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5. Far View Sites
The various sites that make up the Far View Sites are unassuming and often overlooked, but it’s an interesting area to visit to understand how people survived on the mesa top. Walk from site to site as you discover different ruins that each had a purpose for the Native Americans in Mesa Verde.
What You Need to Know
As you visit Mesa Verde, you’ll have water on your mind. How did these people survive without a nearby river or lake? One of my favorite things to see in the park is what is thought to be an ancient reservoir!
The sites are all connected by an easy 0.75-mile trail, and pets are not permitted on any trails or at any archaeological sites in this park.
Getting Here
From the park entrance, drive 15 miles to the Far View Lodge. When you pass the Lodge, start looking for the turn-off to the Far View Sites. The parking area is about a mile south of the Lodge on the east side of the road. It’s easy to miss, so keep a lookout!
6. Balcony House
For the most dramatic and adventurous way to see a cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, look no further than Balcony House. This tour will have you climbing and crawling through some of the most fabulous buildings in the park….and you’ll feel like an explorer in the process!
What You Need to Know
Balcony House is only accessible via a ranger-led tour, and tickets are required. The dwellings are definitely on a cliff, so take care if you are uncomfortable with heights! Climbing up several ladders, crawling through tunnels, and stepping up a steep stairway cut into the side of the cliff are all required to make it through the tour.
Getting Here
From the park entrance, drive 20 miles along the park road to the all-way stop. You’ll pass by the Morefield Campground and the Far View Lodge along the way. At the all-way stop, take a left. Drive for about a mile before taking another left toward Cliff Palace (look for the signs). Now you’re on the Cliff Palace Loop, which is a 6-mile, one-way loop that takes you past Cliff Palace and Balcony House (park here).
7. Spruce Tree House
The Spruce Tree House is the best-preserved cliff dwelling in the park…it’s stunning! This is a fantastic place to stop if you would like to get a good idea of what these sites might have looked like hundreds of years ago.
What You Need to Know
This site is viewed from an overlook with a ranger on duty to answer your questions. You used to be able to walk right into the dwelling — and even climb down a ladder into the kiva — but because of unstable rocks, it is no longer safe to tour.
Don’t let that discourage you from stopping by. It’s a beautiful cliff dwelling, even from afar!
Getting Here
From the park entrance, drive 20 miles along the park road to the all-way stop. You’ll pass by the Morefield Campground and the Far View Lodge along the way. At the all-way stop, take a right. You’ll be on a one-way loop that travels past a picnic area to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Park here near the museum and walk down the path to the Spruce Tree House Overlook.
8. Step House
After driving around the Mesa Top Loop and other areas in the park, you may be wondering what a pit house actually was. Step House is an awesome place to stop and tour a reconstructed pit house. This site also includes petroglyphs and a cliff dwelling!
What You Need to Know
You can take a self-guided tour through Step House. It’s about one mile of walking from beginning to end with 100 feet of elevation gain. Be aware that this site is only open when there is a ranger on duty, and the hours vary depending on the time of year.
Getting Here
From the park entrance, drive approximately 15 miles to the Far View Lodge. Just after passing the Far View Lodge, look for the turn-off to the Wetherill Mesa Road on your right. Turn here (if you get to the Far View Terrace, you’ve gone too far). Travel another 12 miles to the end of the Wetherill Mesa Road. This trail starts near the pavilion at the south end of the parking area.
Mesa Verde National Park was created to protect a cultural site, and it is a sacred place for many people. As you visit this area, please show respect by following the rules and leaving no trace. Go there with the intent to learn, and your experience will be unforgettable.
Have an amazing time!
Thank you so much for this! It’s tremendously helpful to know a bit more about how long the tours are, what the driving distances are, and what’s involved with each – great blog!
Thanks so much!
Hi. I thought I saw a rough 10 day itinerary on your site to hit the Colorado national parks and now I can’t seem to find it.
It’s near the bottom of this article: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/how-many-days-should-i-spend-in-rocky-mountain-national-park/
Thank you for all of your recommendations. I am looking to visit Mesa Verde beginning around the end of the second and beginning of the third week of May, 2023. I’m not sure what will be open then nor how many of the Ranger led tours will be available yet (do you know?). How much time do I need to see Mesa Verde? One day or 2 days (or more)?
We have been there around that time, and the ranger tours can be a little scarce. The tour schedules have been a little weird over the past few years because of COVID/closures. It looks like they are saying tours will start back up around May 14th in 2023, but I have no idea what they’ll actually have open at that time. 1 day is sufficient if you want to hit a tour in the morning and a tour/scenic drive in the afternoon. If you’re hoping to get to most of the ranger-led tours, you’ll want to give yourself another day.
