Spring House

Mesa Verde National Park Tours

(This tour will be offered in 2021. Reservations will be accepted starting Sunday, May 9, 2021.) Reservations will only be accepted 2 weeks in adavance for all tour dates.

Spring House is the largest unexcavated cliff dwelling in the park with 86 rooms and seven kivas. It is extremely fragile so you will not enter the site, but get excellent views of it from a platform at the south end of the village. On the way to Spring House, hikers will pass through a diverse landscape of both mesa tops and canyon bottoms and be rewarded with views of other alcove sites.  

Spring House is undergoing stabilization work in 2020, so you may also have an opportunity to see archeologists and preservationists at work in the site.

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

• What to Expect

  This 8-hour, 8-mile (12.9 km) round-trip hike is very strenuous. Expect an unpaved, uneven trail with an elevation change of 1,500 feet, steep drop-offs, one short ladder, and switchbacks. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots; bring your own lunch, snacks, and a minimum of one gallon (4 liters) of water per person. Shade is very limited, so bring a hat and sunscreen. 

  Pack it In, Pack it Out: You will be expected to pack out everything, including all trash such as food wrappers, apple cores, fruit peels, etc. Also be prepared to pack out human waste, toilet paper, and hygiene products. 

• Safety Information

  Consider your physical health before joining a hike. Hiking is not recommended for those with heart or respiratory problems, or other physical difficulties. Elevations range between 7,000 and 7,500 feet (2134m and 2286m) above sea level. Weather conditions are quite variable. It's possible to begin your hike in full sun and end with a thunderstorm. Plan for all weather conditions. Bring a minimum of one gallon (4 liters) of water per person. 

  This hike is appropriate for well-prepared hikers, but may not be appropriate for young children. Children must be able to walk the extent of the trail on their own without difficulty.  

• Tour Directions

  Tour begins at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. From the park entrance, drive 20 miles (32 km) to the all-way stop on Chapin Mesa. Turn right and drive about 3/4 mile (1.2 km) to the museum parking lot and meet the ranger at the Museum. Drive time to the Museum from the park entrance is approximately 45 minutes. Hikers depart the Museum promptly at 8:00 am. 

• Tour Dates

  May 23, May 30, September 5, and September 12, 2021 at 8:00 am. 

• Tour Capacity

  Tour is limited to 10 people

• Tour Price

  $40.00 per person, ages 3 and up.

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