Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is best known for its remarkable archaeological sites that showcase the ancient civilization of the Ancestral Puebloans. Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde preserves and protects over 5,000 archaeological sites, including nearly 600 remarkably well-preserved cliff dwellings. These dwellings, built between the 6th and 12th centuries, are carved into the cliffsides and offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Pueblo people.
The park is renowned for its iconic structures such as Cliff Palace, the largest and most famous cliff dwelling, as well as Spruce Tree House and Balcony House. These ancient structures provide insights into the complex and sophisticated lives of the Ancestral Puebloans, including their architecture, agriculture, and artistic expression. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mesa Verde National Park stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the early Native American civilizations and offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate this remarkable archaeological treasure.
VISIT Mesa Verde National Park:
Park Details
Mesa Verde National Park was established in .
| Address | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 970-529-4465 |
| Hours | Open year round |
| Entrance Fee | $20 per vehicle, valid for 7 days |
When to Visit: Weather vs. Peak Visitation
We crunched 30 years of historical weather and/or park service data to find the best months to visit Mesa Verde National Park. We looked for the optimal temperatures, the least amount of snow and rain, and stayed away from peak visitation months if we could help it. All this data then helped us paint a picture as to what the absolute best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is.
Our data shows the best months to visit Mesa Verde National Park are May, June, August & July.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Visits | 7,038 | 6,331 | 15,533 | 27,916 | 60,106 | 111,115 | 108,828 | 78,743 | 64,533 | 43,012 | 16,850 | 8,472 |
| Precipitation | 53 | 52 | 48 | 46 | 30 | 16 | 34 | 38 | 46 | 47 | 47 | 54 |
| Avg Temp | 35 | 37 | 45 | 55 | 66 | 77 | 81 | 78 | 71 | 59 | 46 | 36 |
| Max Temp | 45 | 47 | 57 | 67 | 77 | 85 | 88 | 85 | 80 | 71 | 59 | 48 |
| Avg Temp | 20 | 22 | 27 | 34 | 44 | 52 | 57 | 56 | 49 | 40 | 29 | 22 |
| Min Temp | 1 | 4 | 7 | 21 | 29 | 37 | 47 | 47 | 33 | 22 | 10 | 1 |
Mesa Verde National Park Road Trips
Many family vacations consist of stringing one or more national parks together during a week-long trip. Creating these types of trips is our specialty! Here are the road trips we've created where Mesa Verde National Park is visited.
| Trip Name | Trip Miles | Trip Days |
|---|---|---|
| Rockies, Colorado Monument, Black Canyon & Mesa Verde | 636 | 8 |
| Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Arches & Canyonlands | 792 | 7 |
| Continental Divide National Historic Trail RV Road Trip | 2,315 | 14 |
| Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon to Rocky Mountains | 1,005 | 12 |
Other Nearby National Park Sites
From national monuments, to historic sites to seashores and more, here are the other parks closest to Mesa Verde National Park.