{"id":"nps-meve","slug":"mesa-verde-national-park","name":"Mesa Verde National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"MEVE","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-meve"}],"states":["CO"],"stateNames":["Colorado"],"location":{"lat":37.23908345,"lon":-108.4624032},"bbox":[-108.5547,37.1564,-108.3396,37.3505],"acres":{"value":53802,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[{"id":"ppl-p-mesa-verde-national-park","type":"protected","label":"Protected by T.R.","date":"1906-06-29","then":"Mesa Verde National Park","thenKind":"national park","text":"As President, Theodore Roosevelt signed the act creating it (1906-06-29).","note":"The first national park set aside to preserve the works of people: the cliff dwellings and mesa-top villages of the Ancestral Puebloans. Roosevelt signed the act on June 29, 1906.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/mesa-verde-national-park-colorado.htm","name":"nps.gov"},{"url":"https://npshistory.com/publications/annual_reports/meve/1909b.htm","name":"npshistory.com"},{"url":"https://www.craterlakeinstitute.com/general-natural-history-articles/general-natural-history-articles-index/report-on-crater-lake-and-others-1907/","name":"craterlakeinstitute.com"},{"name":"Roosevelt’s Public Lands","url":"https://publiclands.labs.trlibrary.com/#place=p-mesa-verde-national-park"}],"dataset":"publiclands","reviewed":true}],"trTypes":["protected"],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=37.3505&b_tl_lng=-108.5547&b_br_lat=37.1564&b_br_lng=-108.3396","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Mesa%20Verde%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7C0089-1DD8-B71B-0BC397BA671C0616.jpg","title":"Cliff Palace","alt":"Large cliff dwelling in cliff alcove","caption":"Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde's Largest Cliff Dwelling","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7C0207-1DD8-B71B-0B74281D9C40EAB9.jpg","title":"Step House","alt":"Park visitors visiting a cliff dwelling","caption":"Visitors enjoying Step House, on Wetherill Mesa","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7C0371-1DD8-B71B-0B50861380661D68.jpg","title":"Balcony House","alt":"A cliff dwelling within a cliff alcove seen from across a canyon","caption":"View of Balcony House from the Soda Canyon Overlook","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7C04EC-1DD8-B71B-0BD94A784A808041.jpg","title":"Square Tower House","alt":"View of cliff dwelling from above a canyon","caption":"Square Tower House from overlook along the Mesa Top Loop","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7C0716-1DD8-B71B-0B441C4B55F42D92.jpg","title":"View of Spruce Tree House","alt":"View of cliff dwelling from across canyon","caption":"Spruce Tree House","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7C0874-1DD8-B71B-0B223C1FF22A5351.jpg","title":"Spruce Tree House","alt":"Within a cliff dwelling","caption":"Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde's third largest and best preserved cliff dwelling","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/843DFA61-1DD8-B71B-0B2CA37EAC5F6718.jpg","title":"Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center","alt":"Visitor center entrance with sculpture of Ancestral Pueblo climber in front plaza.","caption":"Stop by the Mesa Verde Visitor & Research Center at the park entrance where park staff will help you plan your visit.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Road Biking","Camping","Food","Guided Tours","Hiking","Junior Ranger Program","Skiing","Cross-Country Skiing","Snowshoeing","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Archeology","Cliff Dwellings","Native American Heritage","Schools and Education","Animals","Climate Change","Fire","Forests and Woodlands","Geology","Night Sky","Trails"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"30.00","description":"Valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"25.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"Valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"20.00","description":"Purchase digital park entrance passes on recreation.gov at no additional cost. Once purchased, passes for Mesa Verde National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone is highly recommended.\n\nPasses, including the America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, or Senior pass may be purchased at the entrance station upon arrival."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"Purchase digital park entrance passes on recreation.gov at no additional cost. Once purchased, passes for Mesa Verde National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone is highly recommended.\n\nPasses, including the America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, or Senior pass may be purchased at the entrance station upon arrival."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"15.