Mesa Verde National Park: A Tourist's Treat

Mesa Verde is the site of ancient Anasazi Cliff Dwelling ruins. These ancient people are believed to be among the first to inhabit the region of the four corners area that includes, southwestern Colorado, southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. The ruins found at Mesa Verde have been dated at to have been created and lived in from 300-1300 AD. The north side of the cliffs rise to heights of 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, while on the south side of the canyon, the cliffs provided suitable locations for cliff dwellings.

Colorado and the four corners area of the Southwestern portion of the United Sates teems with ancient Indian archaeological sites. Some of the most beautiful are found in Mesa Verde National Park, southwestern Colorado, located off U.S. Highway 160, between Cortez and Durango. The park was declared a National Park in 1906 and is the only park in the United States that owes its focus to the work of human hands.

Piñon and juniper forests sweep through the area, finally on the comeback after forest fires in the summer of 2000 raged through the area. The fires affected none of the historic dwellings, though several new sites were discovered in the aftermath of the burn.

Among some of the prolific dwellings to see in the park is the Cliff Palace, the largest and well-known dwelling within the park. These ancient homes are multi-storied and are accessible only if you take the summer and fall guided tours. Other ranger-led tours allow visitors to climb replica ladders into the Balcony House. Two other main attractions within the park, the Step House and the Long House, can only be viewed in summer. A guided tour of the Spruce Tree House can be enjoyed in winter months, but be advised that the weather can be bitterly cold.

If you don't want to take a guided tour, visitors are welcome to explore the park on their own. Multiple turnouts encourage visitors to view the dwellings on both sides of the canyon, which can be easily seen with the naked eye. Another treat for visitors are hiking trails that wind their way down to the bottom of the canyon, where ancient petroglyphs can be seen etched into the canyon wall by ancient hands.

Visitors can view the entire park from the comfort of a car or RV, and there is ample parking for both. For the more adventurous, multiple hiking trails are available. It is always wise to check the park before you plan your visit to make sure all roads are open and accessible.

The trails aren't particularly difficult, but be advised beforehand that the 7,000 foot altitude may tire those who aren't used to such altitudes. Also, taking a bottle of water or two along for your hike is a good idea.

For the hiking novice, two short trails are available. The Farming Terrace Trail is a moderate one-quarter mile jaunt that crosses over a dry riverbed and then loops back to the trailhead. The other trail, the Spruce Tree House trail, is a half-mile long, going both ways.

For those who are up to a little more, the Badger House Community Trail offers a three-quarter mile hike on Wetherhill Mesa. From this same area, a two-mile easy trail takes visitors to Site number 16, a 50-room cliff dwelling. To finish, take the one-half mile moderate hike to the Step House vantage point.

A favorite among visitors to Mesa Verde National Park however, is the longer Petroglyph Trail, an almost three mile trail that winds its way down the canyon below the Chapin Mesa Museum. Follow this trail down, down and down some more until you reach Petroglyph Point, the sight of ancient artwork by ancient people.

Be advised before you start on that particular trail, to wear good, sturdy shoes and make sure you have water with you. In some places, the trail can be difficult, especially for first time hikers. But the reward is worth the effort it takes to get there, and then back up. At the Petroglyph, make sure you look up to see the path that will take you back to the museum.

In this area, visitors can also take the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail, a one and a half mile relatively easy hike, to overlooks of Soda Canyon and the Balcony House. The two-mile Spruce Canyon Trail will guide visitors to the bottom of the canyon before it loops around into a steep climb back up.

Visitors in summer will also delight in Native American crafts and dancing offered by Hopi dancers who perform in August at the Chapin Mesa Amphitheatre, but contact the Park for specific dates, as they may change.

Park Rangers suggest visitors come earlier in the summer rather than later to avoid huge crowds, stating that July 15- August 15 are the busiest time of the year for them. The park is located roughly 200 miles southwest of Denver and 252 miles northwest of Albuquerque. Entrance fees into the park are currently $10 per vehicle, and be advised that the entrance gate is 10 miles off the highway. Guided tours are available for extra fees.

Contact Information:

Mesa Verde National Park
P.O. Box 8
Mesa Verde N.P., CO 81330
(970) 529-4465