Conditions and Alerts

Alerts

Caution

• Park Hours may Change due to Winter Storms

  Alert, Severity, caution, Park Hours may Change due to Winter StormsWinter storms and ice may cause opening delays or temporary closures allowing plows to safely clear the roads. Before visiting, check this page daily for up-to-date information. Colorado Traction Law may apply, see info below. Click link for weather more

Unless an alert is posted identifing a delayed opening or closure due to snow and ice, the main park road is always open.

 

Winter Weather and Driving

• When weather conditions warrant, the Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws are active. Know the requirements before driving in Colorado and especially in the park. Find the laws at Passenger Vehicle Traction & Chain Laws — Colorado Department of Transportation. 
• Just because a road is plowed does not mean that all vehicles and drivers are equipped for it. Visit safely—research conditions, assess your vehicle, and plan ahead.
• Drive with caution. Give the roads crew plenty of time and space to clear the road of snow.

 

Winter Closures

The following areas are closed throughout winter. Pedestrian traffic is not permitted—including all forms of winter sport, hiking, and bicyling. Areas will reopen in the spring as weather, safety, and ground conditions permit.

• Wetherill Mesa
• Far View Sites and Trail (NEW in 2025 sites are not open to winter sport)
• Park Point
• Cedar Tree Tower

Go to Visiting in Winter for how to plan your activities.

Lodging, Camping, Eating

• Far View Lodge, the only lodging within Mesa Verde National Park, is closed for the winter season. Please look for accomodations in the gateway communities of Mancos, CO, and Cortez, CO.
• Morefield Campground is closed for camping during winter. It will reopen in April 2025. There is no overnight camping anywhere in the park. Winter camping is very limited in the area.
• During winter, the only food service in the park is at Spruce Tree Terrace. It is open 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Convenient cafeteria service near Mesa Verde park headquarters and the Museum.

 

Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House has been closed to visitors since 2015, due to a danger of rock fall. Visitors can view Spruce Tree House from overlooks behind the Mesa Verde Museum in the Park Headquarters area. The National Park Service is working on a project to stabilize the arch so that the site may be reopened. More information about the closure is found on the Spruce Tree House Closure page.