this five-and-a-half hour tour from Durango is a great option. You’ll explore this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site with an expert guide, so you can fully appreciate the history of the park and its people, flora and fauna. Bottled water and snacks are supplied, as well as transport and your guide.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS HALF-DAY TOUR OF MESA VERDE
Mesa Verde National Park Tour with Archaeology guide
An archaeological guide will give you intriguing insights into the Ancestral Pueblo people during this seven-and-a-half hour tour of Mesa Verde from Durango. Along the way you’ll see some of the most important cliff dwellings, and learn about a history spanning over eight centuries. You’ll also see the ancient Petroglyphs, plus some stunning natural landscapes.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS ARCHAEOLOGY TOUR OF MESA VERDE
Full Day Tour of Mesa Verde National Park
This one day tour to Mesa Verde lasts for eight hours and also includes transport from Durango. You’ll see all the key archaeological sites and learn about the ancient Native American community that made this place their home. Lunch is included, as are the services of a guide, transportation, bottled water, the National Park entry fee and skip-the-line entry.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS FULL DAY TOUR OF MESA VERDE
Small Group Express Tour of Mesa Verde National Park
This tour takes place as part of a group of 15 or under. It’s been specially designed to include as many park highlights as possible during a four-hour window. Depending on what the group wants to see, you may visit the likes of Chapin Mesa and the Cliff Palace. Air-conditioned transport, transfers from Durango, bottled water, snacks and all taxes and fees are included.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS SMALL GROUP EXPRESS TOUR OF MESA VERDE
Self Guided Tour of Mesa Verde National Park
If you do have your own transport but would like a little guidance while seeing the park independently, a self guided tour can be the ideal compromise. The app uses your smartphone and GPS to lead the way, sharing facts, stories and tips as you discover Mesa Verde’s secrets. Your download never expires, and no WiFi signal is required to use it.
CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS SELF GUIDED TOUR OF MESA VERDE
Flying to Mesa Verde National Park
The closest airport to Mesa Verde National Park is Cortez Municipal Airport. For an international gateway, Salt Lake City is the nearest.
The nearest airport to Mesa Verde National Park is just 15 miles from the entrance to the park, and offers daily flights to Denver and Phoenix. There is an Enterprise car rental desk, and the drive to the park takes only around 20 minutes.
Salt Lake City International Airport
At about 140 miles – or a little under two-and-a-half hours – from Mesa Verde, Salt Lake City is the closest international gateway to the park. You can fly here from abroad or lots of domestic destinations. There are plenty of budget flights and car rental options, and you can access other Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks easily from here.
Durango – La Plata County Airport
By using Durango La Plata County Airport you can access flights to Dallas-Fort Worth as well as Phoenix and Denver. More car rental options are also available at this airport. The park is around 50 miles – or an hour’s drive – from here.
Canyonlands Field Airport offers flights to Denver and Salt Lake City. It’s also only around two hours and 25 minutes’ drive to Mesa Verde, and is close to Moab, the US adventure capital. Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are also served by this airport. You can rent a car from a couple of companies to drive the 140 miles to Mesa Verde.
Grand Junction Regional Airport
This is the biggest airport in western Colorado. You can fly here from Las Vegas, Dallas, and sometimes Los Angeles, in addition to Phoenix and Denver. It takes about three hours and 50 minutes to drive the 235 miles or so to Mesa Verde from here, and there are several car rental options.
Albuquerque International Sunport
With its distinctive look and exotic decor, Albuquerque International Sunport is another option for Mesa Verde visitors. There’s a 24-hour, offsite car rental center served by a shuttle bus, and you can fly to more than 20 US cities from here. The park is around four hours by car, or 250 miles, from the Albuquerque airport.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Though it’s further from Mesa Verde, Phoenix Sky Harbor offers flights to international destinations. More than 100 US cities are also served. There’s an offside car rental center, and it takes about six-and-a half-hours to get to Mesa Verde from here. Which is a long way – but you could combine your visit with seeing the Grand Canyon or other Arizona sights to justify the 420 mile journey each way.
