Q. When is the park open?
A. Mesa Verde National Park is open year round. The Operating Hours & Seasons page gives you more detailed seasonal information and park schedules.
Q. Where can I see a cliff dwelling?
A. Once you enter the park, your first view of a cliff dwelling is 21 miles (34 km) or approximately 45 minutes, along a steep, narrow, winding mountain road. Depending on weather, traffic, and road construction, plan at least two hours just to drive into and out of the park. The drive is scenic with a number pull-offs and overlooks that provide spectacular views into four states.
Q. May I go into a cliff dwelling?
A. You may visit a cliff dwelling on a ranger-guided tour. Tours are offered seasonally, mid-May to late-October. All tours require a reservation, which can be purchased online at recreation.gov. For more information, visit Cliff Dwelling Tours.
Q. Are young children allowed on cliff dwelling tours?
A. There are no age or height restrictions for tours, but children and adults MUST be capable of walking the extent of steep trails, climbing wood ladders, and negotiating steps independently. All infants must be carried in backpacks while on tours and adults carrying children in backpacks must be able to maintain mobility and balance. To learn about the challenges and physical nature of the tours BEFORE you you make a reservation visit the cliff dwelling web page.
Q. When is Wetherill Mesa open?
A. (Closed 2024) Wetherill Mesa, is open from mid-May through the end of October. It has two seasonal operations, spring/fall and summer. There are no services in the spring and fall, but the trails are open for hiking and bicycling. In the summer, Wetherill Mesa is fully staffed. Step House is open for self-guided tours and Long House is open for ranger-guided tours. CAUTION: The 12-mile (19 km) Wetherill Mesa Road is not suitable for large RVs or bicycles. Vehicles must be less than 25 feet (7.6 m) long and 8,000 lbs GVW.
For more information about visiting Wetherill Mesa, please see the Wetherill Mesa Visitor Guide.
Q. Does the campground take reservations?
A. Reservations are accepted for camp sites. Morefield Campground is located inside the park and operated by .
Q. What lodging is available in the area?
A. Far View Lodge, located inside the park and operated by , has rooms available from mid-April through mid-October. For further information and/or reservations for the lodge can be made by calling (800) 449-2288 or (970) 529-4421. Lodging is also widely available through the Cortez, Mancos, Dolores, and Durango areas. Click on the Mesa Verde Country® website for more information.
Q. What dining facilities are available in the park?
A. The Where To Eat webpage lists the seven eating establishments in the park. Spruce Tree Terrace, across from the Mesa Verde Museum, is the only one open daily, year round (only closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Day.) All dining facilities are operated by the park's concessions. For hours of operations, menus, and photos visit the website.
Q. Are pets allowed in the park?
A. Leashed pets are allowed in parking lots and paved areas at Mesa Top Loop and Park Point. Pets are not allowed on trails, in ancestral sites, or in buildings. Pets should not be left unattended. Inquire at the campground store for dog boarding options. For complete information regarding visiting with a pet, go to the Pets webpage.