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"55.00","description":"Details: Fee good for a year, beginning from the date of sale."}],"hours":[{"name":"Mesa Verde National Park Hours","description":"The park is open daily except for emergency conditions. Ancestral sites, picnic areas, and trails are open 8 am to sunset. Some park areas including Wetherill Mesa, campground, and other visitor services are closed during winter.\n\nCliff dwelling tours are mid-May through late October. Reservations are required and available 14 days in advance of tour date online at www.recreation.gov.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Mesa Verde National Park is in Southwest Colorado. The park entrance and the Visitor and Research Center are located ten miles east of Cortez, nine miles west of Mancos, and about 35 miles west of Durango, Colorado along Hwy 160. Mesa top ancestral sites, Cliff dwellings, tours, and the Mesa Verde Museum are 20 to 21 miles (approximately 45 minutes) south along the park road which which is steep, narrow, and winding.","weatherInfo":"SPRING: This season offers a range of weather including clear skies, wind, rain, cloudy days and temperatures from 40–70°F (4–21° C). Snow may fall into May. SUMMER: Most days are sunny and temperatures can reach above 90°F (32°C) . Thunderstorms are common in July and August. FALL: Temperatures range from 50–75°F (10–24°C). Snow may fall as early as October. WINTER: Temps range from the teens to low 30s F (below -1°C) . Icy roads are common. Snow tires, all-wheel drive, or chains may be required.","contacts":{"phone":"970-529-4465","email":"meve_general_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center","description":"Located at the park entrance, off Highway 160, this is the park’s primary facility for orienting visitors to opportunities within the park and surrounding area. Accessible exhibits explore the richness of Ancestral Pueblo culture and daily life. The Mesa Verde Museum Association Park Store offers books, trail guides, maps, and other items that you may find useful during or after your visit, and free Wi-Fi. Restrooms are located near the entrance to the visitor center.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/meve_vc.htm","lat":37.3359733613,"lon":-108.408172039},{"name":"Mesa Verde Museum","description":"Located at milepost 20, the Mesa Verde Mesa Museum offers exhibits and cultural objects that provide insight into the Ancestral Pueblo lifeways. An orientation film is shown on the hour and half-hour, providing an excellent overview of the history at Mesa Verde. A museum store, water, restrooms, café, gift shop, and post office are all located nearby. Just behind the museum is a stunning view of Spruce Tree House, the third largest and best-preserved cliff dwelling in the park.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/museum.htm","lat":37.18453,"lon":-108.488294}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Morefield Campground","description":"Morefield Campground is four miles from the park entrance. The 267 campsites are situated within a high-elevation, grassy canyon filled with Gambel oak, native flowers, deer, and wild turkeys. Each site has a picnic table, gravel tent pad, and fire pit/BBQ grill. A camp store offers registration, food, and camp supplies. Firewood, gasoline, showers, a coin-operated laundromat, and a kennel are located nearby. The campground is managed by park concessioner Aramark and is open between spring and fall.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.visitmesaverde.com/lodging-and-camping/mesa-verde-lodging-experience","sites":267}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"yucca-house-national-monument","km":20},{"slug":"canyons-of-the-ancients-national-monument","km":45},{"slug":"hovenweep-national-monument","km":51},{"slug":"aztec-ruins-national-monument","km":61},{"slug":"san-juan-national-forest","km":77},{"slug":"chimney-rock-national-monument","km":103}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=meve"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.618Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Road Construction","text":"Road work will begin on the first four miles of the Main Park Road during the week of September 20 - 26. Expect delays up to 15 minutes. Far View Sites and Cedar Tree Tower are closed for road improvements.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/maps.htm","updated":"2026-10-26 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-AB7B6104-EAA7-4393-B075-27E5FC821878"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Limited Drinking Water Filling","text":"Limited drinking water filling is available during the winter season. Bring enough water with you for your visit.","url":null,"updated":"2026-10-26 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-5D4A6C5C-BF61-4BA8-AAE9-E7947E049CCA"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/mesa-verde-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/mesa-verde-national-park.geojson"}