Mesa Verde National Park
Ranked #2,598 in Travel & Places, #85,780 overall
A Glimpse Into the Ancient Civilization of the Puebloans at Mesa Verde National Park
Nowhere else in America can there be found such an intricate and telling glimpse into the past of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. With hundreds of ancient cliff dwellings, the Puebloans found an ideal mesa that had protection, forest surroundings, and natural shelter from the elements. Today, the ruins of this civilization can be found and explored in southwestern Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park. Read on to find out more about the enigmatic Cliff Palace, photographs, and where to stay near the park.
Photo by Scott Ingram Photography licensed under Creative Commons 2.0
Mesa Verde National Park Facts
Facts about the Pueblan people, the cliff dwellings, and establishment of the park
- Mesa Verde is Spanish for "green table land"
- The park is located in the Four Corners region of the USA, in southwestern Colorado
- Spanish explorers came very close to the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings in the 1760's and 1770's, but never actually saw them.
- The park was observed by prospector John Moss in 1873.
- The ruins of Cliff Palace were subject to much looting before the area was declared a National Park on June 29, 1906
- Richard Wetherill accidentally wandered upon the Cliff Palace in 1888 looking for stray cattle.
- Cliff Palace has 150 rooms and 23 kivas, rooms used for spiritual ceremonies.
- The Ancestral Pueblo pueple inhabited the structures from 600 - 1300 A.D.
- There are over 4,000 archeological sites protected within Mesa Verde National Park
The Current Weather in Mesa Verde National Park
Normally, the weather is dry and warm in most months...
Current weather conditions in Mesa Verde Natl Park, CO (81330)
Local Pollen Reports
45°F (Feels like 43°F)
Last update: 6/3/12 3:53 AM MDT
Humidity: 53%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 29°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.03in steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 5mph From: Airport Conditions

Today
Fair
High: 85°F
Low: 53°F
Sunrise: 5:55 AM
Sunset: 8:30 PM

Monday
Jun 4
Mostly Sunny
High: 85°F
Low: 52°F
Sunrise: 5:54 AM
Sunset: 8:31 PM

Tuesday
Jun 5
Isolated T-Storms
High: 85°F
Low: 49°F
Sunrise: 5:54 AM
Sunset: 8:31 PM

Wednesday
Jun 6
Mostly Sunny
High: 82°F
Low: 48°F
Sunrise: 5:54 AM
Sunset: 8:32 PM
Places to Stay Near Mesa Verde National Park
Hotels and accomodations near the park
>Mesa Verde is close to the town of Cortez, Colorado. This area is rather remote, but other local attractions in the area like Ute Mountain Indian Reservation and Hovenweep National Monument make it a worthy destination on your tour of America's southwest. The town of Cortez has many places to stay the night and day while you're touring the ruins. Here's some of the best hotels in the area:
Holiday Inn Express Cortez, Cortez,CO
Rated the #1 hotel in Cortez on Trip Advisor! Boasts clean rooms, beautiful surroundings, helpful staff, and convenience close to the park.
Days Inn Cortez, Cortez,CO
A great base camp for the Mesa Verde area, this hotel is clean, convenient, and close to the attractions.
Best Western Turquoise Inn And Suites, Cortez,CO
Another clean and comfortable stay has been had by many at the #4 rated hotel in Cortez, with an updated look and everyone's favorite, make-your-own waffles!
Super 8 Motel - Cortez/Mesa Verde Area, Cortez,CO
Like all Super 8 motels, the price is excellent, and they focus on savings and budget friendly stays while providing, clean, basic rooms for easy in/out accomodations.
More Hotels Near Mesa Verde National Park

Photo by BenFrantzDale licensed under Creative Commons 2.5, 2.0, and 1.0
Southwest USA and Las Vegas Travel Guide
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide spotlight on the southwestern region
The reason I've chosen to highlight this amazing book by DK Eyewitness is for its in-depth reviews and tips on each region of the southwest, along with an easy flip-to format that makes it easy to scan. The perfectly illustrated photo pages give great ideas on what to do and see, and will help plan your entire trip to the southwest. I've used this guide on several occasions, and it's the ideal size for travel (around 10" tall, 5" wide), so you can take it anywhere.
Southwest USA & Las Vegas (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Amazon Price: $10.83 (as of 06/02/2012)![]()
Used Price: $1.06
* Over 1,000 photographs, illustrations and maps
* Cutaways and floor plans of all major sights
* Scenic routes and the thematic tours across the region
* Where to eat, where to stay, and how to get around
Cliff Palace
Cliff Palace has undergone changes to make the structure look more like it did before human interference and weathering. As it stands today is more indicative of the original structure from hundreds of years ago.
Cliff Palace as it Looked in 1891
Note the ruins on the ground compared to the modern Cliff Palace

