Winter Activities

What to Expect in Winter

With elevations from 7,000 to 8,500 feet (2134 to 2590 m), snow is possible anytime from October thru May. Temperatures may be in the teens even when it is a sunny day. Visitor services are limited in the winter months, so be prepared with water, snacks, and layers of warm clothing. Check the weather forecast for the Mesa Verde area. Prepare your vehicle for winter travel and find more ways to visit the park during winter. 

 

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Mesa Verde can be a very peaceful experience. Because most of the trees are bare, wildlife is more visible in the winter. You may even be able to find their tracks in the snow. Many times you are the only person around.

Groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails will be available once there is an appreciable amount of snow and the park has begun to groom the trails. . See the trails section below for details on where to ski, snowshoe, and hike.

• Pets are not allowed on the trails.
• Bring adequate gear, food and water.
• Do not walk on ski trails.
• Park rules and regulations apply to winter activities.

Free snowshoe rentals are available at the visitor center before noon each day.

• Adult and child sizes are available.
• Snowshoes must be returned to the visitor center by 3:30 pm.
• Snowshoers must travel on designated snowshoe trails, or fresh snow (ungroomed surface).
• If a groomed trail is designated as mixed use (snowshoe and ski), snowshoers must travel at the edge of the trail opposite the classic ski tracks.

 

Winter Trail Conditions Update

When snow accumulates, trails are groomed for skate skiing, classic skiing, and snowshoeing as snow and ranger schedules permit.

Date: 12/26/2024, There is some snow on the ground but not enough to open trails for skiing or snowshoeing. This will be updated as sufficient snow accumulates and trails are ready for winter activity.

 

Winter Trails – Chapin Mesa
(map coming soon)

Chapin Mesa trails are located a 45 minute to an hour drive from the park entrance.

Petroglyph Point Trail

Uses: Open to hikers. Snowshoes may be used on the upper portion of the trail but are not recommended on the lower portion due to steep terrain.
Winter Conditions: Trail can be snowy, muddy, and/or icy. Traction devices are recommended.
Trail access description:
This trail is located near the Museum. The 2.4-mile (3.9 km) trail leads to a panel of petroglyphs. This trail starts just behind the museum on the paved path to Spruce Tree House. The summer Petroglyph Point Trail page has more information about this trail.

Spruce Canyon Trail

Uses: Open to hikers and snowshoers.
Winter Conditions: Trail can be snowy, muddy, and/or icy. Traction devices are recommended.
Trail access description:
This trail is located near the Museum. This trail starts just behind the museum on the paved path to Spruce Tree House. The 2.4-mile (3.9 km) trail leads hikers down switchbacks and deep into Spruce Canyon. The summer Spruce Canyon Trail page has more information about this trail.

Chapin Mesa Rim Trail

Uses: Open to hikers and snowshoers.
Winter Conditions: Trail can be snowy, muddy, and/or icy. Traction devices are recommended.
Trail access description: This trail is located near the Museum. The path leaves from the museum and goes along the canyon rim with views of Spruce Canyon. The trail includes a stop at the historic Chapin Mesa amphitheater before it exits at the Spruce Canyon Trail and returns to the museum. Total distance is 1.5 miles if only walking from the museum to the exit of Spruce Canyon Trail and back.

Cliff Palace Loop Trail
As of Nov 1, 2024 closed to all pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Uses: Open to cross country skiers and snowshoers. Sign in at the Trail Register.
Winter Conditions: This trail will be available once there is an appreciable amount of snow and the park has begun to groom for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Trail access and description: Park at the north end of the Chapin Mesa Museum parking lot. Follow the connector trail to the Mesa Top Road and Cliff Palace Road intersection. Cross the Mesa Top Road and follow the Cliff Palace Loop road which will eventually loop back to the Mesa Top Road and Cliff Palace Road intersection. Lastly follow the connector trail back to the museum parking lot. Due to its distance this trail is rated as moderate but the terrain is relatively flat. Numerous cliff dwelling viewpoints are available along the way. Total roundtrip distance is 6.5 miles.

Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
As of Nov 1, 2024 closed to all pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Uses: Open to cross country skiers and snowshoers. Sign in at the Trail Register.
Winter Conditions: This ungroomed trail is accessible via the groomed Cliff Palace Loop and will be available once there is an appreciable amount of snow and the park has begun to groom for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Trail access and description: Park at the north end of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum parking lot. Follow the connector trail to the Mesa Top Road and Cliff Palace Road intersection. Cross the Mesa Top Road and follow the groomed Cliff Palace Loop trail to a Y-intersection. Take the left (east) fork 0.3 miles south to the Soda Canyon Overlook Trailhead and follow the ungroomed Soda Canyon Overlook trail 0.75 miles to the overlook. Groomed trail from parking lot to trailhead is 1.75 miles. Ungroomed trail is 0.75 mile round trip. Total distance, round trip is about 5 miles. Due to the distance this trail is rated as moderate.

 

Winter Trails – Morefield Campground
(map coming soon)

Trail access and description: Park at the Morefield Campground Store for access to the following trails. The groomed trails begin between the store and the laundromat, look for the trailhead register. They will be groomed for classic and skate skiing as conditions allow.

Snowshoers please walk on the outside edge of the groomed trail, or in the ungroomed snow. Stay out of ski tracks and the middle skate track. No hikers (without snowshoes) allowed on groomed trails.

Multi-Use Campground Loop

Uses: Open to cross country skiers and snowshoers. No walkers. Sign in at the Trail Register.
Winter Conditions: This trail will be available once there is an appreciable amount of snow and the park has begun to groom for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Trail access and description: This trail follows the established campground road loops for a total distance of 2.5 miles. Due to length and a number of short hills this trail is rated as moderate.

Prater Ridge Trail

Uses: Open to snowshoers or hikers. Snowshoes required when Morefield loops are groomed. Sign in at the Trail Register.
Winter Conditions: Trail can be snowy, muddy, and/or icy. Snowshoes or traction devices are recommended.
Trail access and description: Follow the snowshoe trail to the Prater Ridge Trailhead. This trail ascends steeply for the first mile until the top of the mesa is reached. On top follow a large loop and return to the mile long decent. Due to distance and elevation gain this trail is rated as difficult. Total roundtrip distance from winter parking is 8.3 miles.

Knife Edge Trail

Uses: Open to snowshoers or hikers. Snowshoes required when Morefield loops are groomed. Sign in at the Trail Register.
Winter Conditions: Trail can be snowy, muddy, and/or icy. Snowshoes or traction devices are recommended.
Trail access and description: Follow the snowshoe trail to the Knife Edge Trailhead. This trail is rated as easy and offers great views of the valley below. Total roundtrip distance from winter parking area is 3.8 miles.

Point Lookout Trail

Uses: Open to snowshoers or hikers. Snowshoes required when Morefield loops are groomed. Sign in at the Trail Register.
Winter Conditions: Trail can be snowy, muddy, and/or icy. Snowshoes or traction devices are recommended.
Trail access and description: From the campground store parking lot, follow the snowshoe trail north to the Lookout Point Trailhead. From there the trail ascends steeply to the top of the mesa. The trail continues along the mesa top until it reaches an excellent view of the La Plata Mountains. Due to the elevation gain this trail is rated as difficult. Total roundtrip distance from winter parking area is 3.7 miles.