Coyotes, mountain lions, bats and other wildlife roam the park. › Mesa Verde National Park › Walking. Please see the trail updates below for current grooming conditions. Also view dates for other seasonal sites such as the Far View area and the Cliff Palace Loop. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! The trail is an easy walk to the canyon edge and offers views of Balcony House and other archeological sites along Soda Canyon. National Parks and Monuments Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Hovenweep National Monument Mesa Verde National Park. Begins on the west end of Morefield Campground. Take a hike, gaze from a fire tower or have dinner with a view. Download the official map to find your way around Colorado National Monument including Rim Rock Road, trails, entrances and visitor center. National Park Service maps are graphical products designed for general reference, orientation, and route finding. Best Walking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park. The trail switchbacks up the back side of Point Lookout and traverses the top of the mesa. Registration at the trailhead or museum is required. Steep cliffs, deep canyons and narrow trails can be a danger to all visitors. Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive is a 15 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Mancos, Colorado that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. Map Map of Wetherill Mesa and the national park. Far View Sites Complex "When visiting Mesa Verde National Park, take time and walk down the Knife Edge Trail." Trail map and profile (jpg, 2 mb), Spruce Canyon Trail 2.4 miles (3.9km), round-trip Scenic Byways Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway. Parking is limited to vehicles under 25 feet. For a relatively large national park, Mesa Verde has few trails, since the extensive backcountry is closed to unaccompanied hiking in order to protect the numerous ancient sites. Trail map and profile (jpg, 2 mb), Petroglyph Point Trail 2.4 miles (3.9km), round-trip The map of Dinosaur National Monument includes park roads, trails, visitor centers, the Yampa River and the Exhibit Hall, home of the Walls of Bones. The level, unpaved ¾-mile trail (1.2 km) is open 8:00 am to sunset. Note Wetherill Mesa Road, a seasonal summer road traverses the west side of the park to Rock Canyon Tower View, the Step House and Long House. Trail map and profile (jpg, 2 mb), Soda Canyon Overlook Trail 1.2 miles (1.9km), round-trip It was a place filled with people, vibrant life, and constant change. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/colorado/mesa-verde-national-park 265 reviews. 638 photos. Trails are groomed for skate skiing, classic skiing, and snowshoeing as snow and ranger schedules permit. The following maps will also help you plan a visit to Mesa Verde National Park. The trail is narrow, rugged, and rocky, with several steep drop-offs along the canyon wall on the way to the petroglyph panel. See where campgrounds and lodge are located. Four Corners Area Fishing Map. The National Park Service celebrates 4th Graders! Explore ruins abandoned 200 years before Christopher Columbus set foot in the “new world” plus 9 more fun activities. 81330, Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is allowed only on designated trails. Download Mesa Verde National Park Map PDF [9.9 MB]. 80. Mesa Verde National Park has accessibility limitations for people with vision, hearing or mobility impairments. Petroglyph Point Hike. This trail provides good views of Montezuma Valley. A favorite for many visitors is Mesa Verde hiking of the various trails that lead to the park’s amazing cliff dwellings and archeological forms. Natural History: This trail is a good place to look for lizards, hummingbirds, and a wide variety of plants. You can read more about pricing on the national park passes and permits page. Mesa Verde National Park topographic map and nearby trails. This trail offers a leisurely stroll on the quietest trail in Mesa Verde, and leads to an overlook of Nordenskiold Site No. Southwest Southwest Colorado's towns of Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and Towaoc embrace the archaeological center of America, anchored by world-renowned Mesa Verde National Park. Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is allowed only on designated trails. The park currently charges an entry fee, either via a day pass, a Mesa Verde annual pass, or a nationwide America the Beautiful pass. Reviews (687) Photos (638) Recordings (441) Bethany Koss reviewed Soda Canyon Overlook Trail. Natural History: Changes in elevation and vegetation along with views of the surrounding area are highlights of this trail. Cultural History: In 1891, 23-year old Swedish scientist Gustaf Nordenskiold visited Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde National Park is just over 80 Square Miles. See trail descriptions below for more information. 200 Species of Birds. There are a number of trails from which to choose. For current hours of operation and more information on seasonal closures, visit the park's website . "This was our favorite hike in the park,it is a bit challenging and … Using painstaking field methods for his time, he excavated many sites, including this one. Day 1: Mesa Verde National ParkMake your home base in the town of Cortez, just an hour from Mesa Verde National Park. Best views trails in Mesa Verde National Park 1,460 Reviews Explore the most popular views trails in Mesa Verde National Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Begins one mile north of the Balcony House parking area along the Cliff Palace Loop Road. View businesses, restaurants, and shopping in . Some hikes require you to sign a trail register before you go. Hiking. Here are some of the best shots in Mesa Verde National Park. Buy the Durango Cortez Trail Map at REI.com. For winter hiking opportunities, go to our Winter Activities page. The majority of the viewable ruins and cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park are found on Chapin Mesa, as are most visitor