Cliff Palace. Photo: NPS Photo
- Entrance
- $20–$30 per car
- Nonresident fee
- None
- Park annual pass
- $55, U.S. residents
- Payment
- Card only, no cash
Work out the cost for your group
About Mesa Verde
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.
Things to do
Photos
Step House Photo: NPS Photo 
Balcony House Photo: NPS Photo 
Square Tower House Photo: NPS Photo 
View of Spruce Tree House Photo: NPS Photo 
Spruce Tree House Photo: NPS Photo
Entrance fees
| Type | Price | Valid for | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 | 7 days | May 1 – Oct 22 |
| Private vehicle | $20 | 7 days | Oct 23 – Apr 30 |
| Per person, 16 and over | $15 | 7 days | May 1 – Oct 22 |
| Per person, 16 and over | $15 | 7 days | Oct 23 – Dec 31 |
Park annual pass
Details: Fee good for a year, beginning from the date of sale.
A park's own annual pass is sold to U.S. citizens and residents only. A U.S. resident who holds one covers everyone in their private vehicle, including nonresident passengers.
Reservations
NPS lists no entry reservation for this park as of October 26, 2026. Campgrounds and tours may still need booking.
Weather and seasons
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.
Hours
The park is open daily except for emergency conditions. The Visitor & Research Center and Mesa Verde Museum are open all year but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. 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. Cliff 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.
Getting there
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.
Campgrounds
Visitor centers
Alerts
- Information: Road Construction
