cliff palace tours mesa verde

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Last updated: December 20, 2023

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Contact info, mailing address:.

PO Box 8 Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330

970-529-4465

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Mesa Verde National Park Tours

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home from 600 to 1300 CE. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.

Need to Know

Daily tours of Cliff Palace and Balcony House are scheduled to start May 6 and Square Tower House May 24. NOTE: In 2024, all Ranger-Led tours will require reservations through the Recreation.gov website or toll free number 1-877-444-6777. For more information on the variety of tours offered next season, please visit the Mesa Verde National Park Cliff Dwelling Tours page .

• During the ticket season which typically runs from May to October, tickets will go on sale 14 days in advance at 8:00 a.m MST, on a rolling daily window. For example, tickets would go on sale April 22 for tours on May 6. 
• PLAN AHEAD! All 2024 tours will require reservations. Tours are limited and sell out daily, especially on holiday and weekend dates. Cliff Palace is limited to 50, Balcony House to 35, and Square Tower House to 10 participants per tour.
• If booking more than one tour on the same day, please ensure you allow enough time to drive from one site to another and allow adequate time between tours. Please follow the suggested tour times listed on each tour page.

Important! Please either print your reservation confirmation email or save a screenshot on your mobile device before arriving at the park. You will present this to the ranger before your tour. No other ticket will be provided. Cell service is extremely limited in the park and rangers cannot access tour reservation lists.  

• All tours are appropriate for well-prepared hikers, but are strenuous, so please consider your physical health before choosing a tour/hike, espicially if you have heart or respiratory problems, or other physical difficulties.Elevations ranges between 7,000 and 7,500 feet (2134 , and 2286 m) above sea level.
• We suggest wearing sturdy shoes or boots and bring plenty of water.Your safety depends on your good judgement, adequate preperation, and constant attention.
• Children must be able to walk the extent of the trails and climb all ladders on their own without diffculty. All infants must be carried in backpacks while on tours and adults carrying children in backpacks must be able to maintain mobility and balance.
• All visitors to Mesa Verde National Park must present a pass (Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Military Pass, Interagency Access Pass, or an annual 4th Grade Pass) or pay an entrance fee upon arrival (or purchase a digital site pass in advance ).
• Please be prepared to present your hard copy pass or digital pass on your mobile device. Please also have your photo I.D. available to present to the ranger with your pass. Photo copies or digital pass images will not be accepted if you left your hard copy pass at home.
• Do you already own a pass? Mesa Verde National Park honors the Interagency Annual and lifetime Passes that are valid at multiple national park and federal sites. If you already have a valid Interagency Annual Pass, you will not be required to pay the 7-Day entrance fee. Pass holders must provide their Interagency Annual or Lifetime pass for validation or will be required to pay the entrance fee.
• Are you visiting multiple parks? Upon arrival at Mesa Verde National Park you may purchase Interagency Annual and lifetime passes that allow entry at multiple national parks and federal lands.For information about other pass options, please visit Recreation.gov " Buy a Pass" page or compare the passes at the USGS Pass Store 
• The park no longer accepts cash or checks for any entrance fees, Interagency Passes, or ticket reservations. All purchases must be made by credit card only (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Diners Club). NO CASH ON PREMISE.
• Although the park is open year-round, overnight accommodations and some areas (including Wetherill Mesa) are closed during the winter months. Be sure to check the park's Operating Hours page or pick up a Visitor Guide upon arrival for details on services available during your visit.
• The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is open from 8:30 am -4:00 pm, daily. The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum open from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm daily.

Only plain water is allowed on any tour. Candy, tobacco or gum are NOT permitted into any cliff dwelling.

Morefield Campground at Mesa Verde National Park is operated by Aramark . You may book online at Aramark's Mesa Verde website or call 1-800-449-2288. The campground will re-open April 26.

Mesa Verde National Park does not require a Timed Ticket Entry to enter the park.

Booking Windows

In 2024 tour reservations will be available 14 days in advance, 8:00 am MST, on a rolling daily window. (For example, reservations for May 6 will be available starting Apr 22 at 8:00 am MDT.  All Ranger-Led tours require a tour reservation.

Booking a reservation in advance is strongly encouraged. All tour reservations will be sold online or by calling 877-444-6777. No reservations are reserved in person. The park does not have a waiting list available. We recommend to check recration.gov for any cancellations.

Changes and Cancellations

Cancellations must be completed at least 24-hours before your scheduled tour start time for a full refund minus the non-refundable per-ticket reservation fee. Refunds will not be given for tours cancelled or modified less than 24-hours before the scheduled tour time. All reservations are NON-TRANSFERABLE AND NON-REFUNDABLE unless the tour is cancelled by the National Park Service.

Contact Information

Mailing address.

PO Box 8 Mesa Verde CO 81330

Phone Number

970-529-4465

Available Tours and Tickets

• Oak Tree House
• Square Tower House
• Balcony House
• Cliff Palace

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• 700 Years Tour
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Visit of a Lifetime

Operating dates.

• May 1 - October 20

Travel back in time with an NAI-certified interpretive guide on a comfortable tour bus to see the complete picture of the Mesa Verde habitation for 700 years. The tour takes visitors through a chronological view of the lives and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people by stopping at a variety of archeological sites. Each stop will illustrate how the people adapted both architecture and social structure to meet the changing needs of their society. The final experience is a walk down into Cliff Palace, the best known of all the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings with an NPS ranger.

• Tour Overview
• Tour Prices

Why should you take the 700 Years Tour?

Booking ahead you are guaranteed a spot on the Cliff Palace guided NPS Ranger tour. We will provide you with a comfortable air-conditioned bus ride which will led by our NAI certified guides. Let us do the driving so you have time to observe and ask questions.

A one hour tour of a cliff dwelling does not allow a visitor a chance to savor and value the total scope of the achievements of the Ancestral Puebloan people during the 700 years of habitation on the Mesa. On the bus tour they see not only views of some of the most impressive cliff dwellings in the park, but have the advantage of well-informed, engaging narrative and conversation with National Association for Interpretation guides. The four hour trip gives the visitor a personal connection to the information and with the guide, a chance to interact with other visitors and access to locals who have in depth knowledge of MVNP and the area in general.

There are over 4000 archaeological sites in the park, and the majority are not cliff dwellings. Your guide will explain the changes in architecture and social structure that impacted the pueblo people and how the lives of the ancient people are still relevant to us in modern times and how their descendants inhabit the area to this day. 

NOTE: Far View Terrace is located approximately 30 minutes from the park entrance. Please plan ahead when trying to make your tour departure time. 

In-Person Tour Reservations

If you are interested in reserving your tour in person please refer to the locations below.

Our 700 Years Tour is our most popular Mesa Verde Tour - so book early. And don't forget to bring your camera in order to take home more than just memories.

Park Entrance Fee

Tour reviews.

The 700 year tour was super due to the enthusiasm of the guide and ranger. I've been to Mesa Verde before but the 700 year tour made it the ultimate trip. - Guest Testimonial

The 700 year tour was exceptional beyond description and the guide was truly well informed in every way. - Guest Testimonial

Payment Policy

Full payment for tour will be processed at time of booking.

Cancel Policy

Tour seats must be canceled 72 hours prior to tour departure in order to receive a full refund. Cancelling within 72 hours of tour departure will forfeit the value of the tickets.