facilities, and unlike the other main location (Wetherill Mesa), the access road is open all year, kept free of snow during the lengthy cold winters of this high elevation area (7,000 to 8,000 feet). Farming Terrace Trail 0.5 mile (0.8km), round-trip Photographs 16 views of sites on Wetherill Mesa. 16. Download the official map to find your way around Colorado's Great Sand Dunes including park roads, trails, visitor center, and the dunefield. Visitors encounter rugged terrain at an elevation of 7,000 to 8,500 feet. This trail provides excellent views of both Montezuma and Mancos valleys, as well as the surrounding countryside. August 19, 2020. This Mesa Verde vegetation map (700 kb) shows how the plant communities change as you drive further (and higher) into the park. For winter hiking opportunities, go to our Winter Activities page. Park Brochure Map. The trailhead is located near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Get the lay of the land with these maps. Various Mesa Verde maps This Mesa Verde geologic map (1.7 mb) features both the bedrock that makes up the Mesa Verde cliffs as well as the more recent surface deposits in the park and in surrounding Colorado. Natural History: The Spruce Canyon Trail offers an opportunity to explore the canyon bottoms of Mesa Verde and discover the plants and wildlife that live in this habitat. This adventurous trail provides excellent views of Spruce and Navajo Canyons and takes you past a large petroglyph panel located 1.4 miles (2.3 km) from the trailhead. Download the official map to find your way around Rocky Mountain National Park including park roads, trails, lakes, visitor centers, and the gateway towns. Complete mountain biking information for Mesa Verde NP, Colorado with maps, photos, trail descriptions, biking guides and outfitters, and more Colorado Map. There's more to do beyond the main attraction of touring ancient cliff ruins. • Mesa Verde National Park: This World Heritage Cultural Site houses some of the most dramatic archaeological sites on earth. Book Now! The trail ascends Prater Ridge and follows a loop around the top of the ridge, returning via the same route. For recommendations on hiking safely in the park, click on Hiking Tips. "Don't be frightened by the name - there are no sheer cliffs, and it's one of the easiest hikes in the park … Park brochure map (links to Harpers Ferry Center) Other Park Maps. Do NOT use these maps for backcountry hiking, water navigation, mountaineering, and other specialized activities—use US Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps instead. There are also picnic areas, food service, fuel, and a gift shop in the park. Go-Colorado. Stop at the visitor center to double-check before you head out. Mesa Verde National Park quick information. Please contact a ranger for times the gate above the trailhead is open. There is only one entrance to Mesa Verde National Park - along US 160, 10 miles east of Cortez and 36 miles west of Durango. 970.533.7421 800.776.7421. In ancient times, the community was a place of modest homes interspersed with small farm fields. Each year we ask travelers to enter their best photos in our annual photo contest. See trail descriptions below for more information. As a result, there is no shade available along the trail. Hiking at Mesa Verde is restricted and allowed only on designated trails. Download the free, full-sheet 7.5 minute (1:24,000 scale) USGS Mesa Verde National Park topo map as an Adobe PDF. Consisting of several habitats, Mesa Verde National Park houses around 74 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 16 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians, 6 species of fishes, and over 1,000 species of insects and other invertebrates. Resort Map. As you follow the woodland trail among the six sites, read the trailside signs to learn about Ancestral Pueblo life in the surrounding landscape between 900 to 1300 CE. They also include Rocky Mountain National Park, the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Dog Info When inside Mesa Verde National Park, there are plenty of options for activities. Complete the form below to receive your guides by mail. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Restaurants, Dining, Breweries, & Distilleries, National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Four Corners. PDF format map of Mesa Verde National Park, from the National Park Service (736 kb). 16 Trail 2 miles (3.2km), round-trip from information kiosk There are a number of trails from which to choose. A cut-off trail can be taken which shortens the trail to five miles. Mitchell Dale Stehling, 51, of Texas, vanished during a hike in Mesa Verde National Park in June 2013. Beginning and ending on the spur road to Cedar Tree Tower, this 1/2 mile loop leads to a series of prehistoric check dams built by the Ancestral Pueblo people to create farming terraces. https://www.alltrails.com/us/colorado/mesa-verde-national-park This combination gravel and paved trail begins at the information kiosk and winds through four mesa top sites, covering 600 years of occupation. Spectacular views and a wide variety of plants and animals are also often seen along the way. Download the official map to find your way around Mesa Verde National Park in Southwest Colorado including park roads, trails, visitor centers, and ruin attractions. Park map, printable, 8.5" x 11" (jpg, 5.4 mb) Chapin Mesa map (jpg, 2.3 mb) Wetherill Mesa map (jpg, 2.1 mb) Headquarters and Chapin Museum area map (jpg, 2.3 mb) Come walk around the resort with us. Durango Summer Fun – Animas River Trail; Our Favorite Restaurants in Cortez, Colorado; Mesa Verde National Park Info; We Are A … 100. Trail guide available. 