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When you are planning a trip to Mesa Verde, there are some questions that cross most of the more than 500,000 visitors’ minds. For instance, someone might wonder what the weather is like or what facilities are open. Below you will find general information on Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Find everything from tours to operational hours.
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Mesa Verde location
Mesa Verde National Park is located in Southwestern Colorado. The Mesa Verde Park entrance is 1.5 hour drive from Durango, Colorado in the Four Corners area of the southwest.
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| •Park Entrance Fee for Private Vehicles | January 1 - Memorial Day
Labor Day - December 31 | Fee: $10.00
| | Memorial Day - Labor Day | Fee: $15.00 | | | Details: Fee good for 7 days |
•Park Entrance Fee for Motorcyclists and Individuals on
Non-Commercial Buses | January 1 - Memorial Day
Labor Day - December 31 | Fee: $5.00 | | Memorial Day - Labor Day | Fee: $8.00 | | | Details: Fee good for 7 days |
•Mesa Verde Annual Pass
Fee: $30.00
Details: Fee good for a year, beginning from the date of sale
•Commercial Tour Fees for 1-6 Person Vehicle Capacity
(not including driver) | January 1 - Memorial Day
Labor Day - December 31 | Fee: $25.00, plus $5.00 fee for each person, 16 years of age or older. | | Memorial Day - Labor Day |
Fee: $25.00, plus $8.00 fee for each person, 16 years of age or older. | | | Details: Fee good for 7 days only if tour maintains the same group of people for each re-entry. |
•Commercial Tour Fees for 1-6 Person Vehicle Capacity
(not including driver)
Fee: $25.00, plus $5.00 fee for each person, 16 years of age or older.
Details: Fee good for 7 days only if tour maintains the same group of people for each re-entry.
•Commercial Tour Fees for 7-15 Person Vehicle Capacity
(not including driver)
Fee: $75.00
Details: Fee good for 7 days only if tour maintains the same group of people for each re-entry.
•Commercial Tour Fees for 16-25 Person Vehicle Capacity
(not including driver)
Fee: $100.00
Details: Fee good for 7 days only if tour maintains the same group of people for each re-entry.
•Commercial Tour Fees for 26+ Person Vehicle Capacity
(not including driver)
Fee: $200.00
Details: Fee good for 7 days only if tour maintains the same group of people for each re-entry.
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Far View Visitor Center
At FarView Visitor Center, located just 15 miles inside the park, you must purchase any tickets for ranger-guided tours you wish to participate in at a later time. Displays of Native American jewelry and other articles, as well as restrooms are also located at the visitor center. The Far View Lodge, restaurant, cafeteria, and a gift shop are also nearby. |
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The Mesa Verde National Park offers numerous ranger guided tours. The Chapin Mesa tours of cliff dwellings include Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Spruce Tree House and A Twilight Tour of Cliff Palace and one Wetherhill Mesa tour, Long House. Tickets for guided-tours must be purchased in person at the Far View Visitor Center, Morefield Ranger Station, Colorado Welcome Center, Cortez and Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum.
Mesa Verde Tours
There are also free, self-guided tours available for Spruce Tree House, Step House, and other mesa tops. |
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The following table shows the average temperature in Mesa Verde National Park for each month. Snow storms can occur as early as October or as late as May and summer temperatures can be in the 90s, so be prepared for weather.
Month |
Average
High
Temperature in Fahrenheit |
Average
Minimum
Temperature in Fahrenheit |
January |
40.3 |
18.4 |
February |
44.3 |
19.2 |
March |
50.4 |
26.4 |
April |
51.6 |
33.9 |
May |
71.2 |
43.6 |
June |
82.6 |
51.8 |
July |
87.5 |
57.5 |
August |
84.8 |
55.6 |
September |
75.7 |
48.2 |
October |
65.7 |
39.2 |
November |
51.4 |
27.9 |
December |
41.7 |
20.8 |
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- Dial 911 in an emergency
- Tune to AM 1610 for park information.
- Be alert of falling rock.
- Keep your physical health in mind when planning your activities.
- Stay on trails!
- Do not sit, climb, or walk on archeological structures.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Remember that even in the shade, temperatures can climb very quickly inside a parked car; please be kind to all pets. Pets cannot be left alone at any time within Mesa Verde National Park.
- Feeding and capturing or teasing wildlife is strictly prohibited.
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The roads inside Mesa Verde are steep and winding. Plan around 2 hours just for traveling into and out of the park. Trailers and towed vehicles are not allowed to go beyond Morefield Campground. These can be parked in the large parking lot near the entrance station.
Wetherill Mesa Road is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and due to its sharp curves and steep grade, vehicles are restricted to under 25 feet in length and 8,000 lbs.
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 Aside from staying in Durango or other nearby locations, Mesa Verde National Park also offers accommodations.
- Far View Lodge (Reservations)
Open late April-October
150 rooms including private balconies with every room.
1-800-449-2288
- Morefield Campground (Reservations)
Reservations required.
Single and Group Camping – you bring your camping equipment
Base Camping – you are supplied with camping equipment
Open early May-October
1-800-449-2288.
- 435 sites
- $20 per campsite per night + tax-two tent max
- $25 per RV hook-up per night + tax-15 RV hook-ups available
*Reservations! |
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- Spruce Tree Terrace Restaurant: Located near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, this is the perfect location for a casual lunch or dinner. Open daily and year-round.
- Metate Room Restaurant: Organic produce, fresh fish, and wild game bring excitement to the table. Enjoy a meal at Metate from late April to October.
- Far View Terrace and Marketplace: Casual dining is available from breakfast to dinner from late April-October. Be sure to check out the Java City Coffee Bar for coffees, ice cream, and fresh fudge.
- Knife Edge Café: Located in Morefield Campground, open from late May - September, serving breakfast and dinner.
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While we love our special friends, pet activities are limited within the park.
- Pets are not allowed on trails or near archeological sites.
- Pets may be walked along roads, in the campground, and in parking lots.
- You may not leave your pet unattended at any time. This includes tying them to the exterior of motor vehicles.
- The National Park Service requests that pet handlers collect pet excrement immediately and dispose of pet waste in a proper receptacle.
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If you are interested in learning more about Mesa Verde National Park or the puebloans, Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum is located on Chapin Mesa, about 20 miles from the park entrance. The museum’s displays illustrate Ancestral Puebloan life, culture, and prehistoric artifacts, and other park items of interest.
Open year round:
January - early April, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Early April - early October, 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
October - late December, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Orientation Film:
Shown every ½ hour provides visitors with an overview of park history.
Pick up your free self-guided tours of Spruce Tree House in the spring, summer, and fall or participate in a free ranger-guided tour in winter months.
Along with the museum and tours, you will find a bookstore, water and restroom facilities, a snack bar, gift shop, and post office nearby. |
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