Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects over 4,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.¹

East of Cortez and near the Four Corners, the park spans over 80 square miles and offers tourists trails for hiking, grounds for camping, lodging, and food.

There are several popular attractions in Mesa Verde National Park. Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the United States, is a large ruin constructed within the recess of a sandstone cliff containing up to 30 living quarters which may have been home to over a hundred people.² This impressive well-preserved structure is one of the Park's many highlights.

Other attractions include the Reservoirs, Spruce Tree House, another popular cliff dwelling; and Square Tower House.

Mesa Verde National Park entrance fees vary and guided tours are available. You can learn more about planning your trip to Mesa Verde at the Park's official website: http://www.nps.gov/meve/