Mesa Verde National Park Tours
Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home from 600 to 1300 CE. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.
Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home from 600 to 1300 CE. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.
Notifications and Alerts
Beginning in 2023, all ranger assisted and guided tours require reservations booked here on the Recreation.gov website or through the toll free number at 1-877-444-6777. The only cliff dwelling that will not require a reservation is Step House on Wetherill Mesa.
Need to Know
- How to purchase tour tickets
Daily tours of Cliff Palace, Long House, and Balcony House are closed for the winter. NOTE: In 2023, all ranger assisted and guided tours will require reservations through the Recreation.gov website or toll free number 1-877-444-6777. The only cliff dwelling that will not require a reservation is Step House on Wetherill Mesa. For more information on the variety of tours offered next season, please visit the Mesa Verde National Park Cliff Dwelling Tours page .
- Reservations
- During the ticket season which typically runs from May to October, tickets will go on sale 14 days in advance at 8:00 a.m MST, on a rolling daily window. For example, tickets would go on sale September 17 for tours on October 1.
- PLAN AHEAD! All 2023 tours will require reservations. Tours are limited and sell out daily, especially on holiday and weekend dates. Cliff Palace is limited to 40, Balcony House to 25, and Long House to 35 participants per tour.
- If booking more than one tour on the same day, please ensure you allow enough time to drive from one site to another and allow adequate time between tours. Please follow the suggested tour times listed on each tour page.
- Park Operations
- Although the park is open year-round, overnight accommodations and some areas (including Wetherill Mesa) are closed during the winter months. Be sure to check the park's Operating Hours page or pick up a Visitor Guide upon arrival for details on services available during your visit.
- The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is open 8:00 am -4:00 pm daily. The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum is closed for renovations.
- Food and Drink
Only plain water is allowed on any tour. Candy, tobacco or gum are NOT permitted into any cliff dwelling.
- Health Warning
- All tours are appropriate for well-prepared hikers, but are strenuous, so please consider your physical health before choosing a tour/hike, espicially if you have heart or respiratory problems, or other physical difficulties.Elevations ranges between 7,000 and 7,500 feet (2134 , and 2286 m) above sea level.
- We suggest wearing sturdy shoes or boots and bring plenty of water.Your safety depends on your good judgement, adequate preperation, and constant attention.
- Children must be able to walk the extent of the trails and climb all ladders on their own without diffculty. All infants must be carried in backpacks while on tours and adults carrying children in backpacks must be able to maintain mobility and balance.
- Entrance Fees and Passes
- All visitors to Mesa Verde National Park must present a pass (Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Military Pass, Interagency Access Pass, or an annual 4th Grade Pass) or pay an entrance fee upon arrival (or purchase a digital site pass in advance).
- Please be prepared to present your hard copy pass or digital pass on your mobile device. Please also have your photo I.D. available to present to the ranger with your pass. Photo copies or digital pass images will not be accepted if you left your hard copy pass at home.
- Do you already own a pass? Mesa Verde National Park honors the Interagency Annual and lifetime Passes that are valid at multiple national park and federal sites. If you own one of these passes you do NOT need to purchase a digital site pass.
- Are you visiting multiple parks? Upon arrival at Mesa Verde National Park you may purchase Interagency Annual and lifetime passes that allow entry at multiple national parks and federal lands.For information about other pass options, please visit Recreation.gov " Buy a Pass" page or compare the passes at the USGS Pass Store
- The park no longer accepts cash or checks for any entrance fees, Interagency Passes, or ticket sales. All purchases must be made by credit card only (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Diners Club).
- Tour Ticket Receipt
Important! Please bring your order receipt. No ticket will be provided, so you must present a copy of your receipt in order to participate in the tour. Cell service is extremely limited in the park and rangers cannot access tour reservation lists. Please take a screenshot of your email receipt and save it on your mobile device OR print a paper copy before you go to the park. You will present this to the ranger before your tour.
- Morefield Campground
Morefield Campground at Mesa Verde National Park is operated by Aramark and is closed for the 2022 season. You may book online at Aramark's Mesa Verde website or call 1-800-449-2288.
- Masks are required in certain areas within the park
- Masks may be required inside buildings and where social distancing cannot be maintained.Cliff dwellings and overlooks are considered high visitor use areas and are mask zones.
Booking Windows
Tours to cliff dwellings are closed for the 2022 season. In 2023 tour tickets will be available 14 days in advance, 8:00 am MST, on a rolling daily window. (For example, tickets for October 1st will be available starting September 18th at 8:00 am MDT.
Purchasing tickets in advance are strongly encouraged. All tour tickets will be sold online or by calling 877-444-6777.
Changes and Cancellations
Cancellations must be completed at least 24-hours before your scheduled tour start time for a full refund minus the non-refundable per-ticket reservation fee. Refunds will not be given for tours cancelled or modified less than 24-hours before the scheduled tour time.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
PO Box 8 Mesa Verde CO 81330
Phone Number
970-529-4465
