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Planning A Trip to Mesa Verde National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
There is plenty of information around about planning a Mesa Verde visit. For all sorts of information about the park, check out my Mesa Verde National Park Guides.
The thing is that most of it focuses on what you should do when you visit Mesa Verde National Park.
This guide is different. I will share with you what you should AVOIDdoing when planning your Mesa Verde National Park itinerary. This isn’t meant to scare you; it’s meant to help you be fully prepared when you visit Mesa Verde National Park. I think it’s helpful to be aware of mistakes to avoid in the planning stage.
I’m a national park expert and have extensive knowledge of Mesa Verde National Park. I’ve seen many people make mistakes (and I’ll admit I made a few myself!) that have impacted their trip. So now I’m happy to share what I’ve learned from their (and my) experiences so that you can avoid these common pitfalls.
Let’s take a look at the biggest mistakes to avoid when you plan your visit to Mesa Verde National Park.
#1 Not booking cliff dwelling tours well in advance
Picture this: you’ve arrived at Mesa Verde National Park, eager to explore the ancient cliff dwellings that have stood the test of time. You can almost feel the history in the air.
But here’s the catch – these architectural wonders aren’t a ‘just show up’ kind of attraction. Many of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings, including the iconic Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, can only be visited by joining a ranger-led tour.
Here’s where planning plays a pivotal role. These tours are incredibly popular, and the number of visitors allowed on each tour is limited to protect the delicate structures and preserve the sense of discovery.
This means that spaces fill up faster than you can say ‘Ancestral Puebloan architecture.’ Tour tickets go on sale two weeks in advance, and they sell out very quickly. So, book as soon as the tickets are released.
It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of Chapin Mesa, the main hub of Mesa Verde National Park, but this is a mistake. True, this is where you’ll find the famous Cliff Palace and Balcony House. But if you limit yourself to this area alone, you’re only skimming the surface of what the park has to offer.
Venture beyond and discover the less-trodden paths of Wetherill Mesa. It’s a quieter part of the park that promises equally fascinating sites with a fraction of the crowds.
Here, you can explore the Long House, the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park, and take a stroll on the Step House Trail, where you can see a dwelling that showcases both the Modified Basketmaker and Pueblo architectural styles in one structure.
And let’s not forget the treasures that lie below the mesa. This is where you’ll find the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center. It’s also where the amphitheater is located. They offer frequent ranger-led and cultural programs in the main summer season.
By expanding your horizons beyond Chapin Mesa, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the park’s rich history and cultural significance.
#3 Skipping the ‘back country’ dwellings
While the main attractions get most of attention, there are actually over 600 cliff dwellings in mesa Verde National Park. The ‘back country’ cliff dwellings are hidden gems that many visitors overlook, but they offer an intimate glimpse into the past that you simply can’t get anywhere else.
A few of these remote dwellings are sometimes open to the public in certain years, offering a rare chance to see parts of the park that are usually off-limits.
Access to these special sites is through small group ranger-led tours. Some of these hikes are short and sweet, while others are more strenuous, but all lead to incredible cliff dwellings tucked away from the crowds.
Tickets for these exclusive tours are extremely limited. But if you can get a spot, it’s a unique opportunity to connect with the park’s ancient history on a more personal level.
Most people only visit the cliff dwellings – either from viewpoints or on ranger-led tours. But Mesa Verde isn’t just a showcase of ancient architecture; it’s a natural wonderland crisscrossed with trails that offer stunning views and the chance to experience the Colorado landscape up close.
From the easy, self-guided Mesa Top Loop Road, where you can explore the mesa top sites at your own pace, to the more challenging Petroglyph Point Trail, which not only leads you to the only petroglyphs in the park but also offers breathtaking canyon views, there’s a hike for every level of adventurer.
The Spruce Canyon Trail is another favorite, a loop that takes you down into a lush canyon and back up again, immersing you in the quiet beauty of the park’s backcountry.
Not only do these hikes provide fantastic photo ops and some exercise, but they also give you the chance to see wildlife, discover a variety of plants and flowers, and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with being in nature.
Remember, Mesa Verde is more than its ruins; it’s a landscape alive with history and natural splendor, and hiking is one of the best ways to experience it all.
