Day 1: Wetherill Mesa
Who has four thumbs and the best timing in the world? We do! Unbeknownst to us certain areas of the park do close for the fall/winter, including all tours and even this loop (so check the NPS website before you go). The only reason we had decided to tackle this section of the park first was because it is the furthest out and has the most hiking - so without realizing it until later we had made it on the very last day it was open. Phew!
Make sure to stop at these overlooks on your way into the park.
Mancos Valley Overlook
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A great place to stop and soak up the sweeping views of the Colorado Plateau.
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Knife Edge Trail
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We only ventured to the overlook, but you can also walk the 2-mile roundtrip gravel trail that follows a section of the original park road built in the early 1900s. Either way, once you learn the history of how people use to get into the park you will be appreciative of the new road we use today.
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Park Point Lookout
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An easy 0.4-mile paved out-and-back trail that takes you to the highest point in the park (8,572 feet) granting you unobstructed views of the Four Corners Region and beyond. A bonus for us was the interior of the fire lookout tower, it was one of the most beautifully constructed interiors we have ever seen.
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Long House Loop
A 6-mile roundtrip paved trail which gives you access to the Badger House Community, Long House, and Kodak House Overlook. Pro tip: Bring bikes - your legs will thank us later! We had to skip the Kodak House Overlook because it was just too much walking for us for one day. Here are the trails we did hike…
Nordenskold Site #16
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A moderate 2-mile roundtrip gravel trail located off the Long House Loop that culminates at an overlook of a cliff dwelling in Rock Canyon. It is named after the Swedish scholar who excavated the site in the 1890s.
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Badger House Community
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Located off the Long House Loop, this 1-mile gravel loop takes you through four excavated villages representing 600 years of Pueblo history.
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Long House
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You can only gain access to the Long House by joining a ranger led tour, since that is not really our style, we opted for a peak at the cliff dwelling from the overlook instead. To help you gauge hiking times, the overlook is 3-miles roundtrip from the start of the main Long House Loop trail and does not factor in any other side trips offered along the way.
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Step House
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A moderate 1-mile roundtrip paved-and-gravel trail that traverses into Long Canyon and through the cliff dwelling. It is unique because it features two distinct periods of Pueblo architecture. Please note that this trail is only open when staffed by a ranger.
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For food and lodging recommendations check out our board: Falling for Colorado.
Day 2: Chapin Mesa
We woke up to pouring rain with a potential for snow later in the afternoon, but we did not let that stop us from exploring. After fueling up on cafeteria style breakfast and gallons of hot coffee we caught a break in the weather and made a beeline out to the mesa where we enjoyed many of these locations with little to no other people around.
Check out these Pueblo villages on your way.
Far View House
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This 0.75-mile easy walk takes you through five ancient Pueblo villages and a dry reservoir, lending a glimpse into a mesa-top farming community.
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Cedar Tree Tower
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One of several tower sites that have been discovered in the park. Although the significance of the towers is unknown, they are fascinating to explore and speculate about.
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Cliff Palace Loop Road
This 6-mile loop road grants you access to several cliff dwelling overlooks and the Soda Canyon (Balcony House) Overlook Trail. Note: This road also closes in the winter so plan accordingly.
Cliff Palace
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Hands down one of the most spectacular cliff dwellings in the entire park, and rightfully so as it is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. You can view it either from the overlook as we did, or the park offers ranger guided tours during certain times of the year.
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Do not fly past these other noteworthy overlooks: Cliff Canyon, House of Many Windows, and the Hemenway House. You are already there, so why not? Right?
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
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We really enjoyed this easy 1.2-mile roundtrip out-and-back gravel trail that leads you through Pinyons and Junipers to three overlooks – one of Balcony House and two of other cliff dwellings across Soda Canyon.
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Spruce Tree House
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Since 2015 visitors have not been allowed to get near this site due to potential rock fall, but you can still view the park’s best-preserved cliff dwelling from the overlook behind the Chapin Mesa Museum until the arch stabilization project is complete.
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Mesa Top Loop
Sadly, this 6-mile loop road was closed due to construction during our visit, so we have added these places to our wish list for the next time we are near Mesa Verde. For now, consider them windfall items on our day two itinerary. Check the NPS website for more information.
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