Rate Mesa Verde National Park
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Park
Operating Hours & Seasons
Mesa Verde National Park Hours
Mesa Verde’s main park road is open 24-hours a day, although activities and services within the park are primarily limited to daytime hours. Please note that lodging and camping is available from mid-April to mid-October. Please visit http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/hours.htm for more information.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $20.00 – Mesa Verde Entrance Fee – Per Vehicle – Summer Season
This is a per-vehicle entrance fee for the summer season (May 1 to October 31, 2017). It is valid for seven days from the day of purchase. Please note that we offer fee waivers for qualified education groups. Visit http://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/education/feewaiver_info.htm to learn more. - $10.00 – Mesa Verde Entrance Fee – Per Person – Summer Season
This is a per-person (bicyclist and individual) entrance fee for the summer season (May 1 to October 31, 2017). It is valid for seven days from the day of purchase. Please note that we offer fee waivers for qualified education groups. Visit http://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/education/feewaiver_info.htm to learn more. - $15.00 – Mesa Verde Entrance Fee – Per Vehicle – Fall/Winter/Spring
This is a per-vehicle entrance fee for fall/winter/spring (January 2 to April 30, 2017 and November 1 to December 31, 2017). It is valid for seven days from the day of purchase. Please note that we offer fee waivers for qualified education groups. Visit http://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/education/feewaiver_info.htm to learn more. - $7.00 – Mesa Verde Entrance Fee – Per Person – Fall/Winter/Spring
This is a per-person (bicyclist and individual) entrance fee for fall/winter/spring (January 2 to April 30, 2017 and November 1 to December 31, 2017). It is valid for seven days from the day of purchase. Please note that we offer fee waivers for qualified education groups. Visit http://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/education/feewaiver_info.htm to learn more.
Entrance Passes:
- $40.00 – Mesa Verde Annual Pass
The annual pass provides entrance into Mesa Verde National Park for a year, beginning from the date of sale. It covers the entrance fee for the pass holder and anyone in his/her vehicle.
About
Preserving the “Works of Man”
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 AD 600 to 1300. Today the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.
Directions
Mesa Verde National Park is in Southwestern Colorado. The park entrance is along Highway 160, between the towns of of Cortez and Mancos, Colorado. (10 miles east of Cortez; 9 miles west of Mancos; and about 35 miles west of Durango, Colorado.) Once you enter the park, the first view of a cliff dwelling is 21 miles (approximately 45 minutes) along a steep, narrow, and winding road.
Visitor Centers
Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
Located at the park entrance, off Highway 160, this facility serves as the park’s primary facility for orienting visitors to opportunities within the park and surrounding area. Be sure to make the visitor center your first stop if you wish to visit Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or Long House to purchase tour tickets (offered seasonally). Exhibits offer glimpses into the richness of Ancestral Puebloan culture and daily life.
Weather
Spring: Temps range from 40 F to 70 F, but snowstorms can occur as late as May. Summer: Temps can reach well into the 90s F. Thunderstorms are common in July and August. Be prepared to bring and DRINK plenty of water. Fall: Temps can range from 50 F to 75 F. Snowstorms can occur as early as October. Winter: Temps can range from the teens to low 30s F. Icy roads are common. Snow tires, all-wheel drive, or chains, may be required. Be prepared with water, snacks, and layers of warm clothing.
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