Mesa Verde National Park
Explore remarkably preserved cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago.
Quick Info
Highlights
- Cliff Palace ranger-guided tour
- Balcony House ladder and tunnel tour
- Mesa Top Loop Road archaeological sites
- Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum
- Park Point panoramic overlook of four states
Park Map
Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest
About Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park protects nearly 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, making it the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. The Ancestral Puebloans lived and thrived here for over 700 years, building increasingly complex communities in the alcoves of sandstone cliffs. Cliff Palace, with 150 rooms and 23 kivas, is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. The park offers a profound connection to the ingenuity and culture of the people who once called this green mesa home.
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Where to Stay
View all hotelsFar View Lodge
$$The only lodge inside Mesa Verde National Park with 150 rooms featuring southwestern decor, handcrafted furnishings, and no TVs for a peaceful experience. Open April through October with three on-site restaurants.
Hampton Inn Mesa Verde/Cortez
$$Highly rated hotel in Cortez just 10 minutes from the park entrance with free breakfast, indoor pool, gym, and rooms with mini-refrigerators and microwaves.
Holiday Inn Express Mesa Verde-Cortez
$$Modern hotel just off Highway 160 with free breakfast, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and family-friendly rooms, 9 miles from the Mesa Verde Visitor Center.