8 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to Mesa Verde

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Hey there! Are you ready to plan a fascinating trip to Mesa Verde National Park?!?! Dive into the history of an ancient culture and find appreciation for those that have come before us. You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE.

Mesa Verde is a place you will never forget — and likely somewhere you will talk about for years to come. It is a sacred and spiritual place for many people. Hopefully during your visit you will feel a connection to the land that you have never have felt before. This amazing place can leave you speechless!

There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.

I’m a former park ranger and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Mesa Verde and am here to help! Whether this is your first time to Mesa Verde, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 8 things is for you.

What You Need to Know

Mesa Verde is open year-round, but some of the most popular spots are only open from approximately May – October. Cliff dwellings that require a ranger-led tour are seasonal and don’t run during the off-season. For more information on the park’s operating hours and seasons, click here.

This park only has one entrance! The entrance is near the town of Cortez, but from the entrance gate it takes at least 1 hour to get to the cliff dwellings. For the best experience, get an early start to your day.

Stopping in at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is one of the best ways to appreciate this national park. Mesa Verde will make more of an impression on you and your group if you take some time to educate yourself about what you are seeing!

Planning ahead is CRUCIAL in this park if you want to see the biggest and most impressive cliff dwellings. Tour tickets are required for several of the can’t-miss places, such as Cliff Palace, Long House, and Balcony House. They can be purchased 2 days in advance {in-person only!}. Here’s where you can find more information about how to buy tour tickets.

Lodging options within the park are limited to the Morefield Campground or the Far View Lodge.

I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make this park so famous, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off the beaten path as well. Let the adventure begin!