National Park · Rocky Mountains · CO
Mesa Verde National Park
For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth.
Current alerts
InformationRoad Construction
Far View Sites and Cedar Tree Tower are closed for road improvements. Road work along the first four miles of the park road from the entrance station will begin in early summer. Delays of up to 30 minutes are possible - please check the park map before your visit. Wetherill Mesa Road has compacted gravel for 30 feet; motorcycles should take extra caution on this road.
Location
37.2391, -108.4624
Hours & fees
Mesa Verde National Park Hours
The park is open daily except for emergency conditions. The Visitor & Research Center and Mesa Verde Museum are open all year but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Ancestral sites, picnic areas, and trails are open 8 am to sunset. Some park areas including Wetherill Mesa, campground, and other visitor services are closed during winter. Cliff dwelling tours are mid-May through late October. Reservations are required and available 14 days in advance of tour date online at www.recreation.gov.
| Monday | All Day |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | All Day |
| Wednesday | All Day |
| Thursday | All Day |
| Friday | All Day |
| Saturday | All Day |
| Sunday | All Day |
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $30.00
Valid for 7 days.
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $25.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
Valid for 7 days.
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $20.00
Purchase digital park entrance passes on recreation.gov at no additional cost. Once purchased, passes for Mesa Verde National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone is highly recommended. Passes, including the America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, or Senior pass may be purchased at the entrance station upon arrival.
- Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
Purchase digital park entrance passes on recreation.gov at no additional cost. Once purchased, passes for Mesa Verde National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone is highly recommended. Passes, including the America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, or Senior pass may be purchased at the entrance station upon arrival.
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $15.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Best time to visit
Accessible primarily in: Spring, Summer, Fall.
The Visitor & Research Center and Mesa Verde Museum are open all year but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Camping
- Food
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store