Things To Do

Talking with a ranger about the history of pottery and examining sherds are great opportunities for youth and adults.

NPS

Ways to Visit Ancestral Sites

There are multiple ways to explore and experience the sites, people, and stories of this sacred ancestral place.

• self guided tours driving and walking
• cliff dwelling tours reservations required except at Step House
• Mesa Verde Museum, and Visitor and Research Center
• podcasts and videos
• Four Corners Lecture Series

Some trails also have printed guides with additional information about the sites and archeological efforts. Attend a daily Spruce Tree House Ranger talk. Information available at the museum.

Check the calendar for special events and cultural demonstrations.

 

Finding Your Groove

Besides visiting the sites, there are many other ways to explore the park. Click on one of the links or images below for more opportunities to experience the diverse ecosystems of this landscape. Most activities are available once winter is no longer a threat, but it is important to check with rangers when you arrive.

• Attend an Evening Program: Join a ranger to learn more about Mesa Verde in summer evening programs at the Morefield Campground Amphitheater.

• Geology is the foundation of our environment. It is where animals survive. It is where the ancestors built homes and grew crops. What are the layers and when did the canyons form? Find out where to visit to see this foundation.

• Photography Get tips and hints on when, where, and how to get great photos of cliff dwellings

 

Hike Mesa Verde

Learn more about hiking in Mesa Verde National Park.

Birding

Native birds, migrators, and those common to the desert are found in the diverse landscape of the park. Get to know where and when to look.

Stargaze

Mesa Verde is certified as the 100th International Dark Sky Park. Join a ranger program, or stargaze on your own.

Visiting Wetherill Mesa

Formerly home to families, farms, villages and cliff dwellings. Today, it offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and exploring the sites.

Winter Activities

Once the snow builds up, so does the winter excitement for skiing and snowshoeing. Click for information and current trail conditions.

Junior Ranger Activities

Pick up a booklet at the Visitor & Research Center or entrance station and complete the activities to earn a Junior Ranger badge.