Mesa Verde National Park Day Trip

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

Day Trip Details

Mesa Verde National Park covers over 207 sq km (80 sq mi) and protects more than 5,000 archeological sites, showcasing the ancestral lands of the Ancient Puebloans. Visitors can see the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

Two tour options are available: one focusing on the cliff dwellings and the other covering the park's key features. Due to ticket limitations, the Cliff Palace tour offers a unique experience.

Both tours start and finish at a central meeting point in Durango, include transportation to the park, admission to mentioned sites, and a guided experience.

Cliff Palace Tour (5 hours)

This tour emphasizes the cliff dwellings in the park. After a 1-hour drive, we will reach the Mesa Verde National Park Visitors Center. The main focus will be on Cliff Palace, a dwelling from 1260 CE, made of sandstone, mortar, and wooden beams, offering a limited access experience with an expert ranger guide.

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

Mesa Verde Complete Tour (6 hours)

This tour explores the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans more in-depth, including visits to Park Point for a view of the Four Corners, the Far View Village complex, and the Spruce Canyon Tree House, featuring one of the largest cave dwellings.

A driving tour on the Mesa Top Loop will provide stunning views of significant cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, although this tour does not include tickets to the Cliff Palace.

After the exploration, the return journey to Durango will commence.