Good to know
- Tickets
- The park charges an entry fee per vehicle, covered by the America the Beautiful pass. Check nps.gov for current rates. Ranger-led cliff dwelling tours need separate timed tickets, sold on Recreation.gov 14 days ahead.
- Time needed
- A full day for a tour and the overlooks; two days to see more tours.
- Best time
- Late May to September, when cliff dwelling tours run. Spring and fall are quieter but have fewer tours.
- Getting there
- The entrance is about 15 minutes from Mancos and 10 minutes from Cortez; the main sites are about an hour's drive further in. Nearest major airport is Albuquerque, about 4 hours 30 minutes' drive; Durango is about 45 minutes.
Where to stay nearby
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Mesa Verde National Park questions
Do I need tickets for Mesa Verde tours?
Yes. Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Long House tours need tickets from Recreation.gov, released 14 days ahead at 8 a.m. Mountain time.
Which Mesa Verde tour is best?
Cliff Palace is the largest and most famous. Balcony House is more adventurous, with tall ladders and a crawl-through tunnel.
Where should I stay to visit Mesa Verde?
Far View Lodge inside the park is closest to the cliff dwellings. Cortez, Mancos and Durango have more choices.
