Mesa Verde Winter Activities
Mesa Verde winter activities are a great way to experience this incredible place from a different perspective. From cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to winter hikes or a driving tour, you'll have a blast experiencing the miraculous 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history that the national park has to offer.
Mesa Verde Winter Activities
When the snow begins to fall heavy the cliff dwelling tours come to an end for the season, but there are several overlooks where you can view the ancient structures. We also recommend a visit to the museum where you can learn about how the Ancient Pueblo people survived these winters in the cliffs; you can even see a turkey feather boot from long ago.
Mesa Verde ActivitiesCross Country Skiing
One of our favorite Mesa Verde winter activities is Nordic or and cross-country skiing. Once there is plenty of snow in the park, groomers will prepare the trails for visitors to enjoy. A popular option to explore is the 4.1 mile Morefield Campground Trail, which follows the campground's road loops through a series of short hills.
Morefield TrailsSnowshoeing
Another of the most popular Mesa Verde winter activities is snowshoeing. This is a great choice if you don't have any experience with winter sports yet; if you can walk, you can snowshoe! Snowshoeing in Mesa Verde is much more versatile than cross country skiing because you can make the trip no matter how much snow covers the trail.
More Winter ActivitiesCliff Palace Loop Road
The Cliff Palace loop road closes to all motor vehicles starting December 1 or with the first significant snow fall of the season. Before your visit be sure to check the National Park website to find out road conditions. When the road is closed, however, you can still enjoy it on skis, in snowshoes, or just winter hiking boots.
Cliff PalaceKeep browsing our site for more things to do in Durango and plan your Colorado winter vacation. Looking to try something a little different? Be sure to check out 10 winter activities that aren't skiing.