Mesa Verde, Colorado is our second (or first, depending on how you count) destination. This national park is not the largest by any means, only seeing about 500,000 visitors a year. However, it is easily overlooked, so we are covering it.
Information as of 7-27-24
Mesa Verde is home to canyons, hiking trails, ancient ruins, and its namesake green mesas, though those mesas are not the main attraction. The main attractions are the ruins, specifically the cliff dwellings.
The ruins here are believed to be from up to 1,500 years ago and there are around 600 cliff dwellings alone. The most famous of these is the “Cliff Palace” which is the largest known cliff dwelling in North America. Also famous are the “Balcony House” and “Square Tower House.” For more info. Tours are only available Mid-May through Mid-October.
Quick summary of Cliff Palace tours:
- Booking available from 14 days before tour date
- Tends to book up within a day or two.
- 45 minute tour
- 15 minute mandatory safety briefing before scheduled time
- 75 minute drive from park entrance
- $8/adult (3 and up)
- $1/infant (2 and under)
Mesa Verde is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lodging:
The closest lodging is the Far View Lodge, which is in the park itself. It is open from Mid-April to Mid-October. The pricing is reasonable, but reviews are mediocre. A few complaints were quite serious, but they were not recurring. Most people felt like it was a rustic experience. The best points of the Lodge were the view and most people liked the restaurant. The worst point was the upkeep.
More lodging is available in the nearest towns, Cortez and Mancos, but these are about 9 or 11 miles from the entrance to the park. If you choose these towns, Retro Inn in Cortez and Mancos Inn in Mancos seem to be best reviewed at the time of writing.
For those who are willing to camp, the Morefield Campground is generally considered decent if a bit worn down. It has good reviews.
When and how to see it:
This is only a good destination during the primary season, Mid-May through Mid-October. Book your tour through the park exactly 14 days before your desired date for $8 and just do the cliff palace (see above for link) for a 45 minute tour, or conveniently dump that responsibility on a tour guide company through Expedia and book any time before that here for a full day (6 hour) tour of the park at a little over $200. Obviously, one is much cheaper, but if you want to avoid the rush to get tickets and get a more inclusive tour, there is no comparison.