Cliff Palace
Mesa Verde National Park Tours
Due to consruction Cliff Palace Loop is expected open mid to late July. Please check www.nps.gov/meve for the current status of all road conditions within the park. The Mesa Top Loop Road offers visitors the opportunity to explore 700 years of archeological history and provides views of Cliff Palace from Sun Temple.
When reservations open for Cliff Palace tickets will be available ONLY 7 days in advance, 8:00 am MDT, on a rolling daily window. This is due to road construction on the Cliff Palace Loop Rd. at this time.
"The crown jewel of Mesa Verde National Park and an architectural masterpiece by any standard, Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Built between 1190 and 1280 CE, Cliff Palace was once home to over 100 people.Today, it stands as a testament to the engineering and artistic achievements of the Ancestral Pueblo people. For a virtual tour of Cliff Palace, go to https://go.nps.gov/CPvideo ."
If you plan on booking a second tour on the same day, we highly suggest you give yourself at least:
- 2 hours between the time you book this Cliff Palace tour and a Balcony House tour (ie: 9:00 am CP and 11:00 pm BH).
- 3 hours between the time you book this Cliff Palace tour and a Long House tour (ie: 10:00 am CP and 1:00 pm or later LH).
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- What to Expect
On this 30-minute ranger-assisted tour, you will descend uneven stone steps and climb four ladders, with an elevation change of 100 feet (30 m). Total walking distance is 1/4 mile (0.4 km).
- 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 conditions are quite variable.
Masks are required while inside buildings and where social distancing cannot be maintained. Cliff dwellings and overlooks are considered high visitor use areas and are mask zones.
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 20 miles (32.2 km) to the all-way stop on Chapin Mesa. Turn left. Drive 0.4 miles (0.6 km) and turn left onto the Cliff Palace Loop. Drive 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the Cliff Palace parking lot.
To make sure you arrive on time, allow 1.5 hours to drive to the Cliff Palace parking lot from the park entrance. Meet the ranger at the overlook to Cliff Palace. You MUST arrive 15 minutes early for a safety and logistics briefing.
- Tour Dates
Mid to Late July-October 22, 2022 9:00 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 3:30 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.Late arrivals may result in forfeiting your tour. No refunds for late arrivals.
- Tour Capacity
Tour is limited to 40 people
