United States Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park
A national park in Colorado known for well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, featuring over 600 cliff structures.
Tips from the community
Personally, I’m a little upset that I have to leave Mesa Verde in second place. It’s for good reason, but let’s leave it at this for now: this is not a park you want to miss out on if you’re anywhere near Southwestern Colorado. Despite having visited Mesa Verde twice, it’s the sort of park I could come back to again and again with a fresh sense of wonder.
As the largest archeological preserve in the United States, Mesa Verde offers views of more than 600 cliff dwellings carved into shallow mesa shelves by ancestral Pueblo people over the course of centuries between 550 and 1200 AD. Since 1906, people have been hiking, horseback riding, and now driving into the park to look at the cliff dwellings from across a shallow canyon where they look like tiny, windowed nests packed into caves. You can even take guided trips into the dwellings that housed entire communities thousands of years ago.
This is a highly accessible park. With few options for hiking (except in winter, when several roads throughout the park are closed and you’re welcome to snowshoe to sites), most visitors drive through, stopping at dig sites and reconstructed kivas as well as at overlooks of the famous Balcony House and Cliff Palace. If you’re looking for something strenuous, look somewhere else, but there’s nothing in Colorado—or maybe on earth—quite like Mesa Verde.
savannah.whitmer 3 years ago
Mesa Verde National Park is a prime example of how the US national parks system isn’t only about preserving Mother Nature. Counting a whopping 5,000 individual archaeology sites, this one’s a glimpse at the pre-history of the continent. The land here was once inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans, who raised enthralling adobe-rock settlements like the Cliff Palace nearly 1,000 years ago. You’ll also get to see ancient pictographs and petroglyphs and cave dwellings.
jrfrancis 3 years ago
Mesa Verde National Park, located in the southwest corner of Colorado, is an essential stop on the ultimate Colorado road trip, offering a unique window into the ancient Puebloan culture. Featuring thousands of archaeological sites, including cliff dwellings ingeniously built into the rock faces, the park not only showcases the history but also commands spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. While traversing the diverse terrains of Colorado, a visit to Mesa Verde provides a meaningful connection to the Ancestral Puebloan people who inhabited the region for over 700 years.
seeker 1 month ago
There’s nothing that can prep you for the amazing ancient ruins at the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Within the park lies the great adobe Cliff Palace built more than 1,000 years ago by the Ancestral Puebloans, along with pictographs and cave paintings aplenty.
jrfrancis 3 years ago
Mesa Verde National Park is a World Heritage Site in Colorado, United States that preserves the heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people. It is renowned for its spectacular cliff dwellings which date back to the 13th century. Visitors can explore the ancient settlements, learn about the rich history of the region, and marvel at the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
seeker 1 year ago
Mesa Verde is famously known for its ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and is the largest archaeological preserve in the USA. Featuring a rich cultural heritage and plenty to explore and uncover- this destination is perfect for history lovers.
seeker 3 years ago
Mesa Verde National Park Guides
The ultimate Colorado Road Trip
seeker (Seeker Editors) Picture the rugged peaks of the Rockies soaring into crystal-clear skies, the rustle of aspen leaves in the mountain breeze, and the allure of the open road calling out to your wanderlust—this is the essence of the ultimate Colorado road trip. As we embark on this adventure together, we'll traverse the state's scenic byways, uncover hidden gems, and make stops at iconic destinations that are as diverse as they are breathtaking. From the world-renowned ski towns to the untamed beauty of the national parks, and the vibrant city life to the tranquil hot springs, each mile will be a story to tell. Buckle up, because Colorado's majestic landscapes await to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.Map of National Parks in the US
seeker (Seeker Editors) The US boasts an impressive 63 national parks, each with its own distinct character, awe inspiring views and countless ways to connect with nature. The parks are managed by the National Park Service which offers an annual pass for access to all 63 parks throughout the year for one flat price. Let's explore.World Heritage Sites in North America
seeker (Seeker Editors) Sprawling natural parks with unique wildlife, ancient and mysterious temples, world-renown monuments, and more- the continent of North America is one with a deep history to be uncovered. Explore some of humankind's most famous mysteries and witness nature's magnificence at these UNESCO designated world heritage sites across the massive continent.
Mesa Verde National Park Articles
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Colorado’s National Parks: Ranked
Read more...“Nil Sine Numine” — Nothing Without Providence. It’s a fitting motto for a state that seems to be providentially blessed with beauty in every corner. Colorado is home to some of the most varied terrain in the continental United States, with its mountains, mesas, and deserts preserved in four national parks. If you’re feeling overwhelmed […]