Mesa Verde is most famous for the ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Although there are other cliff dwellings in the southwest, there are few as well preserved and as concentrated as those in Mesa Verde.
Centered on two connect mesas (plateaus), you can see several dwellings across narrow ravines and climb down ladders and steep steps to walk through several of them.
This is a fascinating glimpse into the native American history of the United States. There are also several hikes you can so and a fascinating museum to visit.
Mesa Verde National Park Travel Guide
Mesa Verde National Park at a glance
- State: Colorado
- Main attractions: Ancient cliff dwellings
- Best time to go: Early June and September
- Hotels/ Airbnbs: Far View Lodge; other accommodations in Cortez, Mancos and Durango
- Campgrounds: Morefield Campground inside the park
- Dining: Several options inside the park
- Shuttle: No
Mesa Verde National Park Guide
Navigate this Mesa Verde National Park guide by clicking on the articles below to read in-depth information about each aspect of Mesa Verde National Park.
Best Tours In and Around Mesa Verde National Park
To save this guide to Mesa Verde National Park for later, Pin It to your National Parks board:
About the Author
James Ian has traveled to 82 countries and all 7 continents. He has visited all of the main national parks in the United States, as well as many national monuments and state parks.
He has rafted through the Grand Canyon; rappelled down slot canyons near Zion and Arches; hiked among the hoodoos in Bryce and the enormous trees in Sequoia; admired the waterfalls in Yosemite and the colored hot springs in Yellowstone; seen moose in Grand Tetons and seals in the Channel Islands, and much more.
