Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center

 

Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center

Located at the park entrance, off Highway 160, this is the park’s primary facility for orienting visitors to opportunities within the park and surrounding area. Accessible exhibits explore the richness of Ancestral Pueblo culture and daily life. The Mesa Verde Museum Association Park Store offers books, trail guides, maps, and other items that you may find useful during or after your visit, and free Wi-Fi. Restrooms are located near the entrance to the visitor center.

Addresses

Physical Address

34840 Hwy 160
Mancos, CO 81328

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 8
Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330

Directions

The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is near the park entrance, located just off Highway 160 between the towns of Mancos and Cortez, and about 35 miles west of Durango, Colorado.

Hours & Seasons

• Every Day:8:30 AM–4:00 PM

Open daily 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, year-round except closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Holidays

2025–2026

New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	Closed
Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed
Holiday	Date	Hours

Amenities

• Accessible Rooms
• Assistive Listening Systems
• ATM/Cash Machine
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Benches/Seating
• Bicycle - Rack
• Braille
• Cellular Signal
• Fire Extinguisher
• First Aid Kit Available
• First Aid/Medical Care Available
• Gifts/Souvenirs/Books
• Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
• Information
• Information - Maps Available
• Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present
• Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board
• Internet/WiFi Available
• Junior Ranger Booklet Available
• Large Print
• Parking - Auto
• Parking - Bus/RV
• Picnic Table
• Restroom
• Restroom - Accessible
• Restroom - Family
• Scenic View/Photo Spot
• Tactile Exhibit
• Toilet - Flush
• Water - Bottle-Filling Station
• Wheelchair Accessible
• Wheelchairs Available

Contact Information

Email Address

Send this visitor center an email

Phone Numbers

• Voice phone number
  [phone]
• Fax number
  [phone]

Image Gallery

View of glass-fronted building with covered walkway and tall sculpture in front.

Rangers answer questions at the visitor center desk

A ranger talks with students in front of Ancestral Pueblo farming exhibit

A welcome exhibit shows samples of Ancestral pottery.

Visitor shops in the park store.

Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center's Welcome Plaza
NPS Photo

Park Rangers are ready to answer questions and orientate visitors to the park.
NPS/photo

Students listen to a ranger talk about mesa top living.
NPS Photo

The Visitor and Research Center is a place for visitors to get oriented to the park but is also a home for over three million objects in its research collection.
NPS Photo

Mesa Verde Association is a non-profit partoner with the National Park Service. It supports many Mesa Verde park activities, research and publications from visitor purchases.
NPS Photo/J Rabb