Mesa Verde Tours

Are Self-Guided Tours Available?

Self-Guided Tours at Mesa Verde are also available. You can explore at your own speed and only visit the things you really want to see. Chapin Mesa self-guided tours include Spruce Tree House, Mesa Top Loop Road, Far View Sites Complex and Cedar Tree Tower. The Wetherill Mesa tours include Step House and Badger House Trail which are only open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Where Can I Explore Mesa Verde On My Own?

Mesa Top Load Road. A 6-mile driving tour with short, paved trails. Twelve easily-accessible sites, including surface dwellings and cliff dwelling overlooks. Highlights include Sun Point Overlook, Square Tower House, and views of Cliff Palace from Sun Point and Sun Temple stops. Overlooks also found on the 6-mile Cliff Palace Loop Road.

Far View Sites Complex. Far View House plus four other villages and a dry reservoir on a level 3/4-mile unpaved trail. Four miles north of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Open 8:00 a.m. to sunset.

Cedar Tree Tower. Mesa Top Tower and Kiva. Ancestral Puebloan tower and kiva complex can be viewed from the road. Open 8:00 a.m. to sunset.

Step House. Pithouse, Petroglyphs and Cliff Dwelling. A 100ft descent and ascent on a winding path. Total walking distance, 3/4-mile round-trip. Allow 45 minutes to one hour. Trail begins near the Wetherill Mesa kiosk.

Badger House Trail. Trail to four mesa top sites. The 2.5 mile trail to Badger House Community surface sites begins at Wetherill Mesa Kiosk. Combination gravel and paved trail. If you prefer, take the tram to or from the Badger House tram stop and shorten the trail to 1.5 miles.

Why Choose Durango Rivertrippers?

As one of Durango's very first rafting and outdoor adventure companies and more than 35 years of experience, we prioritize safety and fun. Our untarnished safety record will ensure that you and your family and friends enjoy a memorable adventure in Southwest Colorado.