Cliff Palace as it Looks Today
After cleaning up and restoring the Cliff Palace

Photographer: Andreas F. Borchert
Location: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Description: Cliff Palace, as seen from the trail leading to it.
Date: September 12th, 2006
Reference: 2006/0996
Photo licensed under Creative Commons 3.0, 2.5, 2.0 and 1.0
Mesa Verde National Park : Life Earth Sky
A beautiful guide to Mesa Verde
The ancient ruins that the Native Americans of Mesa Verde have left behind for us to view provide a unique and important glimpse into the past of not just Colorado, but the entire continent. This book goes into photographic detail why this park is such an amazing destination in the southwest, and has captures incredible, breathtaking shots of the brick architecture.
Mesa Verde National Park: Life Earth Sky
Amazon Price: $43.99 (as of 06/02/2012)![]()
Plan out your sightseeing trip to Mesa Verde National Park with this wonderfully illustrated informative travel guide. Included are historical facts and incredible photos of the park and ruins.
Where is Mesa Verde?
Zoom in our out to see greater detail on this map
Located in the four corners region of the southwest,
A visit to Mesa Verde National Park is often combined with sightseeing trips to Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyon de Chelly, and Chaco Culture Historic Park.
Recommended Books on the Southwest Area and Mesa Verde
Discover the beauty of the southwest!
America's southwest is truly an area that can be explored for weeks, if not months, to see just a small amount of this vast area. The beautiful canyons, deserts, valleys, mountain scenery, and wildlife are something you will never forget. These books offer a great encapsulation and sampling of what this beautiful land has to offer.
Mesa Verde Video of the Ruins
Photos of Mesa Verde National Park
Clickable posters and images of Cliff Palace the ancient dwellings
The Latest Blog News About Mesa Verde National Park
Read more information from the blog world about this beautifully preserved area of Colorado!
- Mesa Verde National Park receives grant to help develop winter snowshoe, ski ...
- MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, Colo. ? Mesa Verde National Park has won a grant to help create snowshoe and ski trails to some of its more remote ruins, so people can better enjoy the park in the winter. The National Park Foundation is granting the park ...
- Mesa Verde grant seen as help to draw winter traffic
- By Rachel Karas Mesa Verde National Park will receive nearly $10000 from the National Park Foundation to fund its new winter exploration program, which will allow visitors to enjoy the sites year-round by creating snowshoe and ski trails to outlying ...
- Colorado's Great Places Map
- Mesa Verde National Park protects remnants of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived on the mesa from AD 600 to 1300 including 600 cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde is a must see place in Colorado and is one of Colorado's Great Places. Mesa Verde is most ...
- Watch eclipse of sun at Mesa Verde National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park is where there should be good viewing the ?ring of fire,? weather permitting. The eclipse will occur as the moon crosses in front of the sun, according to a written release from the national park. The resulting shadow that ...
More Lenses in the Grand Circle
Experience the beautiful southwestern states of the U.S.
Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon is located in the southwestern portion of Utah, and is home to the famous red and white hoodoos spire formations, with remarkable hiking trails and scenic opportunities.
Capitol Reef National ParkA 70 mile wrinkle in the earth's crust resulted in the massive Capitol Reef area and National Park. Giant sandstone domes line the tops of this beautiful Utah plateau.
Canyonlands National ParkWind and water carved stone resulted in the area near Arches known as Canyonlands. The area boasts impressive, wide canyons, unique desert wildlife, and unmatched hiking.
Zion National ParkThe majestic Zion region has been eroded over time by the Virgin River, which slims down to the challenging hiking area of the Narrows.
Mesa Verde National ParkRemnants of a long lost culture can be found in the Colorado ruins of Mesa Verde National Park. Visit to gaze upon the incredible Puebloan Cliff Palace and ancient petroglyphs.
Monument ValleyDeep in the four corners region of the southwest is the often filmed Monument Valley reservation area. Now under the rule of the Navajo tribe, the area is open for touring, hiking and photography.
Arches National ParkSee the most natural sandstone arches anywhere in the world in Arches National Park of Moab, Utah. Erosion has left thousands of these unique stone structures standing in the park.
Black Canyon of the GunnisonDeep, black canyons leave a lasting impression in Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison, with an impressive 2700 foot drop over into the Gunnison River.
Great Basin National ParkGreat Basin National Park contains the beautiful underground Lehman's Cave, and the mammoth peak of Mount Wheeler. Hike the area from its 13,000 feet peak, to beneath the earth's surface.
The Grand CanyonThe Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world, with an unforgettable hiking, photography, and road trip experience.
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mbgphoto Mar 28, 2011 @ 8:35 pm | delete
- Very cool...blessed and added to my United states travel angel lens.
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grannysage Dec 12, 2009 @ 7:58 pm | delete
- I love this park. I've been there twice but it feels like I've been there before. I am particularly drawn to the Sun Temple. I am so glad this history has been preserved as a national park. I've camped there in the spring too.....very cold!
Great lens, great pictures
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NatureMaven
Apr 27, 2009 @ 2:21 pm | delete
- This is a great travel lens! 5***** Thanks for visiting me in Baltimore's Best Gardens, Kiwi!
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mulberry
Apr 18, 2009 @ 3:23 am | delete
- Wonderful photos! I've been here, and it is indeed a great travel destination.
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WebSpinstress
Apr 16, 2009 @ 11:55 am | delete
- Mesa Verda is an incredible place - and definitely one of my favorite past travel destinations. Beautiful photos and excellent resource! 5*'s and favorited. :-)
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Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde as seen from above
by kiwisoutback
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