Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde

This is a more remote park with potentially difficult winter driving and/or winter closures. Ideal times to visit are between April and the beginning of October (though keep in mind the summer can be quite hot). 

Distances (by car) from:

Albuquerque: 4 hours

Flagstaff: 4.5 hours

Denver: 7 hours

Mesa Verde National Park

@reegan

****Reservations needed for certain tours**** Reserve through the recreation.gov app/website. This is one of my favorite national parks. The cliff dwellings are awe inspiring. And, the scenery feels like it stretches for miles. It's slightly more remote compared to some other parks, but I did spend some time dodging tour buses.

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Lodging:

Not all lodging is year round - check dates to confirm availability. 

Morefield Campground

@reegan

Beautiful campground where I felt both nearby to the other campers, but had my own well-defined campsite. For a true 60's Americana road trip experience splurge on the pancake breakfast at the camp store.

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This campground is within Mesa Verde and operated by a contractor with the park system. This is where I stayed and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience in the campground.

The National Park also has a lodge within the park if you are not interested in camping. 

Far View Lodge | Mesa Verde National Park CO

www.visitmesaverde.com

Driving Tours

These tours are self guided along two main loops within the park:

Cliff Palace loop:

6 mile drive overlooking cliff dwellings. There are multiple pull-offs for overlooks at various cliff dwellings. This is also the road to the Cliff Palace. Remember, access to the Cliff Palace is ranger-led and you need to make reservations before your trip!

Mesa Top Loop:

6 mile drive through mesa-top villages and overlooking cliff dwellings. Check out the accompanying audio tour to enrich the drive (download prior to trip due to lack of service in the park):

Hikes

Stop in the visitor center for a comprehensive list!

Point Lookout Trail:

2 miles, round trip. A short hike that I took in the evening to watch the sunset over the Montezuma Valley. The trail head is located in the campgrounds. 

Step House:

1 mile round trip, paved. Ends at a Step House staffed by a ranger. It is an up close look at one of the cliff dwellings. 

Petroglyph Point Trail:

2.5 miles round trip and strenuous. Beautiful hike that, first, runs along the side of a canyon and then on top of a mesa. Traveling from the canyon side to the mesa top will involve some scrambling and rugged terrain - may be difficult for those with a fear of heights.  

Tours 

Cliff Dwelling Tours:

Make this a top priority to reserve on recreation.gov. These fill up quickly and the 

Nearby:

Cortez:

A, roughly, 30 minute drive into the closest town to Mesa Verde. 

Cortez

@reegan

A short trip from Mesa Verde - we stopped in to town to take a break from the heat. Check out: La Casita de Cortez: An affordable and delicious lunch/dinner option. Main Street Brewery: Try a flight of some locally made beer

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Durango:

A One hour drive from the visitor center:

Durango

@reegan

Coffee/Tea Break: Coffee Joe's (small chain) Local Brewery: Ska Brewing

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