If this is your first time visiting Mesa Verde National Park, then you may be finding planning your trip there a little overwhelming. It’s not uncommon for first time visitors to Mesa Verde to feel that way.
Which is why I’ve created this Mesa Verde visitors guide.
I’m James Ian and I’m a national park expert. I’m happy to share these travel tips for Mesa Verde National Park with you.
No time right now to read these tips for visiting Mesa Verde National Park? Pin It and save it for later:
1. Book Cliff Dwelling Tours in Advance
One of the main attractions at Mesa Verde National Park is the opportunity to tour ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. However, tickets for these tours are limited and can sell out quickly, especially for popular sites like Cliff Palace and Long House.
To avoid disappointment, book your tours well in advance. Particularly if you’re visiting the national park during peak season (May through October), which is when the cliff dwellings are typically open.
Tickets can be purchased up to 14 days in advance online through recreation.gov. If you miss the advance booking window, a limited number of same-day tickets may be available at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, but it’s best not to rely on this option.
➡️ Read my comprehensive guide How to Visit Mesa Verde’s Cliff Dwellings for more information
2. Arrive Early to Avoid Crowds
Mesa Verde is a popular park, and it can get crowded, especially during summer. To avoid long lines at the entrance and secure parking at popular sites, plan to arrive early in the day, ideally before 9:00 AM.
Early mornings are also a great time to enjoy the park’s scenic drives and overlooks with fewer people around. You’ll have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mule deer, wild turkeys, and even the occasional black bear. Plus, starting your day early means you’ll have more time to visit the park’s many fascinating archaeological sites.
Don’t get there TOO early, though. The Mesa Top Loop Road and Cliff Palace Loop Road (Chapin Mesa) are only open 8:00 AM to sunset daily. There’s a barrier across the road at the top of the mesa, so you can time your arrival early enough to get to the barrier when it opens.
➡️ Read More: Best Things to Do in and near Mesa Verde
3. Allow Time for the Drive into the Park
Many of Mesa Verde’s main attractions, including the cliff dwellings and mesa top sites, are located a significant distance from the park entrance.
From the entrance station at the bottom of the mesa, it’s a 21-mile (34 km) drive to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.
It’s a 28-mile (45 km) drive to the Wetherill Mesa parking area. Note that the road to Wetherill Mesa is open early May to late October. Your vehicle must weigh less than 8,000 pounds and be less than 25 feet in length to go on this road.
When planning your day, allow at least an hour to an hour and a quarter for the drive from the park entrance to the main sites on Chapin Mesa and at least and an hour and a half to Wetherill Mesa.
The road is steep and winding in places, so take it slow and enjoy the scenic views along the way. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to factor in the drive time when returning to the park entrance at the end of the day.
4. Bring Water and Snacks
While there are some food options within Mesa Verde National Park, they’re limited and may not always be open. The Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum offers casual dining, and there’s a snack bar at the Far View Lodge, but hours vary seasonally.
To ensure you have enough sustenance for a full day of exploring, I recommend packing plenty of water and snacks. You’ll want at least a quart/ liter of water per person, especially if you’re planning on hiking or visiting sites in the middle of the day. Trail mix, energy bars, and fruit make good portable snacks. Just remember to pack out all your trash to help keep the park clean.
5. Wear Sturdy Shoes
Many of Mesa Verde’s trails and archaeological sites involve walking on steep, uneven terrain. The paths around cliff dwellings often include ladders, narrow stone steps, and rocky overhangs. To navigate these areas safely and comfortably, you’ll need sturdy shoes with good traction.
Closed-toe hiking shoes or boots with rugged soles are ideal. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, or smooth-soled shoes, as they don’t provide enough support or grip on the park’s terrain. Even if you don’t plan on doing any strenuous hiking, you’ll still want stable, comfortable footwear for walking around the mesa top sites and overlooks.
➡️ If you need to buy some hiking boots or shoes, check out my buying guide to help you choose.
➡️ Read More: The best hikes in Mesa Verde National Park
6. Check Road Conditions Before You Go
Mesa Verde is open year-round, but some roads and facilities may close due to snow or ice in winter. The main park road, which leads to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and other popular sites, is plowed regularly, but smaller spur roads may be closed after heavy snowfall.
Before setting out, check the park’s website or social media for current road conditions and closures. If you’re visiting in winter, be prepared for cold temperatures and slippery trails.
➡️ You may want to bring traction devices for your shoes if you plan to do any hiking. Check my buying guide to the Best Microspikes for Winter Hiking if you need to get some. The ones I have (and love) are these Kahtoola Microspikes.
7. Fill Up Your Gas Tank Before Entering the Park
There are no gas stations within Mesa Verde National Park. The closest places to fill up are in the nearby towns of Mancos and Cortez, both about 10 miles (16 km) from the park entrance.
Before starting your drive into the park, make sure you have a full tank of gas. You’ll be doing quite a bit of driving within the park to reach the various sites and overlooks, and you don’t want to risk running out of fuel.
Two other things to be aware of in Mesa Verde:
Trailers and towed vehicles are not permitted beyond Morefield Campground. If you’re not camping, there’s a large parking lot located near the entrance station where you can unhitch and leave your trailer.
There’s a tunnel between mileposts 4 and 5 that has a height restriction of 20.5 feet (6.25 m).
8. Pack Layers for Varying Temperatures
Mesa Verde is located at a high elevation, with the park entrance at around 7,000 feet (2,130 meters) and some sites reaching over 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). This means temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day and between different areas of the park.
Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be cool, especially at the higher elevations. Temperatures on the mesa top can be 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in the canyons. To stay comfortable, pack layers that you can easily put on or take off as conditions change. A lightweight fleece or jacket is a must, even in the warmer months.
9. Reserve Accommodations Early
If you plan to stay overnight in Mesa Verde National Park, be sure to reserve your accommodations well in advance. The park has two main options: Far View Lodge and Morefield Campground. Both are managed by park concessioner Aramark.
Far View Lodge, located at the top of the mesa, is open from late April through late October and offers 150 rooms with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance and are strongly recommended, especially for summer stays.
Morefield Campground, located at the bottom of the mesa, is open from early May through mid-October and has over 250 sites for tents and RVs. Sites can be reserved up to six months in advance.
10. Attend a Ranger-Led Program
To get the most out of your visit to Mesa Verde, consider attending one of the park’s ranger-led programs. These programs offer a deeper dive into the park’s archaeology, history, and ecology, with insights you might not get from exploring on your own.
Options include guided hikes, evening campfire talks, and special tours of cliff dwellings and mesa top sites.
Some programs, like the cliff dwelling tours, require tickets, which can be reserved in advance.
Others, like the ‘campfire talks’, are free and open to all visitors. Free 45-60-minute presentations by rangers are offered throughout the summer season at the Morefield Amphitheater (weather permitting).
Enjoy your trip to Mesa Verde!
More Planning Resources 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
⭐ The Airports Near Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ The Closest Airport to Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ 10 Fun Facts About Mesa Verde National Park
⭐ The Best Airbnb Durango
Do you have any other Mesa Verde tips? 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).
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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.
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