Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers
a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people
who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D.
1300. Today, Mesa Verde National Park protects over 4,000 known
archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites
are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United
States. The stunning landscape of Southwest Colorado, near Four
Corners, is the backdrop as you explore Mesa Verde National Park.
Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round,
however, some facilities, tours, and archeological sites are seasonal.
To make the most out of your trip, take a look at the Park
Schedule to see what will be available when you visit Mesa
Verde National Park.
Getting
Here
Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwestern Colorado midway between
Cortez and Mancos off US 160. From the highway to the park headquarters
is 21 scenic miles and about a 45 minute drive. About 15 miles from the highway
is the Far View Visitor Center and 4 miles from the highway is
Morefield Campground.
When
you arrive at Mesa Verde National Park, the first thing you should do is visit
the Far View Visitor Center which is open summer months (early
June through Labor Day Weekend) or the Chapin Mesa Museum which
is open 8am-6:30pm during the summer and 8am-5pm during the rest
of the year. The Visitor Center features exhibits that focus on
the contemporary American Indian cultures in the Four Corners
area. You'll also find books and postcards at the bookstore. From
there a park ranger can help you plan getting the most out of
your visit. He'll give you the choice of visiting Chapin Mesa
or Wetherill Mesa. Click Here to view maps
of Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa.
Contact Mesa Verde National Park:
Mesa Verde National Park P.O. Box 8
Mesa Verde, Colorado 81330
E-mail Us - (970) 529-4465
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST) seven days a week
For more information,
Check out our Frequently Asked Question page
