Mesa Verde Information
Mesa Verde National Park Tickets, Prices, Tours & More Info
When you’re planning a trip to Mesa Verde National Park, 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. The park consists of more than 52,000 acres, so be sure to download a map of Mesa Verde before you plan your venture.
Mesa Verde Maps
Mesa Verde Hours
Mesa Verde National Park is open daily, year-round, but operating hours are subject to change based on unforeseen weather and other conditions. Additionally, certain attractions such as cliff dwellings tours and most trails are only open during select months. Review more detailed information on Mesa Verde operating hours when planning your trip.
Mesa Verde Hours
Mesa Verde Tickets
You can purchase Mesa Verde tickets at the Visitor & Research Center located near the park entrance off Highway 160. There’s also a great shop here with books, trail guides, maps and gifts. The standard ticket option allows entry to the park for the day and is valid for one week of your choosing, while the annual pass is good for a whole year. You can also buy passes online.
Mesa Verde Entry Passes| Ticket Type | Price (May – Late October) | Price (Late October – April) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Motorcycle Pass | $25 | $15 |
| Standard Per Person Pass | $15 | $15 |
| Standard Private Vehicle Pass | $30 | $20 |
| Annual Pass | $55 | |
| America The Beautiful Pass | included | |
Free Entry To Mesa Verde: On certain days of the year, entry fees to Mesa Verde National Park are waived. These include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January), the first day of National Park Week (April), Juneteenth (June 19), the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (August 4), National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday of September), and Veterans Day (November 11).
Mesa Verde Museum
If you are interested in learning more about Mesa Verde National Park or the ancient puebloans, visit Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum – one of the oldest buildings in the National Park Service. It’s 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.
Mesa Verde Museum
Mesa Verde Guided 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.
Mesa Verde Guided Tours
Driving 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.
Mesa Verde Lodging
Aside from staying in Durango or other nearby locations, Mesa Verde National Park also offers accommodations. Far View Lodge is located 15 miles from the Mesa Verde National Park entrance and is the only lodging located inside the park. Traditional Western decor and scenic views of the park fully immerse guests in the Mesa Verde lifestyle.
Far View Lodge
Camping in Mesa Verde
You can also enjoy scenic overnight views of the park by staying at Morefield Campground, just four miles from the park entrance. Nature and wildlife are found all over the grassy canyon, allowing for an up close and personal experience in the park. Camp sites are located along the Zuni Loop, which grants easy access to hiking trails.
Camping in Mesa Verde
Food & Dining
Dining inside Mesa Verde National Park will satisfy your appetite for food and stunning views. Spruce Tree Cafe, the Metate Room, Far View Terrace Cafe, and Far View Lounge are all located inside the park, making for easy access alongside beautiful scenery. Whether you’re looking for a casual food-court style lunch or a more upscale dinner experience, each dining location in the park offers something a bit different.