Cliff Palace

Mesa Verde National Park Tours

A tour of Cliff Palace is one of the most awe-inspiring in the park. As the largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, Cliff Palace is a testament to the ingenuity, industriousness, and imagination of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Original kivas, courtyards, and two-, three-, and four-story structures are readily visible on the Cliff Palace tour. For a virtual tour of Cliff Palace, go to https://go.nps.gov/CPvideo .  

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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: 10:00 am CP and 12:00 pm or later BH).
• 3 hours between the time you book this Cliff Palace tour and a Long House tour (ie: 9:00 am CP and 12:00 pm or later LH).

For more information on the minimum amount of time needed between tours, look for the booking advice link on https://go.nps.gov/mv_tourtickets.  

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

• What to Expect

  On this one-hour 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.

  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 at least one hour to drive to the Cliff Palace parking lot from the park entrance. Meet the ranger at the shade shelter, near the south side of the parking lot. We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the tour is scheduled to start.

• Tour Dates

  ●April 12 to May 22, 2020 -- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; every hour

  ●May 23 to September 6, 2020 -- 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; every 1/2 hour

  ●September 7 to October 17, 2020 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; every hour

• Ticket Price

  Price: $7.00 per person, ages 3 and up. You MUST pick up a hard-copy of your reserved ticket before going on your tour. Tour tickets can be picked up to a week in advance or on the day of your tour.Tickets need to be picked up at least 2.5 hours before your tour starts. You may pick up your tickets at the Mesa Verde Visitor & Research Center, Morefield Ranger Station, Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, or the Durango Welcome Center in Durango, CO.

• Tour Capacity

  Tour is limited to 55 people 

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