Tips for Visiting Mesa Verde National Park in Southwest Colorado

Visiting Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde is open year-round, but actual schedules vary with the season. The campground and some sites are closed during the winter. Visit the Mesa Verde National Park website for schedules and road conditions.

An entry fee is charged for visiting the park. The fee is good for 14 days. Suggested visitation time for Mesa Verde is two days. It is a 15 mile drive along winding, scenic roads from the park entrance to the visitor center and 21 miles from the park entrance to the sites and museum on Chapin Mesa. Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center to purchase tickets for visiting Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or Long House. Driving time into the park depends on traffic and weather conditions. To truly appreciate the park and to visit several of the cliff dwellings, please plan to spend two days at the park.

Pets are not allowed on trails, in sites, or in public buildings. Please do not plan to leave your pet in the car while visiting the sites, as summer heat can be deadly in an enclosed vehicle. Several local kennels in Cortez are available. Bicycles are allowed on paved roadways only, and are not allowed on the road out to Wetherill Mesa. Hiking is restricted to designated trails only in order to protect the archaeological resources. Several excellent hiking trails are available within the park. Trailers are not allowed past the campground.

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