Mesa Verde National Park Day Trip

Explore Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado's only UNESCO site, featuring ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and guided tours.

Day Trip Details

The park spans over 207 sq km (80 sq mi) and protects over 5,000 archaeological sites. It is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Colorado. Visitors can explore the ancestral lands of the Ancient Puebloans and the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

When booking, choose from two tour options: the Cliff Palace tour, focusing on cliff dwellings, and the Mesa Verde Complete tour, which covers key park features. Ticket availability is limited for the Cliff Palace tour.

Both tours start and finish at a central meeting point in Durango and include transport to Mesa Verde National Park, admission to the sites, and guided experiences.

Cliff Palace Tour (5 hours)

This tour highlights the exclusive cliff dwellings. After a 1-hour drive, we arrive at the Mesa Verde National Park Visitors Center. The primary destination is the historic Cliff Palace, dating back to 1260 CE. This site is visited by a limited number of guests each day and includes a guided tour by an expert ranger who shares insights about the ancient community.

The tour focuses on exploring cliff dwellings and includes a visit to highlights of the Mesa Top Loop for stunning views.

Afterward, we return to Durango.

Mesa Verde Complete Tour (6 hours)

This option offers a deeper exploration of the Ancestral Puebloans. The tour includes a visit to Park Point for views of Four Corners, where four states meet, and the Far View Village complex, which was once highly populated.

We will also visit the Spruce Canyon Tree House and enjoy a driving tour on the Mesa Top Loop for views of major dwellings. Note that this tour does not include tickets to the Cliff Palace.

After the tour, we will return to Durango.