Mesa Verde National Park Day Trip

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

Day Trip Details

Mesa Verde National Park spans over 207 sq km (80 sq mi) and houses over 5,000 archaeological sites, making it Colorado's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience the lands of the Ancient Puebloans and the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

When booking, choose between two tour options: one focused on cliff dwellings and the other exploring the park's key features. The Cliff Palace tour offers limited tickets providing an exclusive experience.

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 focuses on touring the park's cliff dwellings. A 1-hour drive leads to Mesa Verde National Park Visitors Center. The main destination is Cliff Palace, dating back to 1260 CE. This tour includes tickets to the Cliff Palace and a guided tour by an expert ranger.

Participants will explore cliff dwellings and can visit highlights of the Mesa Top Loop for scenic views of Cliff Palace and the landscape before returning to Durango.

Mesa Verde Complete Tour (6 hours)

This tour offers a deeper look into the Ancestral Puebloans. It includes visits to Park Point for views at the Four Corners viewpoint and the Far View Village complex, as well as the Spruce Canyon Tree House.

A driving tour on the Mesa Top Loop will also showcase major cliff dwellings in the park, including Cliff Palace. Please note this tour does not include tickets to Cliff Palace. The return journey to Durango concludes the experience.