Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park Tour
About The Tour
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mesa Verde National Park is a treasure trove of culture and history. The park is home to some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in North America, including the iconic Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House. These ancient dwellings, built ...
Show MoreHere are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore Cliff Palace, the largest and most iconic cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
• Experience the adventure of Balcony House, a cliff dwelling accessible by ladders and tunnels, offering a glimpse into ancient Puebloan life and architecture.
• Visit Step House, a well-preserved cliff dwelling and pithouse that offers a unique opportunity to explore two distinct periods of Puebloan history.
• Spruce House: Marvel at Spruce House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, nestled into a naturally sheltered alcove with easy trail access.
• Long House: Discover Long House, the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park, featuring fascinating archaeological sites and expansive views of Wetherill Mesa.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Recommended Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Tour Starting Point(s): Cortez, CO and Mancos, CO
Time to complete: 6-8 Hours
All Shaka Guide tours include customer support and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire.
Sample Tour Audio
If Walls Could Talk Part 1
Where There's a Wetherill There's a Way
Table Of Plenty
Tour Stops
Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
Mancos Valley Overlook
Knife Edge Trailhead
Point Lookout Trailhead
Montezuma Valley Overlook
Park Point Overlook and Fire Lookout
Geologic Overlook
Far View Sites
Cedar Tree Tower
Petroglyph Point Trail
Spruce Tree House
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
Mesa Verde Assoc. Bookstore
Square Tower House
Pithouse and Pueblo
Mesa Top Sites
Sun Point Pueblo
Sun Temple
Cliff Palace
Balcony House
Soda Canyon Trailhead
Fire Recovery Viewpoint (Temporarily Closed)
Wetherill Mesa Kiosk
Wetherill Mesa Sites
Long House
What is there to see and do in Mesa Verde National Park?
Mesa Verde National Park is famous for its well-preserved cliff dwellings – ancient homes built by the Ancestral Pueblo people. Visitors can explore several of these fascinating archaeological sites, including the most iconic, Cliff Palace, as...
Show MoreWhat is there to see and do in Mesa Verde National Park?
Mesa Verde National Park is famous for its well-preserved cliff dwellings – ancient homes built by the Ancestral Pueblo people.
Visitors can explore several of these fascinating archaeological sites, including the most iconic, Cliff Palace, as well as Balcony House and Spruce Tree House, through guided tours.
In addition to the cliff dwellings, the park offers numerous hiking trails, scenic drives, and the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum, where you can learn about the region’s cultural history. We’ll guide you to 47 hand-picked stops on our Mesa Verde National Park Tour!
How do you visit the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde?
To visit the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, you will need to book a ranger-guided tour of sites like Cliff Palace and Balcony House, as these are only accessible with a guide. Tickets can be purchased in advance at recreation.gov and are required ...
Show MoreHow do you visit the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde?
To visit the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, you will need to book a ranger-guided tour of sites like Cliff Palace and Balcony House, as these are only accessible with a guide. Tickets can be purchased in advance at recreation.gov and are required for these more adventurous tours, which involve climbing ladders and navigating narrow passageways.
You can pair these guided tours with Shaka Guide’s Mesa Verde National Park Tour for a comprehensive visit to the park! As far as cliff houses you can visit on your own, Spruce Tree House is sometimes accessible via a self-guided tour, but, as of 2024, the site is closed indefinitely due to safety concerns.
However, you can still get a great view of this cliff house from behind the Chapin Mesa Museum. There is, however, one cliff house that can still be visited without a guide, and that’s Step House on Wetherill Mesa Road. Check the NPS to be sure that the road and the site are currently open, and be aware that Wetherill Mesa Road is not accessible in the winter.
When is the best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park?
The best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. These months offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the cliff dwell...
Show MoreWhen is the best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park?
The best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller.
These months offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the cliff dwellings and hiking, with cooler mornings and evenings.
Summer is also a popular time to visit, but it can be hot, and the park tends to be more crowded. Winter offers a quieter experience with fewer visitors, but some facilities, roads, and cliff-dwelling tours may be closed due to snow and cold weather conditions.
Please keep in mind when scheduling your trip that guided tours typically are only available from late spring to early fall.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here's how it works:
- GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk.
- Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here's how it works:
- GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
- The app works offline so even with spotty service we'll get you where you need to go.
- The app works offline so even with spotty service we'll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let's explore together.
Tour FAQs
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Other Questions? Contact us!
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