Mesa Verde Information
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 Mesa Verde information. Find everything from tours to operational hours.
Where is Mesa Verde?
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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Visitor & Research Center
Mesa Verde National Park opened its new Visitor & Research Center in mid-December, 2012. This is where you purchase tickets to see the cliff dwellings of Long House, Balcony House, and Cliff Palace. The visitor center also features exhibits with information on the modern descendants of the Ancestral Pueblo people, several original sculptures and other pieces of art that reflect modern artists' perspectives on Mesa Verde, and more on the park's research collection.
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
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.
Operating HoursNon-Commercial Park Entrance Fees
*Fees good for 7 days
Private Vehicles
| Jan 2 - Apr 30 Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
$20.00 |
| May 1 - Oct 31 | $30.00 |
Motorcyclists
| Jan 2 - Apr 30 Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
$15.00 |
| May 1 - Oct 31 | $25.00 |
Bicyclists
| Jan 2 - Apr 30 Nov 1 - Dec 31 |
$10.00 |
| May 1 - Oct 31 | $15.00 |
Commercial Tour Fees
*not including driver, fees good for 7 days only if tour maintains the same group of people for each re-entry
| 1-6 Person Vehicle Capacity | Jan 2 - April 30 Nov 1 - Dec 31 |
$25.00 + $10.00 for each person 16 years or older |
| May 1 - Oct 31 | $25.00 + $15.00 for each person 16 years or older | |
| 7-15 Person Vehicle Capacity | All year long | $75.00 |
For information on organized non-commercial group entrance fees, annual passes, and America The Beautiful Series passes, please visit nps.gov.
Mesa Verde Tours
The Mesa Verde National Park offers numerous ranger guided tours. The Chapin Mesa tours of cliff dwellings include Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and A Twilight Tour of Cliff Palace and one Wetherhill Mesa tour, Long House. There are also free, self-guided tours available for Step House and other mesa tops.
Book TourMesa 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.
| Month | Mean Max Temp |
Mean Min Temp |
Mean Precipitation |
Avg # Of Clear Days |
| Jan | 40.3 | 18.4 | 1.67 | 16 |
| Feb | 44.3 | 19.2 | 1.75 | 13 |
| Mar | 50.4 | 26.4 | 1.69 | 15 |
| Apr | 51.6 | 33.9 | 1.35 | 14 |
| May | 71.2 | 43.6 | 0.99 | 15 |
| Jun | 82.6 | 51.8 | 0.71 | 19 |
| Month | Mean Max Temp |
Mean Min Temp |
Mean Precipitation |
Avg # Of Clear Days |
| Jul | 87.5 | 57.5 | 1.86 | 12 |
| Aug | 84.8 | 55.6 | 2.13 | 13 |
| Sep | 75.7 | 48.2 | 1.58 | 17 |
| Oct | 65.7 | 39.2 | 1.59 | 19 |
| Nov | 51.4 | 27.9 | 1.09 | 18 |
| Dec | 41.7 | 20.8 | 1.80 | 17 |
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 early May to late October, and due to its sharp curves and steep grade, vehicles are restricted to under 25 feet in length and 8,000 lbs and bicycles are not allowed.
Camping & Lodging in Mesa Verde
Aside from staying in Durango or other nearby locations, Mesa Verde National Park also offers accommodations.
