Mesa Verde National Park - Colorado

Address:Mesa Verde, Colorado
Tel: (970) 529-4465

Mesa Verde is home to some of the greatest, most well-preserved archeological treasures in the United States. Ancient Puebloan rock villages and cliff dwellings adorn the ridges and valleys throughout the park. Cliff Palace, the largest and perhaps the most elaborate cliff dwellings, showcases sophisticated construction, which includes about 220 separate rooms and 23 kivas (ceremonial sites). There are several other major sites as well.
The Petroglyph Point Trail is the only trail where you can check out ancient petroglyphs. Many other trails and hikes are available but not all are open year-round so it's best to check with the park before planning a visit. Camping is another popular activity in Mesa Verde.

The archeological sites found in Mesa Verde are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. Mesa Verde National Park offers visitors a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Scientists study the ancient dwellings of Mesa Verde, in part, by making comparisons between the Ancestral Pueblo people and their contemporary indigenous descendants who still live in the Southwest today. Twenty-four Native American tribes in the southwest have an ancestral affiliation with the sites at Mesa Verde.