Winter at Mesa Verde

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Mesa Verde National Park. Although cliff dwelling tours are over for the season, many cliff dwellings can be viewed from overlooks. Step back in time and drive the Mesa Top Loop Road to explore 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history; gain a Pueblo perspective of Mesa Verde from a direct descendant of the people who lived here; and view Spruce Tree House surrounded by winter snow.

 

Be Prepared for Winter Weather Road Conditions

Note: With elevations from 7,000 to 8,500 feet (2134 to 2590 m), snow is always possible during the winter months. All activities depend on road, trail, and weather conditions. Please check the weather forecast for the Mesa Verde area before you arrive and check with a park ranger at the entrance gate when you arrive for current road and trail conditions.

 

 

Winter Logistics

All activities depend on road, trail, and weather conditions. Activities during this time are self-guided, so planning ahead is especially important. We recommend good hiking boots or snow boots, warm layered clothing, a hat, gloves, snacks, sunglasses, and water. If you're planning on hiking any of the hiking trails, traction devices are recommended whenever snowy or icy conditions exist. Food service is available at the Spruce Tree Terrace Café – for hours please go to the Aramark website. There is no overnight camping or lodging in the park, but accommodations are available in nearby communities.

 

 

Winter Trail Conditions Update

Trails are groomed for skate skiing, classic skiing, and snowshoeing as snow and ranger schedules permit.

Date: 3/25/2024

• As temperatures warm, Morefield is mixed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at best. Even with this week's excellent storm, rapid snowmelt is expected as the front passes and highs hit the mid- to high-50s later this week.
• With lots of snowmelt and some cold temperatures at night, portions are icy and slick and many plants are poking through.
• Trails were last groomed in late February/early March. There will be no more trail grooming this season.
• As a reminder, hikers without snowshoes or skiis must keep to designated areas to avoid damaging the trail, and dogs are not permitted on the snowtracks. We appreciate your observance!
• Meadow Bliss trail between the campground and the tunnel is not groomed and is not in skiable condition.

For additional questions about winter hiking, skiing and snowshoeing please contact

• Mesa Verde National Park (Daily, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm) 970-529-4465
• Mesa Verde Museum (Daily, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm) 970-529-4631
• Visitor Center (Daily, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm) 970-529-5037

For current weather forecasts please visit the National Weather Service.


Printable Maps

• Morefield Trail System

• Chapin Mesa Trails

 

 

Opportunities to Explore On Your Own

*It is a 45- to 60-minute drive from the park entrance to these sites.

Mesa Top Loop Road

The Mesa Top Loop Road is a 6-mile (10 km) drive through 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history. Along the road, you’ll find short, easily-accessible paved trails to archeological sites and views of cliff dwellings such as Cliff Palace from the Sun Temple stop. During snow storms, the loop may briefly close until the road and walkways are cleared. Open daily 8:00 am to sunset.

A trail guide is available. You can also download the audio tour, Mesa Top Loop Drive: A Pueblo Perspective and listen along in your car or on your phone.

Spruce Tree House Overlook

Spruce Tree House is the park’s third largest and best-preserved cliff dwelling. Constructed between 1211 and 1278, it was built into a natural alcove. It contains 130 rooms, eight kivas, and may have housed 60 to 80 people.

You can observe Spruce Tree House from points near the Chapin Mesa Museum. The trail to the lower viewpoint is short but steep, and can be icy.

Far View Sites Community

Far View Sites includes Far View House plus four other villages and a dry reservoir. Four miles (6.4 km) north of the Museum, this 3/4-mile (1.2 km) trail follows the unplowed road to and around the various mesa top archaeological sites. This meandering trail is rated easy. In winter conditions, this trail can be snowy, muddy, and/or icy and snowshoes may be necessary. Limited parking is available just outside the Far View Sites gate. Open 8:00 am to sunset.

 

 

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Mesa Verde can be a very peaceful experience. Many times you may be the only person around. 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.

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. The following trails are available. See below for trail details.

• Chapin Mesa – Cliff Palace Loop CLOSED UNTIL TRAIL IS GROOMED
• Morefield Campground – Multi-use Campground Loop, Skier-only Campground Loops, Meadow Bliss Trail OPEN

Pets are not allowed on the trails. Pedestrian traffic is not allowed on the groomed trails; see below for places to enjoy a nice walk.

When engaging in winter recreational activities follow these safety guidelines to ensure a great experience:

• Bring adequate gear, food and water..
• Stay on marked trails so you do not get lost.
• Do not walk on ski trails.
• Please leave your pets at home.
• Follow all other park rules and regulations.
• For emergencies, please call 911. For non-emergency situations you may contact the Chief Ranger's Office, 970-529-4461, 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Be aware that cell coverage is very spotty throughout the park.

Free snowshoe rentals are available at the visitor center and at the museum.

• Adult and child sizes are available.
• Snowshoes must be returned to the Visitor Center by 3:30 pm.
• Snowshoes must be returned to the Museum by 2:30 pm.

Snowshoe etiquette

• 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.
• Classic ski tracks are set to the edge of the groomed trail and will have two parallel tracks about 8 inches apart running parallel with the groomed trail.
• Walking without snowshoes is not permitted on any groomed trails.

 

 

Winter Trails – Chapin Mesa (map)

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

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

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)

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. Snowshoeing only permitted on the Multi-Use Campground loop. 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.

Ski-only Campground Trails

Uses: Open to cross country skiers only. No snowshoers or walkers. Sign in at the Trail Register.
Winter Conditions: These trails will be available once there is an appreciable amount of snow and the park has begun to groom for cross-country skiing.
Trail access and description: From the Multi-use Campground Loop, follow the inner loops of the campground for an additional 2.3 miles.

Meadow Bliss Trail

Uses: Open to cross country skiers only. No snowshoers or 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 winds through the meadows just south of the campground. Due to a few steep hills and the distance this trail is rated as moderate. Total distance is 3 miles.

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.