Places To Go

The 6-mile (10 km) Mesa Top Loop takes you through 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history. From remains of early pithouses and masonry villages to multi-storied cliff dwellings, archeological sites along this loop show how early Pueblo architecture evolved. Archeology and Pueblo oral histories shed light on what life may have been like for people who lived, worked, and raised families here for generations.

Cliff Palace Loop Road is a 6-mile (10-km) drive with overlooks of various cliff dwellings and access to ranger-guided tours at Cliff Palace and Balcony House.

The level, unpaved ¾-mile trail (1.2 km) leads you through a mesa top community includes Far View House, four other villages, and a dry reservoir. Long before and even after the famous cliff dwellings were built, this area was a well-established Ancestral Puebloan farming community supporting dozens of families. In ancient times, the community was a place of modest homes interspersed with small farm fields. It was a place filled with people, vibrant life, and constant change.

Beginning and ending on the spur road to Cedar Tree Tower, this 0.5-mile (0.8 km) loop trail leads through a series of check dams built by the Ancestral Pueblo people over 800 years ago.

Enjoy wonderful views of Spruce Tree House, the third largest and best preserved cliff dwelling in the park from across a narrow canyon.

Cliff Palace Overlook is a magnificent view point for Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the park. With at least 150 rooms and 21 kivas, Cliff Palace is an exceptionally large cliff dwelling and possibly an important gathering place as an administrative center with ceremonial use for many nearby Ancestral Pueblo villages.

House of Many Windows Overlook opens up to wide views of Cliff Canyon, and its many cliff dwellings tucked into the canyon walls.