Start Planning! 

Rachel Ennis

You’re about to go on an epic adventure to Mesa Verde National Park! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour has two starting points situated just under 7 miles from the park's gateway:
  • Cortez, AZ - Stands out as the more lively option, offering a lively atmosphere and a wider range of amenities.
  • Mancos, CO -  More suited to those looking for a more peaceful, quiet stay. 
• Entrance to Mesa Verde National Park is $15 per person. All current fees and entrance passes can be found here.
• Park hours: 8 A.M. to sunset.
• Advanced reservations are required for all ranger-guided tours.
• Restrooms, including flushable toilets, are available throughout the park.
• For holiday hours or unexpected closures, visit the NPS website.
• Summer temperatures in Mesa Verde can exceed 100°F (38°C) with limited shade. Bring double the amount of water you think you'll need.
• Plan for at least 1-2 full days to explore the park, especially if you have guided tours; two days is ideal.

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Rachel Ennis

Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs.

• Standard Fee: $15/person
• America the Beautiful Pass: $80/year.
• One-week car pass: Around $30.
• Ranger-Guided Tours:
  • Balcony House - $8/person
  • Cliff Palace - $8/person
  • Square Tower House - $25/person

Hours of Operation 

• Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center: 8:30 A.M to 4 P.M. daily.
• Far View Visitor's Area: open seasonally, café open from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
• Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum: 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. reduced seasonal hours
• Mesa Verde Assoc. Bookstore: seasonally open, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
• Cliff Palace: Open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
• Balcony House: open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
• Long House: open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
• Wetherill Mesa Kiosk:
  • May 19 to May 24: open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
  • May 25 to September 14: open daily from 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM.
  • September 15 to October 19: open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
  • Snack Service: Available 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM through September 2 at Wetherill Mesa Information Kiosk.

In general, the park is open from 8 A.M to sunset, with the main road up to the Spruce Tree Area (Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum) staying open 24/7. 

Please be aware that Wetherill Mesa Road is closed during the summer of 2024. For additional information, including special holiday hours or unexpected closures, check out the NPS website.

Get Packing!

Rachel Ennis

​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• comfortable walking shoes
• plenty of refillable water bottles
• a camera with zoom
• binoculars- If you have one, a camera with great zoom or binoculars is great for looking at the many cross-canyon cliff houses.

Best Time to Visit 

Rachel Ennis

Mesa Verde is a great park to visit in any season. Summer is the most crowded, while winter months see significantly fewer visitors. However, it can get quite chilly and snowy in the winter, and much of the park closes, including:

• Cliff Palace Loop Road (ski access only)
• Wetherill Mesa Road
• Chapin Mesa Museum
• Far View Lodge and Morefield Campground
• And all Cliff Dwelling Tours

Safety Information 

In the summer months in Mesa Verde, temperatures rise to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 °C), and in general, there’s not a lot of shade in the trail’s parks. 

A good rule of thumb is to bring whatever amount of water you think you might need, and then double it.  

Leave No Trace 

Rachel Ennis

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders.

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Mesa Verde National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Mesa Verde National Park Itinerary article.

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