Of course the cliff dwellings are the stars of Mesa Verde National Park, but if that’s all you see, you’re only getting a slice of the story. The Ancestral Puebloans spent the majority of their time living on the mesa tops, farming the land and engaging in daily life. To truly appreciate their culture and history, you need to explore these mesa top sites as well.
The mesa tops are scattered with numerous archaeological treasures, including pit houses, farming terraces, and remnants of entire villages. These sites, such as the Far View Complex and Cedar Tree Tower, offer insights into the daily lives of the Ancestral Puebloans. You can walk among the same walls where they celebrated, worked, and played.
Don’t forget to stop by the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, where you can deepen your understanding of the people who once thrived in this landscape. The museum showcases artifacts, dioramas, and exhibits that tell the story of the ancient inhabitants of Mesa Verde. It’s the perfect complement to your mesa top explorations, providing context that brings the ruins to life.
By visiting both the cliff dwellings and the mesa top sites, you’ll gain a more holistic view of the Ancestral Puebloan culture. It’s an opportunity to connect with the history of Mesa Verde on a deeper level, seeing the park not just as a collection of ruins, but as a once vibrant and bustling community.
#6 Underestimating drive times from the bottom of the mesa
Mesa Verde National Park is, as the name suggests, set on a mesa (well, two mesas actually). The park entrance and the Visitor Center lie at the bottom of both mesas. You drive up to the top of Chapin Mesa, where most sites are, then down and back up to reach Wetherill Mesa, where Long House is located.
Visitors often underestimate how long it takes to drive from the park entrance at the bottom of the mesa to key destinations within the park. This miscalculation can lead to rushed visits, missed tours, and overall frustration.
If you’re planning to visit Long House on Wetherill Mesa, you’ll need to allocate even more time, as the drive from the park entrance to this site takes about 1.5 hours.
Additionally, if you’re considering visiting multiple dwellings in a single day, it’s crucial to plan for the drive times between them. For example, traveling from Cliff Palace to Long House takes around 1.25 hours. These substantial travel times are often surprising to first-time visitors and can significantly impact the day’s itinerary.
To avoid this common mistake, carefully review the park’s map and estimated drive times when planning your visit. Start your day early to make the most of your time, and always allow for some buffer in your schedule to accommodate any unexpected delays or to simply enjoy the views without feeling rushed.
#7 Overlooking the Visitor Center and skipping the ranger programs
Native Americans performing a traditional dance in Mesa Verde National Park
One of the most valuable resources available to visitors of Mesa Verde National Park is the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, located near the park entrance. This center is not just a place to stop and stretch your legs; it’s the gateway to tons of information that can greatly enhance your visit. Inside, you’ll find exhibits, models, and interactive displays that provide context about the Ancestral Puebloans and the park’s archaeological significance.
Skipping the ranger programs is another oversight that can diminish the depth of your experience. These programs are led by knowledgeable park rangers who offer fascinating insights and stories about the park’s history, geology, and cultural significance. Ranger-led tours can take you to parts of the park that are otherwise inaccessible, such as guided hikes to cliff dwellings that require tickets.
Ranger talks and walks also provide details that you might not find in guidebooks or signs, enriching your understanding of what you’re seeing. These programs often reveal the nuanced history of the park and its ancient inhabitants, making your visit more meaningful.
In short, by not taking advantage of the Visitor Center and ranger-led programs, you’re likely to miss out on a deeper appreciation of Mesa Verde National Park. Ensure your trip is as rewarding as possible by incorporating these educational opportunities into your itinerary.
Travel Insurance
You should, of course, always have travel insurance, but especially when doing things like hiking, climbing ladders (as you need to do to visit the cliff dwellings), and driving narrow winding roads. You just never know.
Travel insurance also covers things like lost or stolen property, trip cancellation, and emergency repatriation. If you want to learn more about all this, check out my Guide to Buying Travel Insurance (on my other blog) before getting your insurance.
➡️ A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
Enjoy visiting Mesa Verde National Park!
Additional Planning Resources for Mesa Verde National Park
Do you have any other tips for visiting Mesa Verde National Park? I’d love to hear about them. 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).
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.
