NPS/Spencer Burke Accessibility LinksWhen you enter the park request an accessibility brochure from the entrance station, Visitor and Research Center, or the museum. Download the National Park Service App for accessible information. Service AnimalsService animals are allowed anywhere that you are allowed to go in Mesa Verde National Park including cliff dwelling tours. However, on tours with ladders, service animals must be carried in a pack or able to climb ladders on their own. Visitors must have both hands free for climbing ladders. Places in the ParkMesa Verde Visitor and Research CenterThe Visitor and Research Center is open year-round with accessible parking and road crossings, and a paved walkway. There are audio described, wheelchair accessible, and tactile exhibits. A braille park brochure is free at the ranger desk. Additional features include push button entry, ADA restrooms and drinking fountain, WiFi, and ask about wheelchair availability. Mesa Verde MuseumThe Mesa Verde Museum is 20 miles from the park entrance. Visitors can watch the 17-minute, captioned park film and request an assisted listening device. Wheelchairs are available to borrow. There are ramps throughout the museum where a selection of ancestral and modern-day cultural items are on display. With 24-hour advance request, pottery samples can be made available to touch. WiFi is provided by the Mesa Verde Association Park Store. Spruce Tree HouseSpruce Tree House is the best preserved and third-largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park. It is best viewed from the covered back porch (see top photo) of a historic building to the right of the Museum. A closer vantage point is from an overlook down a paved steep path. Morefield CampgroundSome camp sites are accessed by steps or are located on uneven terrain. There are several designated, accessible camp sites and comfort stations (with flush toilets) available along the Apache Loop. See Camping for more information. Far View LodgeThe Lodge has seven ADA rooms. There are no stairs in any of the Lodge Room buildings, a ramp from the parking lot to the Lodge entrance, and an elevator in the Lodge lobby for access to the upstairs lodge and the downstairs recreation room. RestaurantsAll of the restaurants in the park—the Far View Terrace, Spruce Tree Terrace, the Metate Room, and Far View Lounge—are fully accessible.
Overlooks Along the WayThere are four roadside stops with exhibits and views of the landscape where ancestral people traveled and lived.
Cliff Dwelling ToursRanger-led tours to Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and the backcountry site Square Tower House, require advance reservations. In some years throughout the season there may be additional tours offered at other sites. Cliff dwelling tours involve rough trails with steep dropoffs, uneven steps, and climbing ladders. Descriptions of the tours are found on the cliff dwelling webpage.Visit Recreation.gov to make a reservation. Please carefully read tour descriptions to ensure that your service animal is capable of accompanying you on tours that involve climbing ladders. On tours with ladders, service animals must be carried in a pack or able to climb ladders on their own. Visitors need to have both hands free for climbing ladders. American Sign Language interpreters are available for ancestral site tours upon request. Please make your reservation through recreation.gov then contact the park with a request for an ASL interpreter at least one week in advance of your tour reservation. For more accessibility information visit Accessibility - Mesa Verde National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Driving Tours and Self Guided SitesMesa Top Loop RoadMesa Top Loop is 6-miles (10 km) with 12 ancestral sites and viewpoints, and two stops with toilets. A printed guide is found at the first and last sites, and exhibits are at all stops. Excavated sites are protected with a roof. The accessibility brochure which is available from the entrance station, Visitor and Research Center, or the Museum offers brief descriptions of the access to each ancestral site. Cliff Palace LoopCliff Palace Loop Road is 6-miles (10 km) with viewpoints. Binoculars are helpful to see cliff dwellings across the canyons. Far ViewFar View is an ancient farming community where people lived from the CE 700s into the early 1200s. A ¾-mile (1.2 km) dirt trail, sometimes rutted, muddy, and uneven, passes by five villages and a reservoir. A supplemental, archeolgical, trail guide is found near the trailhead. Two sites may be seen from your vehicle. Cedar Tree TowerCedar Tree Tower is located less than 5 yards (4.6 m) from the parking area and can be viewed from your vehicle. In the same area is the 0.5 mile (0.8km) Farming Terrace Loop Trail. This is an opportunity to view an example of check dams built by Ancestal Pueblo farmers. Cliff Palace OverlookThe Cliff Palace Overlook is accessed by a paved trail and one flight of stairs. Cliff Palace can also be viewed from an accessile paved overlook at Sun Temple on the Mesa Top Loop. WETHERILL MESAWetherill Mesa is open seasonally for day use only. Many sites are accessible with assistance by paved and/or graveled trails. All Wetherill Mesa trails pass through areas that burned in the 2000 Pony Fire, where there is no shade. Be prepared for sun and weather exposure. Step HouseA steep, paved and graveled, 1-mile (1.6 km) round-trip trail to a cliff dwelling. Open seasonally and only when staffed with a ranger. Access for wheelchairs is via the exit trail only. Wide rim wheels are highly recommended. The steep trail does not meet legal grade requirements. Accessible with assistance. Badger House CommunityRelatively level area with a partially paved and graveled trail to a series of mesa-top ancestral homes. Round-trip distance is 2.25 miles (3.6 km). Accessible with assistance. Long House LoopThis paved road is available for hiking and biking and is accessible. The road loops around the top of Wetherill Mesa to the Badger House Community (2.5 miles/4 km roundtrip), Long House Overlook (3 miles/4.8 km roundtrip), and Kodak House Overlook (4.5 miles/7.2 km roundtrip). Accessible with assistance. Contact UsPlease contact us if you need additional information, have questions, or if you experience difficulty accessing the information on this webpage. Email us to assist with planning your visit. Interpretive Rangers Phone 970-529-4465 |
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Last updated: July 30, 2024