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. Find out about the following topics here:

• Park Entrance Fees
• Your First Stop Should Be...
• Park Activity Fees
• Mesa Verde Weather
• Safety Precautions in Mesa Verde
• Auto Travel in Mesa Verde
• Lodging in Mesa Verde
• Food and Dining in Mesa Verde
• Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
• Pet Policies in Mesa Verde National Park
• Other Natural Areas Near Mesa Verde

Park Entrance Fees

•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.

Your First Stop Should Be…

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.

Park Activity Fees

Ranger-Guided Tours for Balcony House, Cliff Place, or Long House (seasonal):
$3.00 per person -Purchased in advance at FarViewVisitorCenter

*There are also free, self-guided tours available for Spruce Tree House, Step House, and other mesa tops.

**During winter months, free tours of Spruce Tree House are provided.

Hours of Operation for park facilities and Cliff Dwellings vary during the year. (Hours)

Mesa Verde Weather

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.

Safety Precautions in Mesa Verde

• 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.

Auto Travel in Mesa Verde

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-Labor Day and due to its sharp curves and steep grade, vehicles are restricted to under 25 feet in length and 8,000 lbs.

Lodging in Mesa Verde

Aside from staying in Durango or other nearby locations, Mesa Verde National Park also offers accommodations.

• Far View Lodge (Reservations)
  Open late April-October
  1-800-449-2288

• Morefield Campground (Reservations)
  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

*For reservations, click here!

Food & Dining in Mesa Verde

• 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. Gourmet breakfasts also available.
• 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.

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum

Chapin Mesa Archeological 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, 8am-5pm
-Early April- early October, 8-6:30pm
-October- late December, 8am-5pm

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.

Pet Policies in Mesa Verde National Park

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.

Other Natural Areas Near Mesa Verde

• Arches National Park
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Chaco Canyon National Historic Park
• Canyon De Chelley National Monument
• Canyonlands National Park