United States Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park

A national park in Colorado known for well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, featuring over 600 cliff structures.

Tips from the community

Personally, I’m a little upset that I have to leave Mesa Verde in second place. It’s for good reason, but let’s leave it at this for now: this is not a park you want to miss out on if you’re anywhere near Southwestern Colorado. Despite having visited Mesa Verde twice, it’s the sort of park I could come back to again and again with a fresh sense of wonder.  As the largest archeological preserve in the United States, Mesa Verde offers views of more than 600 cliff dwellings carved into shallow mesa shelves by ancestral Pueblo people over the course of centuries between 550 and 1200 AD. Since 1906, people have been hiking, horseback riding, and now driving into the park to look at the cliff dwellings from across a shallow canyon where they look like tiny, windowed nests packed into caves. You can even take guided trips into the dwellings that housed entire communities thousands of years ago. This is a highly accessible park. With few options for hiking (except in winter, when several roads throughout the park are closed and you’re welcome to snowshoe to sites), most visitors drive through, stopping at dig sites and reconstructed kivas as well as at overlooks of the famous Balcony House and Cliff Palace. If you’re looking for something strenuous, look somewhere else, but there’s nothing in Colorado—or maybe on earth—quite like Mesa Verde.

savannah.whitmer 4 years ago

Mesa Verde National Park is a prime example of how the US national parks system isn’t only about preserving Mother Nature. Counting a whopping 5,000 individual archaeology sites, this one’s a glimpse at the pre-history of the continent. The land here was once inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans, who raised enthralling adobe-rock settlements like the Cliff Palace nearly 1,000 years ago. You’ll also get to see ancient pictographs and petroglyphs and cave dwellings.

jrfrancis 3 years ago

There’s nothing that can prep you for the amazing ancient ruins at the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Within the park lies the great adobe Cliff Palace built more than 1,000 years ago by the Ancestral Puebloans, along with pictographs and cave paintings aplenty.

jrfrancis 3 years ago

Mesa Verde National Park Guides

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    gocamp (GoCamp )
    Picture this: you're cruising along winding mountain roads, each turn revealing stunning vistas that look as though they've been plucked straight out of a nature documentary. A Rocky Mountain road trip in Colorado is the ultimate adventure for those who crave scenic drives, breathtaking landscapes, and the freedom to explore the great outdoors at your own pace. From the iconic, rugged peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the quaint and historic mountain towns dotting the region, you're in for an unforgettable journey. Buckle up, roll down the windows, and let the fresh mountain air invigorate your senses as we dive into the must-see spots that make Colorado a road-tripper's paradise.

  • The ultimate Colorado Road Trip

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Picture the rugged peaks of the Rockies soaring into crystal-clear skies, the rustle of aspen leaves in the mountain breeze, and the allure of the open road calling out to your wanderlust—this is the essence of the ultimate Colorado road trip. As we embark on this adventure together, we'll traverse the state's scenic byways, uncover hidden gems, and make stops at iconic destinations that are as diverse as they are breathtaking. From the world-renowned ski towns to the untamed beauty of the national parks, and the vibrant city life to the tranquil hot springs, each mile will be a story to tell. Buckle up, because Colorado's majestic landscapes await to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

  • Map of National Parks in the US

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    The US boasts an impressive 63 national parks, each with its own distinct character, awe inspiring views and countless ways to connect with nature. The parks are managed by the National Park Service which offers an annual pass for access to all 63 parks throughout the year for one flat price. Let's explore.

  • World Heritage Sites in North America

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Sprawling natural parks with unique wildlife, ancient and mysterious temples, world-renown monuments, and more- the continent of North America is one with a deep history to be uncovered. Explore some of humankind's most famous mysteries and witness nature's magnificence at these UNESCO designated world heritage sites across the massive continent.

Mesa Verde National Park Articles

  • Colorado’s National Parks: Ranked

    “Nil Sine Numine” — Nothing Without Providence. It’s a fitting motto for a state that seems to be providentially blessed with beauty in every corner. Colorado is home to some of the most varied terrain in the continental United States, with its mountains, mesas, and deserts preserved in four national parks. If you’re feeling overwhelmed […]

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