The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is full of artifacts, artwork, and displays for visitors to enjoy. You can also have a chat with the rangers or grab a map to plan your trip easily.

This first roadside overlook offers beautiful views of the Mancos Valley.

This historic Trail follows the historic route of the Knife Edge Road and offers beautiful views of Montezuma Valley. This relatively level trail clocks in at around 2 miles or 3.4 km.

Ascending steep switchbacks on the west side of Point Lookout, the 2.2-mile (3.5 km) roundtrip trail offers hikers magnificent views of the historic entrance road and mesa.

The Montezuma Valley Overlook showcases the valley, Cortez, and is also a great place to watch the sunset.

This short, paved walk leads to the highest elevation point in the park, and includes several overlooks, informational signs, and to the park fire watchtower.

A short walk leads to an overlook that showcases the area's geology.

This easy, 0.8 mile (1.3 km) hike includes several Ancestral Puebloan sites, such as Far View Terrace, Far View Reservoir, the Pipe Shrine House, and the Far View Tower.

Cedar Tree House is an Ancestral Puebloan Tower Kiva complex just a few steps from the parking lot. The Farming Terrace Trail is a short, easy 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) that showcases some ancient farming terraces.

An absolute must-do trail, this The 2.4-mile (3.9 km) loop trail is moderately difficult and rock, with some mild scrambling at one end. It's more than wort it however, as hikers are rewarded with not only a stunning petroglyph panel, but also the remnants of an Ancestral Puebloan dwelling, and beautiful views of Spruce Canyon throughout.

The Ancestral Puebloan Spruce Tree House is currently off-limits to in-site visitation due to structural instability, but visitors can still get a great view of the site from the balcony behind the museum. Extra-lucky visitors may also be able to catch a ranger program about the site. Check the museum for details.

The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum is an essential stop for all park visitors. There, visitors can enjoy a film on the history of the park, several exhibits, and get information on ranger talks and tours.

The Mesa Verde Association Bookstore and Gift Shop offers souveniers as well as educational materials to park visitors. Profits go to programs which benefit the park.

This is the tallest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde--a 4 story structure. The overlook is free, but to visit Square House, tickets are required.

This stop allows vistors to appreciate the changes of Ancestral Ouebloan architecture over time, from the earliest pithouses to the more modern pueblos.

These sites show beautiful Ancestral Puebloan kivas and chimney airflow systems.

This 30-room village was one of the last structures to be built by the Ancestral Puebloans before their departure.

Sun Temple, an uncompleted Ancestral Puebloan ceremonial structure, has been puzzling anthropologists as to its exact function since its discovery.

Cliff Palace is one of Mesa Verde's most popular stops--and for good reason. 150 rooms and 23 kivas make up this cliffside wonder. Visitors to this site must schedule a ranger-guided tour in advance.

Visitors will want to get advance tickets for this ranger-guided tour. The Balcony House is made of 38 rooms, 2 kivas, and a plaza. To visit, visitors need to be in relatively decent health, as they will need to climb through a small tunnel and climb several ladders.

This short and easy 1.2-mile (2 km) out-and-back trail is ideal for wildlife spotting. Along the way, you'll enjoy several views of the cliff houses dotting the adjacent cliffside. Be sure to walk all the way to the Soda Canyon overlook for the best view of the canyon.

This quick stop is a great place to look for raptor birds soaring above the cliffs. Visitors can also read the educational displays explaining the area's fires.

The Wetherill Mesa Station Kiosk should be your first stop before heading to the Long House Trail. This informative hub, located at the end Wetherill Mesa Road, provides visitors with essential details about the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and archaeological sites in the area. Offering maps, interpretive exhibits, and trail information, the kiosk helps visitors plan their ideal route through the surrounding, intersecting trails.

The Wetherill Mesa Sites include Step House, Kodak House, Long House, Nordenskiold Site 16, and Two Raven House. The hikes here can total up to or over 4.5 miles, if you visit all the sites. Visitors should prioritize Nordenskiold Site and Step House, as well as the by ticket-only Long House.

This is the only Ancestral Puebloan site on Wetherill Mesa Road that requires a ranger guide to visit. This sprawling structure consists of 50 rooms, 21 kivas, and several upper storage rooms.