Long House

Mesa Verde National Park Tours

Long House tours are anticipated to start on May 22, 2026.

Located on Wetherill Mesa, Long House tours offer visitors an opportunity to enjoy the quieter side of Mesa Verde. As Mesa Verde's second largest cliff dwelling, Long House feels both grand and intimate. Visitors will enjoy picturesque views of distant canyons and mesas, seeing an active seep spring within the dwelling, and visiting the homes of over a hundred people. Visit the park website for a virtual tour of Long House .

NOTE: All Ranger-Led tours will require reservations through the Recreation.gov website or toll free number 1-877-444-6777. Reservations are available 14 days in advance, beginning at 8:00 am MDT and fill up early. However, if someone cancels their reservation these tickets become available and can be purchased only at recreation.gov up to two hours before a tour.

Reserving a tour is much easier if you create a recreation.gov account in advance. Go to recreation.gov and select the "Sign Up/Log In" tab in the upper right corner. For more information on the variety of tours offered in the upcoming season, please visit the Mesa Verde National Park Cliff Dwelling Tours page .

The tours starts at the Long House Trailhead, which is a 20 minute walk from the parking lot, located a 90 minute drive from the park entrance. Vehicles over 25 feet (8 m) long and 8,000 lbs. (3,628 kg) GVW are prohibited on this road. 

If you plan on booking a second tour on the same day, we highly suggest you give yourself at least 4 hours between the time you book this Long House tour and a Chapin Mesa tour. E.g., a 10:00 am Long House tour requires a 2:00 pm or later Cliff Palace tour.

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 plaza resembling ceremonial plazas used in modern Pueblo villages today. About 100 to 150 people may have lived in Long House during the mid 1200s. 

  This 90 minute, ranger-guided tour involves hiking 2.25 miles (3.6 km) roundtrip with an elevation loss/gain of about 130 feet (40 m), descending a steep staircase, following rough trail on switchbacks, and climbing two 15-foot (4.5 m) ladders within the site. Allow 115 minutes to 135 minutes for the entire Long House experience (the total time for the tour and the walk between the pavilion and the Long House trailhead).

  The tour begins and ends at the Long House trailhead which is a 20 minute, 0.75 mile (1.2 km) walk from the Wetherill Mesa parking lot. Plan accordingly to reach the trailhead in time for your scheduled tour. The Wetherill Mesa road is a 12-mile (19 km) drive to the Wetherill Mesa parking lot (begins near mile marker 15). Allow 1.5 hours to drive to the Wetherill Mesa parking lot from the park entrance. Vehicles over 25 feet (8 m) long and 8,000 lbs. (3,628 kg) GVW are prohibited on this road. 

  Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and bring a minimum of 2 quarts (2 liters) of water per person. Food, gum, tobacco, and sugary beverages are not permitted within the site during your tour.

  Ladders can be hot in direct sunlight. Gloves can be helpful for staying cool while climbing ladders at Long House.

• Safety Information

  Consider your physical health before joining a strenuous Long House tour, 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. Afternoons in Long House can be quite warm and sunny.

  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 and adults carrying them must be able to maintain mobility and balance while climbing ladders. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

  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 miles (24.1 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 the ranger at the Long House Trailhead which is a 20-minute, 0.75 mile (1.2 km) hike from the Wetherill Mesa parking lot. Plan accordingly to reach the trailhead in time for your scheduled tour.

  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. You MUST arrive at the Long House trailhead 15 minutes early for a safety and logistics briefing.

  Be aware: Vehicles over 25 feet (8 m) long and 8,000 lbs. (3,628 kg) GVW are prohibited on the Wetherill Mesa Road.

• Tour Dates

  May 22 - October 21: Daily at 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 1:45 pm.

  October 22: Closed for the season. No tours.

• Reservation Price

  Price: $8.00 per person, ages 3 and up. There is NO cell signal at the trailhead. You MUST physically print your tour reservations 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 reservation presented.Late arrivals may result in forfeiting your tour. No refunds for late arrivals.

• Tour Capacity

  Tour is limited to 30 people.

• GPS Coordinates

  Latitude: 37.187222

  Longitude: -108.537944

Photo Gallery