Mesa Verde National Park from A to Z

The green area , which is a UNESCO site, is made up of a park like any other, there are many cave homes and archaeological sites, as well as lush and canine mountains. With its unavoidable highlights and interesting facts, this complete anthology will be your best companion on your next journey. It is an era of time travel and is full of enigma to some of the most beautiful archaeological remains that you’ll find when you travel to the United States.

Introducing Mesa Verde National Park

Located in southwest Colorado , Mesa Verde houses more than 5,000 archaeological sites, including several cave-dwelling villages that were inhabited in the early 600s by the Anasazi people (ancestral people).

This forgotten park of the American West is bisected by a scenic highway that forks at Far View, dividing the park into two sections :

Chapin Mesa: Open all year round, this is the most visited area.
Mesa Wetherill: Less visited, open from mid-May to mid-October . The 20 km Wetherill Mesa Road is steep and winding and is prohibited to vehicles over 25 feet long.

¿What to do in Mesa Verde?

Start your visit with a stop at the Visitor Center at the park entrance, it’s a must .

You will be welcomed by park rangers who will help you plan your visit and explain the structure of the park. You can also here buy tickets for guided tours of Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Long House.

Don’t miss exhibits highlighting the richness of ancient Puebloan culture.

The museum is also worth a visit.

Exhibits and a 25-minute orientation film will teach you all about the life and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people.

Opening hours: 9:00 – 16:30 from early January to mid-April, 8:00 – 18:30 from mid-April to late September, 8:00 – 17:00 from late September to mid-April October and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from mid-October to the end of December.

#2. The Fir Tree House

This house, built in a natural alcove 66 m wide and 27 m deep, has 130 rooms and 8 kitchens.

Unfortunately it is not possible to walk on the site due to falling stones but you can get closer by taking an easy path from the museum.

What is a kiva? The kiva were round underground rooms accessed from the roof by means of a ladder. They were used for religious ceremonies and as a meeting place for activities such as weaving.

#3. cliff palace

• Tour duration: 1 hour.
• Price: $7.
• When: mid-April to mid-October.
• Reserve your ticket here or buy it at the Visitor Center.

That’s incredible abode, perched on the edge of the canyon, contained 150 rooms and 23 kivas and had a population of about 100 people.

It is the largest rock dwelling in the park and really feels like a village.

Cliff Palace often appears in the most famous photos of the national park, a perfect illustration of the park’s vegetation and famous rock formations.

#4. The house with a balcony.

• Tour duration: 1 hour.
• Price: $7.
• When: mid-April to late September.
• Reserve your ticket here or buy it at the Visitor Center.

with hers; With its tunnel , steep passages and 10-meter entrance staircase Balcón Casa is the most adventurous tour of the park.

But if you are fit and not afraid of heights, don’t hesitate for a second.

It is a simply magnificent site.

#5. Petroglyph Point Trail

This moderate 3.7 km circular walk begins near the museum.

The route offers a magnificent view of Spruce Canyon and Navajo Canyon and leads past a large panel of petroglyphs.

Some sections are quite steep, so be careful if hiking with small children.

#6. Mesa Upper Loop Highway

This 10 km one-way road offers access to several short paved trails leading to viewpoints .

There are many ruins and archaeological sites along the way. Highlights include square tower house and the view of Cliff Palace at Sun Point View .

#1. house step

Smaller but similar in appearance to the other dwellings, the Step House is located in a large alcove on the east side of the plateau.

It is open for self-guided tours and is reached via a short path. There is always a ranger on duty to answer your questions .

#2. the long house

• Tour duration: 2 hours.
• Price: $7.
• When: mid-May to end of September.
• Reserve your ticket here or buy it at the Visitor Center.

long house is the second largest dwelling in the park .

The guided tour lasts 2 hours and includes a 3.6 kilometer round trip walk and two 4.5 meter stairs located on site.

This trip is quite physical due to the high temperature, altitude, and difficulty of the trail.

¿Where can you eat at the green table?

It is a great place to hold a cheap banquet. You’ll find Southern California quirks, including the renowned Navajo tacos. Every day of the week, throughout the year, access to the Zone is open.

A cafe that has a beautiful view and an extensive repertoire of food, near Far View Lodge. It opens in the rainy season, which is from May to September.

Good quality food, excellent service and beautiful view of the park (trying to get a table by the window). Open from mid-spring to late fall. Reservations are strongly suggested.

¿Where to stay in the Green Zone?

Fait View Lodge is located in a peaceful area within the environment, and is the only accommodation within the place. All rooms have a balcony with optimal vision… however they do not have a TV.

A wonderful setting in the canyon, just 6 kilometers from the entrance of the place, is called comfortable camping. The camping site has all the facilities: a laundry, a gas station, a gift shop… Stomachs will love the town’s pancakes and will also enjoy breakfast.

Beware: it is not uncommon to see deer and wild turkeys!

It’s time to get better

The place is free and open all year round. However, as previously known, the Wetherill Mesa sector cannot be entered from mid-October to mid-May.

Although there are no penyage walks in most of the stone houses in rainbow mode, they can be observed from the pandanges.

There are several couloirs for snow skating, cross-country skiing and walking: when the place turns white during winter, it is simply wonderful!

Rates

Valid for 7 days, the park entrance fee is $25 per vehicle (including occupants) in high season and $20 in low season.

If you plan to visit more than 2 or 3 parks during your trip, the most economical option is to purchase “ America the BEAUTIFUL ” for $80 which is valid for 1 year.

Practical information

• There is no transportation service within the park.
• It takes at least a full day to visit the park. But between you and me, if you can spend two days there, don’t hesitate.
• The Mesa Verde Research and Visitor Center is open daily from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm in peak season (late May to early September) and from 8:00 am to 4:30 am the rest of the season. anus.
• Cell service is limited in the park.
• Summers can be very hot and there is little shade in the park. Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
• Mesa Verde is at an elevation of 2135 m. You may feel short of breath, nauseated, or tired. Take it easy.

Map of Mesa Verde National Park

And look! Sounds like a great program, right? Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments section below.