Have a great time!
Thank you for all your wonderful information on the parks in our country – I am so grateful for your website in planning our family’s NP tour of the west/southwest this fall. I just discovered the Mesa Top Loop Road is closed for September (when we will be in the area) – do you think it is still worth a visit? Hoping to snag tickets for the tours, but I understand they go FAST.
Thanks in advance for your input!
Oh yeah, it’s for sure still worth going! I hope you’re able to get the tour tickets you want!
We are planning to visit Mesa Verde in September and will have a full day to do so. The sites currently listed as open for our timeframe are Cliff Palace, Long House, and Balcony House. I unfortunately believe my husband won’t fit through the tunnels at Balcony House so that leaves the other two. Would you suggest we try to tour both houses? It sounds like if we do that it will take most of our day and we may not have time for much else of the park. But, I’m afraid of being disappointed in touring just Cliff Palace since we can’t get as up close and personal there. Would love your thoughts! Thank you for such an informational post!
I would book both tours! In my opinion, the tours are the best part of Mesa Verde and the best use of your time!
what a GREAT share !!!
very helpful !!
gonna be there in September.
THANK YOU !!!
I’d like to start off by saying that I love all your information. I purchased your yellowstone itinerary last year and have followed you ever since. We’re visiting the grand canyon, zion, monument valley, antelope canyon, and mesa verde this year and I’m glad I checked your site for this one! I was however a little sad you didn’t throw in petroglyph trail in your list as you are known to go off the main attractions. Is this trail not as good as I’ve read?
It’s a great one! Because of the length, I decided to leave it out and stick to the best ruins since that’s what most people are hoping to see. But yes, if that appeals to you, definitely hike it!
How can we inquire if there have been any cancellations for tours today?
You’ll need to check the NPS website directly, or talk to a ranger when you get there!
According to the NPS site, there is no access to Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail through the end of the month. The museum and visitor’s center are both closed too.
Is this still worth it?
If you can get tour tickets for any of the ruins, I think you could still have a great time. But people have been having a REALLY hard time getting tickets this year :(
We just tried to book a tour for early June. It was like buying concert tickets. Was ready to go at 7:59 and refreshed the page at 8:00am when tickets go on sale. They were immediately sold out. We weren’t able to get any guided tours for our trip :(
I am sorry to hear that :( Keeping checking back in case there are any cancellations!
Same here. Tried to book for late June 2021 starting at 7:55 and refreshing every couple seconds. By the time the tickets were available, all were sold except 11. Tried to buy one of those 11 and it kept telling me they were not available.
How quickly do we need to purchase tour tickets, do they sell out fast? Also, are there tickets available on 1st come, 1st serve to those who don’t plan a tour in advance?
They sell out quickly, so be sure to get on the site on the exact day they open up the tickets for your dates. It looks like all sales are being done online, no first-come, first-served.
Are there dwellings you can access without a guide or legal consequences?
There are some small/incomplete dwellings you can tour without a guide, but the large and impressive dwellings have to be visited with a guide only :)
We took the Balcony House tour this past September. It was amazing and the ranger that guided the tour played his hand made flute on the ledge by the Kiva. He was amazing to listen to and the sound was so beautiful and haunting it felt as if we were transported back in time. He later told me he had played with several orchestras in the US, Europe and Asia. We will be returning next year and seeing more of the park. I was able to get some great shots of several dwellings that are located across the valley from Balcony house. I don’t think they are open to the public but my zoom lens gave us a clear picture. Having a camera with a 50X zoom should be part of your kit for this great park.
That’s awesome! Sounds like a perfect experience in Mesa Verde. Thanks for sharing!
We’re planning a spring break trip and didn’t realize the tours aren’t available until later in the year. Are there ample things to do that don’t require a tour guide?
Yeah, there are some good options along the main road. You won’t be able to go into any of the large structures without a guide {unless you aren’t going until mid-April, at which point Cliff Palace will open up for tours}. But there are some smaller sites you can visit without a tour…many of them are on this list. Have fun!
We have plans for trip to Mesa Verde and Arches/Canyonland for August…beginning to think I was crazy for doing August. I have reservations to stay at Far View lodge and ticket for 700 Year Tour and hope to be able to get tickets for Cliff Palace and Long House 14 days out. Anyone have other suggestions for August trip?
We have been there many times & with grandchildren
That’s fantastic! It’s such a great place!