Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Top Spots in and near Mesa Verde National Park
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Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Explore the Far View Sites Complex
4.50.75 miThe Far View Community is located four miles north of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. In around 800 AD, the Ancestral Pueblo people lived in this area for several centuries. They mostly farmed the mesa tops, but were also hunters. It was one of the most densely populated regions of Mesa Ver...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Hike the Spruce Canyon Trail
5.03.1 mi / 754 ft gainThe Spruce Canyon trail is very well taken care of. The trail begin with a descent into Spruce Tree Canyon and then follows a stream for 3/4 of a mile before climbing a side canyon back up to the ridge. The trailhead is located on the Chapin Mesa within Mesa Verde National Park. The trail is open...Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Explore Park Point in Mesa Verde National Park
5.0The Park Point Trail is the highest point in Mesa Verde National Park, and being close to the four corners, you can see for hundreds of miles in every direction on a clear day. It's a very short walk from the car, and there are several nice lookouts along the way, but be sure to walk all the way ...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Hike the Petroglyph Point Trail
4.02.7 mi / 698 ft gainPick up a trail brochure for information on the interpretive signs. There are some steep and narrow portions of the trail, so make sure everyone in your party is of able physical capability.Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Hike the Cliff Palace Loop Trail
5.00.4 mi / 127 ft gainTickets for this tour are $4 per person and are available at the visitor center near the entrance of the park. This tour is best taken from April to November. This hike features The milky way is often visible from the top of Mesa Verde at night. This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbin...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Explore Mesa Top Loop
4.5The 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, open 8 am to sunset, stops at 12 sites including surface ruins and cliff dwelling overlooks. The most famous feature of the park, Cliff Palace, is visible from the Sun Point and Sun Temple overlooks. Sunrise photography isn't possible on the loop due to operating ho...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Explore Balcony House
5.00.5 miStarting at the trail head at 7,000 feet, you will head down the trail until you get to the cliff dwellings. There will be a wooden ladder you will have to climb, a recreation of the ladder used hundreds of years ago by the tribes living there. Once you get to the top of the ladder, the trail wil...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Hike Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail
2 miThis two mile round-trip trail leaves from the information kiosk near Long House and Step House, and leads through and area severely burned by the 2000 Pony Fire. There's no shade on this trail, so if you are doing it during the hotter months, be sure to bring a lot of water and sun protection. ...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Hike to Long House and Step House at Mesa Verde National Park
5.03 mi / 130 ft gainThis is a great opportunity to see two historic cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park within a relatively short period of time. Schedule your day around getting tickets to Long House, then taking a bit of a side trek to the Step House when you have the time. The tour begins at the Weatherhi...Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Camp at Morefield Campground
Morefield Campground is located 4 miles inside of Mesa Verde National Park. There are 267 sites in the campground, and it has tent-only loops. There are also 15 full-hookup RV sites, with many more able to fit RVs. Reservations are recommended, but are not required; the full-hookup sites are the ...Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Hike the Knife Edge Trail
2 mi / 20 ft gainThe Knife Edge Trail leaves from a small parking lot located in Morefield Campground in Mesa Verde National Park. It's definitely an easy trail, but it is perfect for the entire family. It offers an unhindered view westward, so it is a prime place to catch the sunset in the park, especially if yo...Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Hike Point Lookout Trail
5.02.3 mi / 400 ft gainThis trail is located within Morefield Campground in Mesa Verde National Park. The parking lot also serves as the parking lot for the amphitheater, so it's pretty huge - unless there's a program going on you shouldn't have to worry about finding a spot. The trail starts out nice and level, facin...Read more -
Cortez, Colorado
Explore Sand Canyon Pueblo
0.8 miThe Sand Canyon Pueblo marks the northern point of the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, and connects south to the start of the Canyon of the Ancients Trail off Road G. The hike from the parking lot nearest to the pueblo is only 0.8 miles, and is reached on Road N, west of Cortez, Colorad...Read more -
Cortez, Colorado
Hike Sand Canyon in Canyons of the Ancients
5.013 mi / 1390 ft gainThe Sand Canyon trail in Canyons of the Ancients has two trailheads. The lower trailhead (off of County Road G) begins at 5,472-ft., while the upper trailhead (off of Country Road N) begins at 6,862-ft. If you are doing the 13 mile out-and-back hike as I did, begin at the lower trailhead and work...Read more -
Hesperus, Colorado
Summit Centennial Peak in the La Plata Mountains via Sharkstooth Trailhead
6 mi / 2162 ft gainFrom the western end of the town of Mancos, follow CR 42 north until it enters the national forest and becomes FR 561. Go right on FR 350 and keep right at any junctions (there are two of them) until you reach the signed Sharkstooth Trailhead about 19 miles from Mancos. Enjoy your drive through ...Read more -
Durango, Colorado
Hike the Colorado Trail to Gudy's Rest
4.08.1 mi / 1400 ft gainThis hike, a local favorite is less than five miles from downtown Durango. The entire hike offers beautiful views especially once your reach the top of Gudy's Rest. The trail starts off with a gradual uphill along Junction Creek. On this section of the trail, you will likely run into locals proba...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Far View Lodge
Peaceful and quiet lodge directly inside the park with incredible views. The Far View Lodge was designed to reflect the true essence of t...
From $129 / night
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Morefield Campground
Mesa Verde’s natural beauty is truly something to be experienced in nature. Morefield RV & Campground has all the amenities you need ...
From $33 / night
Dolores, Colorado
Mcphee Recreation Complex
Overview
McPhee Recreation Complex is located on the south shore of McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado. V...
Dolores, Colorado
House Creek
Overview
House Creek Campground is located on the shores of McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado. Visitors ...
Mancos, Colorado
Transfer Group Campground
Overview
Transfer Campground, located approximately 11 miles north of Mancos, Colorado in the San Juan National Forest, is known for its ...
Dolores, Colorado
Target Tree Campground
Overview
Target Tree Campground is located 7 miles east of Mancos on the north side of Highway 160 at an elevation of 7,643 feet. It is t...