![National Park Service Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/parkblackband.gif) |
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![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
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Mesa Verde National Park
Plan Your Visit
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
![Welcome to Mesa Verde sign at entrance to park Welcome to Mesa Verde sign at entrance to park](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/images/pyv_entrance_200.gif) |
NPS Photo | Entrance sign |
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Whether you are spending a half-day or three days, preplanning will help you make the most of your visit to Mesa Verde National Park. Check out Things To Know Before You Come for help.
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![View of Cliff Palace with snow at the base of the alcove View of Cliff Palace with snow at the base of the alcove](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/images/pyv_cliffpalace_200.gif) |
NPS Photo | Cliff Palace |
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Mesa Verde is always open, but opportunities vary from season to season. Visit the Operating Hours & Seasons page for park schedule information. And look for a Visitor Guide on the Brochures page to see what will be available during your trip.
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![Map of the Chapin Mesa area Map of the Chapin Mesa area](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/images/pyv_maps_200.gif) |
NPS Photo | Map of Chapin Mesa |
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Are you looking for Wetherill Mesa? Planning a hike on the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail or a visit to Cliff Palace? Perhaps you just want to know how far it is to drive from the park entrance to see Spruce Tree House. A map might be just the thing you need. Take a look at the Maps page.
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![View of Spruce Tree House View of Spruce Tree House](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/images/pyv_sth2_200.gif) |
NPS Photo | Spruce Tree House |
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Mesa Verde is famous for the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings constructed within its cliff alcoves. A trip to Mesa Verde would not be complete without a visit to one of these culturally significant sites. The Cliff Dwellings page explains what sites are open, and whether they are available on a self-guided or guided-tour only basis.
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![School group on trail School group on trail](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/images/pyv_school_200.gif) |
NPS Photo | Visitors on trail |
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Are you a teacher planning a field-trip to Mesa Verde? Check out the planning information on the For Teachers page.
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| ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) |
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![Image of front page of the Mesa Verde Visitor Guide Image of front page of the Mesa Verde Visitor Guide](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/MEVE_highlight_newspaper.jpg) Visitor Guide The park visitor guides and trip planner may be downloaded. more... | | ![Ranger speaking to visitors at the park Ranger speaking to visitors at the park](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/MEVE_ulejos98_highlight_selfguided.jpg) Can't Decide What To Do While At Mesa Verde? Here are some suggestions for making the most of your time in the park. more... | | ![Mesa Verde Museum Association Logo Mesa Verde Museum Association Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/MEVE_mvma_65x65.gif) Mesa Verde Museum Association publishes guide booklets, scientific monographs and is a major source for park library publications. more... | | ![ARAMARK logo ARAMARK logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/MEVE_de23g0r4_aramark_logo.jpg) ARAMARK/Mesa Verde Company for information on lodging and camping reservations more... | |
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![View of the House of Many Windows cliff dwelling View of the House of Many Windows cliff dwelling](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509061929im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/MEVE_fewrooms_dyk.jpg) |
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Did You Know?
Ninety percent of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings contain 10 rooms or less. One-third have only one or two rooms. This should help to put the more famous cliff dwellings of Cliff Palace (150 rooms), Long House (150 rooms), Spruce Tree House (130 rooms), and Balcony House (40 rooms) into perspective.
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Last Updated: December 20, 2006 at 16:14 EST |