Mesa Verde National Park 
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Area: 80sq.mi/210sq.km
Established: 1906
Season
The National Park, the Museum and Spruce Tree House are open throughout the year; other facilities are closed in winter.
Situation and characteristics
The Mesa Verde ("Green Table") is a tabular hill covered with coniferous forest which reaches a height of 8,573ft/2,613m, rising abruptly to 2,000ft/600m above the semi-desertic foreland of the Rockies in the extreme southwest of Colorado. It is of interest not so much for the natural landscape as for the relics of a past Indian culture. Around the beginning of the Christian era the river valleys in this region were occupied by nomadic Indians who later took to a settled life. In the sixth century, for
Established: 1906
Season
The National Park, the Museum and Spruce Tree House are open throughout the year; other facilities are closed in winter.
Situation and characteristics
The Mesa Verde ("Green Table") is a tabular hill covered with coniferous forest which reaches a height of 8,573ft/2,613m, rising abruptly to 2,000ft/600m above the semi-desertic foreland of the Rockies in the extreme southwest of Colorado. It is of interest not so much for the natural landscape as for the relics of a past Indian culture. Around the beginning of the Christian era the river valleys in this region were occupied by nomadic Indians who later took to a settled life. In the sixth century, for
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Hobbies & Activities category: National park; Western hemisphere native art, artifacts; Archeological site or ruin; Scenic site or route; UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mesa Verde National Park Highlights
Chapin Mesa
The other road from the Visitor Center leads to Chapin Mesa, passing the Far View Ruins and Cedar Tree Tower. In 25mi/40km the road comes to the Park Headquarters Area.Cedar Tree Tower
From Cedar Tree Tower it is a short walk to the terraced fields once cultivated by the Indians.The tower is a ten-foot rounded wall that may have been used as a lookout.
Far View Ruins
The Far View Ruins were occupied between the 10th and 14th centuries.
An access road leads to a parking area, from which footpaths lead to the Far View House, Pipe Shrine House, Coyote Village,
An access road leads to a parking area, from which footpaths lead to the Far View House, Pipe Shrine House, Coyote Village,
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Park Headquarters Area
A loop road branching off of the road to Chapin Mesa leads to the Park Headquarters Area, with the Chapin Mesa Museum and the Spruce Tree House, as well as the park headquarters, a library and ranger's office.Chapin Mesa Museum
The Chapin Mesa Museum has archeological remains, Indian arts and crafts.There are dioramas depicting the life of the Anasazi Indians.
Petroglyph Point Hike
A permit must be obtained from the National Park administration for hiking on the Spruce Canyon Trail and the Petroglyph Point Trail, in the area of the Chapin Mesa Museum.
The Petroglyph Point
The Petroglyph Point
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Spruce Canyon Trail
A permit must be obtained from the National Park administration for hiking on the Spruce Canyon Trail (2mi/3.2km) and the Pictograph Point Trail, in the area of the Chapin Mesa Museum.
Beginning
Beginning
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Spruce Tree House
To the southeast of the Park Headquarters area, on the edge of Spruce Canyon, is Spruce Tree House, the best preserved settlement in the park and one of the largest, with 114 rooms and 8 kivas.
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Ruins Road
The Chapin Mesa Museum is the starting-point of Ruins Road Drive, which takes in the main features of the Mesa Verde in two long loops, with a total length of 12mi/19km.Ruins Road East
On the eastern loop of the road are the Cliff Palace and the Balcony House.Balcony House
The Balcony House is built into a wide, low recess on the wall of Soda Canyon.It can only be visited on a strenuous guided tour; tickets must be purchased in advance from the Far View Visitor Center.
Cliff Palace
The 299-room Cliff Palace, in a large cave on the east side of Cliff Canyon, is the largest cave settlement in the park and the first to be discovered in 1888.
It can only be visited on a guided
It can only be visited on a guided
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Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
There is an overlook of Soda Canyon accessible from the eastern loop of Ruins Road in Mesa Verde National Park.Ruins Road West
The high spots in the western part of the park are the Square Tower House, the Sun Point Pueblo, and the unfinished Sun Temple.Navajo Canyon Overlook
On the western loop of Ruins Road is a pulloff for an overlook of Navajo Canyon.Square Tower House
The Square Tower House is a four-story structure built against the rock wall of the Navajo Canyon.Sun Point Pueblo
The Sun Point Pueblo has the remains of a village which was pulled down by its inhabitants in the 13th century to provide material for new dwellings in a cave in nearby Cliff Canyon.Sun Temple
The unfinished Sun Temple is a large cult building on a D-shaped plan.Entrance Road
From the entrance on the north side of the park a winding road leads to Morfield Village. It then continues past Montezuma Valley Overlook and Park Point to the Far View Visitor Center.Far View Visitor Center
The Far View Visitor Center features exhibits of Native American jewelry, pottery, and basket displays. Visitors must purchase their tickets for Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or Long House from the visitor center.Montezuma Valley Overlook
On the entrance road to Mesa Verde National Park is the Montezuma Overlook, with views of Montezuma Valley and surrounding area. The overlook is an excellent place to watch the sunset.Morefield Village
Four miles past the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park is Morefield Village, with a campground and park visitor services. The campground has over 400 sites and is open from late April until mid-October on a first come, first served basis.Knife Edge Trail
No permit is required for the Knife Edge Trail (1.5mi/2.4km), in the Morfield Village area.The trail leads to a picnic site at the Montezuma Valley Overlook.
Point Lookout Trail
From the Morfield Amphitheater parking lot, the Point Lookout Trail rises 500 feet over 2.3 miles to an impressive overlook.Prater Edge Trail
No permit is required for the Prater Ridge Trail (7-3/4mi/12.5km) in the Morfield Village area.The Prater Ridge Trail is a loop that features views of the Montezuma Valley.
Park Point
From the entrance road to Mesa Verde National Park, an access road leads to Park Point, the highest point in the park at 8,572 feet.Wetherill Mesa
From the Far View Visitor Center a 13mi/21km long road runs to Wetherill Mesa, with the Step House and the Long House.All the Wetherill Mesa sites are accessible by hiking trails, except Long House, which is reached only by a mini-train.
Badger House
There are self-guided tours through the Badger House ruins, including a pithouse and stone pueblos.Kodak House
The Kodak House can be seen from an overlook on the Wetherill Mesa Road. There are about 60 rooms in the two-story building.Long House
The Long House is the second largest ruin in the park, with a large open space in which dances and ceremonies were performed.
The Long House can only be visited under the guidance of a park ranger
The Long House can only be visited under the guidance of a park ranger
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Nordenskiold Site #16
Nordenskiold Site #16 is named after Gustaf Nordenskiold, who excavated the Step House site in 1891.Step House
The Step House shows remains of two periods of settlement.There is an unfinished pithouse, built around 625 AD and a stone cliff dwelling built 600 years later.
Two Raven House
Two Raven House can be found near the Badger House ruins on Wetherill Mesa.Mesa Verde National Park
Box 8
Mesa Verde, CO 81330-0008
United States
Phone 1 (970) 529-4465
Fax 1 (970) 529-4637
Box 8
Mesa Verde, CO 81330-0008
United States
Phone 1 (970) 529-4465
Fax 1 (970) 529-4637
Open year-round (except for Wetherill Mesa).
Hiking is restricted to established park trails.
Pets must be on a leash.
Biking is permitted on paved roads (except Wetherill Mesa).
Hiking is restricted to established park trails.
Pets must be on a leash.
Biking is permitted on paved roads (except Wetherill Mesa).
Facilities
Gift shop
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