Mesa Verde

This is our destination. I plan to research things to do along the way next week (at work).

We'll be staying at the Far View Lodge which is IN the park, so we don't have to worry about the two hour drive in and out of the park!

Did You Know?
On a snowy December day in 1888, while ranchers Richard Wetherill and Charlie Mason searched Mesa Verde’s canyons for stray cattle, they unexpectedly came upon Cliff Palace for the first time. The following year, the Wetherill brothers and Mason explored an additional 182 cliff dwellings.

IF YOU HAVE ONE HALF DAY OR LESS...
Plan to spend at least four hours at Mesa Verde. Two hours of this time will be spent driving in and out of the park.
•Your first stop should be at the Far View Visitor Center (15 miles from the park entrance) for information and orientation.
•Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and Spruce Tree House -or- drive the Mesa Top Loop Road (six-mile loop).

IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY...
•Stop at the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tickets ($3.00) to visit Cliff Palace or Balcony House.
•Drive the Cliff Palace/Balcony House Loop Road. If you plan to visit Cliff Palace or Balcony House, be sure to purchase your tickets at the Far View Visitor Center first.
•Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, take a self-guided tour of Spruce Tree House, -and- drive the Mesa Top Loop Road (six-mile loop).
•Hike the Far View Sites Complex.

IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY (alternative)...
•Stop at the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tickets ($3.00) to visit Long House on Wetherill Mesa.
•Take the Wetherill Mesa Drive, hike the trails to the mesa top sites and cliff dwelling overlooks, and enjoy the tram service.
•Join a ranger for your ticketed tour to Long House. Be sure to purchase your tickets ($3.00) at the Far View Visitor Center before driving to Wetherill Mesa.
•Take a self-guided tour of Step House.

IF YOU HAVE TWO DAYS OR MORE (one day activities plus)...
•Stop at the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tickets to visit all three cliff dwellings (Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House).
•Hike one or more of Mesa Verde's hiking trails.