687 reviews Directions Print/PDF Map; Share; VIEW FULL MAP. Jeep & 4WD Durango Jeeping & ATV/UTV Trails. Recent News. Or get the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Four Corners. We got you covered. This basic map illustrates how Rocky Mountain National Park is divided into the west side and the east side, joined by Trail Ridge Road which is closed in the winter. The 2000 Pony Fire severely burned this area. Colorado Travel Vlog - Wondering what hikes/trails and viewpoints you should see in Mesa Verde National Park? Send Email. If you buy from shopping links on this website, National Park Trips may receive an affiliate commission. His book, "The Cliff Dwellers of the Mesa Verde," was the first extensive examination and photographic record of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings. Located in southwestern Colorado near the Four Corners region, Mesa Verde National Park was the first national park established to “preserve the works of man.” The park preserves more than 4,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings that are among the most elaborate and best-preserved sites in the United States. Download the official map to find your way around Mesa Verde National Park in Southwest Colorado including park roads, trails, visitor centers, and ruin attractions. Mesa Verde National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Note Wetherill Mesa Road, a seasonal summer road traverses the west side of the park to Rock Canyon Tower View, the Step House and Long House. Please contact a ranger for times the gate above the trailhead is open. Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is plentiful, with numerous trails offering a perfect hike for the novice and a day’s hike for the experienced. The trailhead is located near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. The map for this unique area where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico meet includes the Mesa Verde region, the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway and much more printed on waterproof, tear-resistant material. Hike Mesa Verde. Wetherill Mesa, including the Wetherill Mesa Road, all sites and trails remain CLOSED. Trail map and profile (jpg, 2 mb), Point Lookout Trail 2.2 miles (3.5km), round-trip After the panel, you’ll scramble up a large stone staircase using hands and feet to climb to the top, then enjoy an easy return through forest to complete the loop. Mesa Verde National Park is a birder’s paradise. Some of the grandest sites include the dwellings at Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House and Balcony House, where you can climb into kivas and immerse yourself in the wonder of this ancient civilization’s handiwork. Mesa Verde National Park, CO There is free admission for fourth graders and their families with the Every Kid in a Park initiative! Five Mesa Top Villages & Far View Reservior Trail map and profile (jpg, 1.5 mb). Mesa Verde is one of 4 national parks in the U.S. state of Colorado. Prater Ridge Trail 7.8 miles (12.6km), round-trip At 2.8 miles (loop), the Petroglyph Point Trail is the second longest of the limited number of hiking paths in Mesa Verde National Park; only the Prater Ridge Trail in the north is longer, and the route is popular since it offers the only opportunity to view ruins and rock art in a backcountry setting, not on a guided tour. Location: In the southwestern corner of Colorado, easily accessible from Cortez or Durango, Colorado. Cortez offers a host of excellent accommodations, dining and shopping opportunities, as well as 294 acres of parks, several recreation areas and an abundance of activities.Stop by the Colorado Welcome Center on Main Street to pick up tips and ideas for exploring the area. Nordenskiold Site No. Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is allowed only on designated trails. There are a number of trails from which to choose. For winter hiking opportunities, go to our. PO Box 8 For recommendations on hiking safely in the park, click on, . Read reviews and get directions to where you want to go. Begins from the Spruce Tree House trail, follows the bottom of Spruce Tree Canyon, turns up Spruce Canyon, and returns to the museum via the picnic area. Recreational opportunities vary by season as some of the park's services, programs, and areas are open seasonally. Cultural History: Built in 1914 as the main access into the park, old-timers still proudly talk about what a feat it was to build, or "hang," a road on this steep bluff. Map of Mesa Verde National Park area hotels: Locate Mesa Verde National Park hotels on a map based on popularity, price, or availability, and see Tripadvisor reviews, photos, and deals. Natural History: The trail goes through big sagebrush, Utah juniper, yucca, and gambel oak.This is a fairly low-growing, open area and will be hot in the summer. You're all set! 360. The trail is primarily used for road biking and scenic driving and is accessible year-round. Welcome to the Mesa Verde National Park winter trails update. Badger House Community Trail 2.25 miles (3.6km) round-trip from the information kiosk The two main groups of ancient sites are on Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa. Download the map to find your way around Colorado's Black Canyon including park roads, trails, and popular overlooks such as Painted Wall and Sunset View. Click on the cameras to see photos. This mesa top community includes Far View House, four other villages, and a dry reservoir. A search for Ryan Albert of Marlton, New Jersey, was suspended at Rocky Mountain National Park in November 2018 after nearly a month of scouring the area around Longs Peak, a 14,259-foot icon that is a magnet for hikers hoping to tackle a "14er." Length 15 miElevation gain 2618 ftRoute type Point to point Want a detailed topographical map of trails in Mesa Verde and beyond? For recommendations on hiking safely in the park, click on Hiking Tips. If you need additional information, call the Mesa Verde Chief Ranger's Office at 970-529-4622. Trail map and profile (jpg, 2 mb). Trail map and profile (jpg, 2 mb), Knife Edge Trail 2 miles (3.2km), round-trip See trail descriptions below for more information. Mesa Top Loop Road, Mesa Verde National Park: Address, Mesa Top Loop Road Reviews: 5/5 The trail follows a section of the old Knife Edge Road, from the northwest corner of Morefield Campground towards the Montezuma Valley Overlook. 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