Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look
into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their
home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the
park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites, including
600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable
and best preserved in the United States. The stunning landscape
of Southwest Colorado, near Four Corners, is the backdrop as you
explore Mesa Verde National Park.
Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round, but some facilities,
tours, and access to archeological sites are seasonal. To make
the most out of your trip, take a look at the Park
Schedule to see what will be available at the time of your
visit.
Getting
Here
Mesa Verde is located in southwestern Colorado midway between
Cortez and Mancos off US 160. From the highway to the park headquarters
is 21 miles and about 45 minutes. About 15 miles from the highway
is the Far View Visitor Center and 4 miles from the highway is
Morefield Campground. The road leading up to the park is a very
scenic road but it also has sharp curves and steep grades so remember
to only park in designated areas.
If you're flying to the Southwest, there are daily
scheduled flights into Cortez and Durango. Both towns have rental
car services. The closest railroad terminals come into Grand Junction,
Colorado and Gallup New Mexico and both of those have buses running
to Cortez.
When
you arrive at Mesa Verde, the first thing you should do is visit
the Far ViewVisitor Center which is open during the summer (early
June through Labor Day Weekend) or the Chapin Mesa Museum which
is open 8am-6:30pm during the summer and 8am-5pm during the rest
of the year. The Visitor Center features exhibits that focus on
the contemporary American Indian cultures in the Four Corners
area. You'll also find books and postcards at the bookstore. From
there a park ranger can help you plan getting the most out of
your visit. He'll give you the choice of visiting Chapin Mesa
or Wetherill Mesa. Click Here to view maps
of Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa.
For more information, Check
out our Frequently Asked Question page
