Itinerary Suggestions





NPS Visitor Guides

April 8 – May 24
May 25 – Oct 20

The major attractions at Mesa Verde are an hours drive into the park from the Visitor Center. We strongly encourage visitors to plan on a full day at the park to leisurely explore the popular areas and go on a Ranger Guided Tour.

Guided Mesa Verde National Park Tour Itinerary

Shuttle from Durango to Mesa Verde
Visitor & Research Center
Ranger-Guided Tour
Spruce Tree House & Museum Option
Deli Lunch Picnic
Ranger-Guided Tour
Petroglyph Point Trail Hike Option
Mesa Top Loop Option

This tour and itinerary will be customized to the group on the trip and led by our professional park experts. Private Park Tours are also available for an inclusive, completely customized, door-to-door, worry free experience.

Full Day Itinerary

Visitor & Research Center
Spruce Tree House
Ranger-Guided Tour
Lunch
Archaeological Museum
Mesa Top Loop

Half Day Itinerary

Visitor Center to buy tickets for a Ranger Guided Tour
Explore Chapin Mesa
Ranger Guided Tour (recommend either Cliff Palace or Balcony House)
Archaeological Museum

Multi-Day Itinerary

Day One:
Visitor & Research Center
Spruce Tree House
Ranger-Guided Tour
Lunch
Archaeological Museum
Mesa Top Loop
Day Two:
Explore Wethermill Mesa
Step House Self-Guided Tour
Long House Ranger-Guided Tour
Kodak House Overlook
For more information on multi-day Mesa Verde trips see Staying Overnight and Camping & Lodging

Mesa Verde Information

  • Special Tours for Photographers
    Special Tours for Photographers
    Mesa Verde Park Staff is offering two special tours for Summer 2017! There will be four special sunrise tours of Balcony House and Twilight Tours of Cliff Palace everyday May 26 – Sept 9. These tours will offer a unique oppoerunity to capture these spectacular cliff...
  • Petroglyph Point Trail Hike
    Petroglyph Point Trail Hike
    The Petroglyph Point Trail is a lovely excursion for the active bunch to do while visiting Mesa Verde. The 2.4 mile trail is a good activity to do during the heat of the day. The majority of the trail and most strenuous part is shaded, ending...
  • Step House on Wetherill Mesa
    Step House on Wetherill Mesa
    This self-guided tour of Step House on Wetherill Mesa is quick and accessible from the trail, 3/4 mile in length that loops the dwelling. We recommend doing this either at the beginning or end of the day due to the high sun exposure of the trail...

Park Alerts

  • Spruce Tree House Temporarily Closed
    Spruce Tree House Temporarily Closed
    Spruce Tree House, an iconic self-guided cliff dwelling in the heart of Chapin Mesa, is unfortunately CLOSED for the unforeseeable future due to concerns about rock fall. It can still be viewed from the Museum overlook....
Itineraries July 28, 2014