If you’re taking a road trip, be sure to check my Road Trip Packing List before you go to make sure you have everything you need.
For more information about flying to Mesa Verde, read my guide to the best airports for Mesa Verde National Park.
Check prices on flights to an airport near Mesa Verde National Park.
Taking the Train to Mesa Verde National Park
If you want to take a train to the Mesa Verde area from elsewhere in the US, you can approach from the south on the Southwest Chief route, which goes between Chicago and Los Angeles, or from the north on the California Zephyr route, which goes between Chicago and Emeryville CA via Denver and Salt Lake City.
Amtrak stations on the Southwest Chief route that you can use include Gallup, NM (a 2.5-hour drive to Mesa Verde); Albuquerque NM (4 hours); Flagstaff AZ (4.5 hours’ drive); and Santa Fe NM (4.5 hours). There are car rental agencies in all these towns.
The nearest Amtrak stations on the California Zephyr route are Grand Junction CO (a 4-hour drive to Mesa Verde) and Green River UT (3 hours). Although Green River is closer, the nearest car rental agency to the Amtrak Station is Alamos Car Rental 35 minutes away, so it isn’t the most convenient option. Grand Junction has plenty of car rental options.
If you like trains, there is a scenic train ride from Durango to Silverton on a historic narrow gauge railway. It’s fun to do, although it doesn’t get you to Mesa Verde National Park. Get tickets for the scenic Durango – Silverton Railway here.
Taking a Bus to Mesa Verde National Park
If you want to get to the park by bus rather doing the Mesa Verde drive yourself, there are Greyhound stations in Cortez (a 15-minute drive to the national park), Mancos (a 10-minute drive to the national park); and Durango (40 minutes from the park).
To get from these towns into and around Mesa Verde, you’ll need to rent a car and drive or take a tour. There are car rental agencies in Cortez and Durango but but not Mancos. Tours are available from Durango.
There are no shuttle buses into or around Mesa Verde National Park.
How to Drive to Mesa Verde National Park
If you want the convenience and independence of having a car at your disposal while exploring this southwestern corner of Colorado, then you’ll need Mesa Verde National Park directions from the city you’re arriving or live in.
Whether you want to know the distance from Durango Colorado to Mesa Verde, how long the drive from Denver to Mesa Verde National Park should take or how far is Mesa Verde from Cortez, read on to discover the answers.
Driving Directions to Mesa Verde National Park
Durango, Colorado to Mesa Verde National Park
So how far is Mesa Verde National Park from Durango? It takes around 40 minutes to drive between the two, and the distance is around 35 miles. The route you’ll take from Durango CO to Mesa Verde National Park is via US-160 W.
Denver to Mesa Verde National Park
How far is it from Denver to Mesa Verde? It’s a fairly long way distance of 370 miles between the two, and the Denver to Mesa Verde National Park drive should take about six hours and 50 minutes via US Highway 285 S and US-160 W.
Santa Fe to Mesa Verde National Park
The distance from Santa Fe to Mesa Verde National Park is about 245 miles, traveling via US-84 W and US-160 W. This trip takes about four-and-a-half hours.
Cortez, Colorado to Mesa Verde National Park
The distance from Cortez to Mesa Verde National Park is around ten miles. It takes just under 15 minutes to drive between from Cortez CO to Mesa Verde National Park via US-160 E.
Phoenix to Mesa Verde National Park
The distance from Phoenix to Mesa Verde National Park is around 420 miles, or six hours and 30 minutes by car. You can travel via I-17 N and US-160 E.
Albuquerque to Mesa Verde National Park
The quickest route from Albuquerque is via US-550 N and the distance from Albuquerque to Mesa Verde National Park is about 245 miles. It’s just over four hours’ drive between the two.
Colorado Springs to Mesa Verde National Park
The distance from Colorado Springs to Mesa Verde National Park is about 350 miles. For the fastest journey time, travel via I-25 S and US-160 W. This trip takes around six-and-a-quarter hours.
