Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park

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Mesa Verde National Park featuring landscape views, a gorge or canyon and tranquil scenes
Mesa Verde National Park showing signage
Mesa Verde National Park which includes landscape views, a gorge or canyon and tranquil scenes
Mesa Verde National Park which includes land animals
Mesa Verde National Park featuring a gorge or canyon and landscape views
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Mesa Verde National Park must see attractions

1. Cliff Palace

Located within a massive sheltered sandstone alcove, Cliff Palace has been wonderfully preserved for over seven centuries. Visitors are often awed with the sheer size and scale of the dwelling, the largest in the national park. Explore the dwelling’s rooms and ceremonial sites, which give a sense of what life would have been like for its ancient inhabitants .
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Cliff Palace showing a ruin and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

2. Balcony House

Explore Balcony House, a 40-room cliff dwelling carved into a rock face in Mesa Verde National Park. The dwelling was most likely constructed during the 1200s by the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. Enjoy an educational and adventurous tour of this fascinating ancient residence.
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Balcony House which includes heritage elements

3. Spruce Tree House

As the best-preserved cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park, and the largest after Cliff Palace and Long House, Spruce Tree House is a favorite to visit at any time of year. Built between A.D. 1211 and 1278 by the Ancestral Puebloan people of southwestern America, the impressive dwelling features about 130 rooms and eight ceremonial kiva chambers. Note that the large alcove housing the dwelling measures 216 feet (66 meters) wide and 89 feet (27 meters) deep at its greatest width and depth.
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Mesa Verde National Park featuring heritage elements, building ruins and a gorge or canyon

4. Knife Edge Trail

Despite its forbidding name, Knife Edge Trail is accessible for all ages and fitness levels. Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding Montezuma Valley along the 2-mile-long (3-kilometer) trail. Spot local birds nesting in the brush off one side of the trail and soaring over the rocky drop-off on the other.
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Knife Edge Trail featuring tranquil scenes and landscape views

5. Soda Canyon Overlook Trail

For hikers of all levels, the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail is a great place to visit during your trip to Mesa Verde National Park. Follow the easy, family-friendly walk leading to great views of Balcony House and Soda Canyon’s other archaeological sites. The park has 5,000 known sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.
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Soda Canyon Overlook Trail featuring desert views

6. Park Point

In a national park filled with enthralling archaeological history and sensational natural views, Park Point literally stands tall above the rest. At an elevation of 8,572 feet (2,613 meters), Park Point is the highest spot in Mesa Verde National Park. Come here to admire far-reaching vistas, hike, picnic and learn about the importance of early wildfire detection.
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Park Point featuring tranquil scenes and landscape views

7. Step House Trail

Follow Step House Trail to a unique archaeological site representing remnants of two different ancient structures, from entirely different eras, located in the same spot. Discover a modified basket-maker site containing pit houses and a residential dwelling. Find both at the end of the 1-mile (2-kilometer) Step House Trail.
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Step House Trail featuring a ruin, heritage elements and a gorge or canyon

8. Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum

Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum for an excellent sense of what life was like for the Ancestral Puebloan people who lived in and around the region of Mesa Verde National Park. Browse the informative, educational exhibits at this well-maintained museum to enhance your entire park experience.
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Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum showing interior views as well as a small group of people

What to do in Mesa Verde National Park

Discover the most popular places to visit in Mesa Verde National Park

Cliff Palace showing a ruin and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Cliff Palace

Explore this immense 700-year-old cliff dwelling, the largest and most famous ancestral residence in the impressive Mesa Verde National Park.

Cliff Palace
Balcony House which includes heritage elements

Balcony House

Careful excavations have ensured the preservation of this historical cliff dwelling, which was built by the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians.

Balcony House
Mesa Verde National Park featuring a ruin and heritage elements

Spruce Tree House

If you have time to see only one of Mesa Verde National Park’s cliff dwellings, make it this beautifully preserved site, visible from the museum.

Spruce Tree House
Knife Edge Trail featuring tranquil scenes and landscape views

Knife Edge Trail

Covering a section of the original access road into Mesa Verde National Park, this short yet scenic trail features wonderful views of the surrounding valley.

Knife Edge Trail
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail

Soda Canyon Overlook Trail

For an easy hike with good views of several ruins in Mesa Verde National Park, choose this short stroll to the canyon edge.

Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
Park Point featuring tranquil scenes and landscape views

Park Point

Gaze at geological formations spread across four states and see a historic fire lookout at this panoramic place, the highest point in Mesa Verde National Park.

Park Point
Step House Trail which includes heritage elements and a ruin as well as a small group of people

Step House Trail

This short and steep path leads to a special cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park that can be viewed as part of a free self-guided tour.

Step House Trail
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum showing interior views as well as a small group of people

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum

This fascinating museum depicts the life of the Ancestral Puebloan people through the use of intricate dioramas and prehistoric artifacts.

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
Long House featuring heritage architecture and building ruins

Long House

Considered to be Mesa Verde National Park’s second-largest cliff dwelling, this ancient structure is part of a very rewarding guided tour.

Long House

Popular day trips from Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park showing tranquil scenes, mountains and landscape views

Cortez

Photo by Rick Tuers

Towaoc

Frequently asked questions

Is Mesa Verde National Park worth visiting?
Whether you're planning to enjoy the local charm and cultural hotspots or try regional foods and explore in nature, there are many things to do in Mesa Verde National Park.
How do I spend a day in Mesa Verde National Park?
After you've visited major attractions like Mesa Verde National Park Entrance and Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, spend some time discovering Mesa Verde National Park's shopping and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Mesa Verde National Park?
The top tourist attraction in Mesa Verde National Park is Mesa Verde National Park Entrance, so make sure to put it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Mesa Verde National Park?
You can easily tour top sights like Mesa Verde National Park Entrance, Park Point and Spruce Tree House with a three-day escape to Mesa Verde National Park. On average, many travelers book two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a bit longer and check out Cortez.
What are some activities to do in Mesa Verde National Park with kids?
Planning what to do in Mesa Verde National Park with kids has never been so simple. Whether you have teenagers or little ones, there are lots of family-friendly tours and activities to keep them entertained here.
What to do in Mesa Verde National Park for adults?
Adults of all ages will have plenty of things to do in Mesa Verde National Park. Whether you're into history, art, nature or just love discovering new destinations, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Mesa Verde National Park?
In Mesa Verde National Park, Soda Canyon Overlook Trail is an unmissable spot for anyone wanting to tour the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the local parks and neighborhoods, and ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a simple way to find out about the best free things to do in Mesa Verde National Park.