Long House
Mesa Verde National Park Tours
(This tour will be available in 2021. Reservations will be accepted starting Saturday, May 15, 2021). Reservations will only be accepted 2 weeks in advance for all tour dates.
A tour of Long House is one of the most in-depth in the park. Located on Wetherill Mesa, Long House tours offer visitors an opportunity to enjoy the quieter side of Mesa Verde. As the second largest cliff dwelling, Long House is both grand and intimate. Visitors will enjoy changing landscapes, picturesque views of distant canyons and mesas, and an active seep spring within the dwelling. For a virtual tour, go to https://go.nps.gov/LHvideo .
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- What to Expect
Long House is the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park, with about 150 rooms and 21 kivas. The dwelling includes a large dance plaza resembling ceremonial plazas used in modern Pueblo villages today. About 100 to 150 people may have lived in Long House during the mid-thirteenth century.
This 60-minute*, ranger-assisted tour involves hiking 2.25 miles (3.6km) roundtrip with an elevation gain of about 130 feet (40m) and climbing two 15-foot (4.5m) ladders within the site.
The tour begins and ends at the Long House trailhead which is a 20-minute, 0.75-mile (1.2km) hike from the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk.** Plan accordingly to reach the trailhead in time for your scheduled tour.
* Allow 1-1/2 to 2 hours for the entire Long House experience (the total time for the tour and the walk between the kiosk and the Long House trailhead).
** The Wetherill Mesa Kiosk is a 12-mile (19km) drive along the Wetherill Mesa Road (begins near mile marker 15). Allow 1-1/4 hours to drive to the kiosk from the Visitor and Research Center. Vehicles over 25-feet (8m) long are prohibited on this road.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and bring a minimum of 1/2 gallon (2 liters) of water per person.
- Safety Information
Consider your physical health before joining a hike, especially if you have heart or respiratory problems, or other physical difficulties. Elevations range between 7,000 and 7,500 feet (2134 m and 2286 m) above sea level. You should plan for all weather possibilities because weather conditions are quite variable. It's possible to begin your hike in full sun and end with a thunderstorm or snowstorm.
There are no height or age restrictions for this tour, but children must be able to walk the extent of the trail and climb ladders on their own without difficulty. If not, they must be placed in a carrier.
Cameras are welcome, but you must be able to carry all of your gear while keeping your hands free to climb the ladders. No tripods are allowed.
- Tour Directions
From the park entrance, drive 15.1 miles (24.3 km) to the turn-off for Wetherill Mesa – Long House (on your right, between the Far View Lodge and Far View Terrace). Turn right. Drive 12 miles (19.3 km) to reach the Wetherill Mesa parking lot. Meet ranger at the information kiosk.
Be aware: Vehicles over 25-feet (8 m) long are not allowed on the Wetherill Mesa Road.
To make sure you arrive on time, allow at least 1.5 hours to drive to the Wetherill Mesa parking lot from the park entrance. We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the tour is scheduled to start.
- Tour Dates
May 29 to October 23, 2021 -- 9:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, every 1/2 hour.
- Ticket Price
Price: $8.00 per person, ages 3 and up. You MUST physically print your tour tickets from home or download it to your phone to show the ranger before joining the tour. You will NOT be able to join the tour without a valid tour ticket presented.
- Tour Capacity
Tour is limited to 25 people