Moab to Mesa Verde National Park
From Moab – the adventure capital of the US – and Mesa Verde you can travel via US-191 S and US-491 S. The distance from Moab to Mesa Verde National Park is about 125 miles, and this takes about two hours and 10 minutes to cover in a car.
Boulder to Mesa Verde National Park
You can travel from Boulder in Colorado to Mesa Verde in around seven hours. The distance is about 380 miles, and you can travel via US Highway 285 S and US-160 W.
Sedona to Mesa Verde National Park
To drive to Mesa Verde from Sedona, allow around five hours and 15 minutes. The distance is about 305 miles, and you can travel via US-160 E.
Las Vegas to Mesa Verde National Park
It’s a long way from Las Vegas to Mesa Verde – almost 500 miles. You can thus expect a journey time of about eight hours, via I-15 N and US-160 E.
Rent a car at a nearby airport, train station or bus station here
Check out my guide to saving money on rental cars before you book.
How to Get to Mesa Verde National Park Without a Car
If you don’t want to drive to Mesa Verde National Park, your best choice is to take a Greyhound bus to Durango and then take a tour into Mesa Verde National Park from Durango.
See Tours section above for options.
FAQs about Getting to Mesa Verde National Park
What town is closest to Mesa Verde National Park?
The towns near Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado are Cortez, Durango and Mancos. Cortez is about 15 minutes from the park entrance. As Mancos is only a 10-minute drive, it’s the closest town to Mesa Verde National Park. Durango is about 40 minutes from the park.
If you want to find a major city near Mesa Verde National Park to fly into, Salt Lake international is your best bet for an airport.
How do I get from Denver to Mesa Verde National Park?
As both locations are in Colorado, many people ask how far is Mesa Verde from Denver? If you want to reach Mesa Verde National Park from Denver, the distance from Denver to Mesa Verde National Park is about 370 miles. You can travel from Denver CO to Mesa Verde National Park via US Highway 285 S and US-160 W, and the trip takes around six hours and 50 minutes.
How far is Mesa Verde to Arches National Park?
The distance from Mesa Verde to Arches National Park is about 130 miles. It takes about two hours and 20 minutes to travel via US-491 N and US-191 N. This therefore makes a trip including both parks a viable proposition, particularly if you have access to a car.
Where do you fly into for Mesa Verde?
The nearest airport to Mesa Verde is Cortez airport in Colorado. This local gateway offers daily flights to Denver and Phoenix.
What is the closest international airport to Mesa Verde?
For destinations way beyond the few served by Cortez airport, Salt Lake City is the closest international airport. This is just under two-and-a-half hours’ drive – or 140 miles – from the Mesa Verde National Park.
How far is it from Mesa Verde to Durango?
It’s about 35 miles from Mesa Verde National Park to Durango and takes about 40 minutes to drive. Keep in mind that the entrance to Mesa Verde is at the bottom of the mesa and you should allow and additional hour to get to the top of the mesa where the cliff dwellings are located.
How far is it from Mesa Verde National Park to Denver?
The distance from Denver CO to Mesa Verde National Park is 370 miles and takes about six hours and 50 minutes to drive.
How far is it from Cortez to Mesa Verde?
The distance from Cortez CO to Mesa Verde National Park is ten miles and takes about 15 minutes to get to the park’s entrance at the bottom of the mesa.
Travel Insurance for Mesa Verde
You should definitely have travel insurance when you visit Mesa Verde National Park. Good travel insurance will cover you for trip cancellation, theft or damage of your property when traveling, medical help if you have an accident in or while visiting Mesa Verde National Park, or medical repatriation if you need to get medi-vaced out.
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:
You might also like to read:
- Mesa Verde National Park Guide
- How to Visit Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings
- The 10 Best Mesa Verde Hikes Not to Miss
- The 10 Best Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
- How to Visit Mesa Verde National Park
- The Closest Airports to Mesa Verde National Park
- Best Time To Visit Mesa Verde National Park
- 10 Fun Facts About Mesa Verde National Park
Enjoy Mesa Verde National Park!
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How to Get to Mesa Verde National Park
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About the Author
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 most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides 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, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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