Where is Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings, Mesa Verde, Colorado?

Written by | Updated On: December 09, 2025, 14:28 ET

Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings are located in southwestern Colorado, USA. They lie between deep canyons and high mesa tops and are situated in a dry, rocky desert-mountain area. They are famous for ancient homes built into cliffs by the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings Location Map, Mesa Verde, Colorado

Top Attractions Inside Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings

  • Cliff Palace – The largest and most famous cliff dwelling with over 150 rooms.
  • Balcony House – A dramatic, ladder-accessed dwelling known for its adventurous guided tours.
  • Spruce Tree House – Well-preserved dwellings set in a large natural alcove (viewable seasonally).
  • Long House – Expansive cliff dwelling featuring kivas and communal spaces.
  • Step House – A unique site showing both basketmaker and pueblo-era structures.
  • Sun Point View – Offers panoramic views of multiple cliff dwellings across Cliff Canyon.
  • Mesa Top Loop Road – Scenic drive with overlooks and archaeological sites showcasing early mesa-top villages.

Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings Facts

Official NameMesa Verde Cliff Dwellings – Mesa Verde National Park
LocationMontezuma County, near Cortez, Colorado, USA
Latitude & Longitude37.2309° N, 108.4618° W
Total Area~52,485 acres (21,240 hectares)
Founded / EstablishedNational Park Established on June 29, 1906
FounderAncient Puebloan (Ancestral Pueblo People), park established by U.S. Government
Managed ByU.S. National Park Service (NPS)
RegionSouthwestern Colorado – Four Corners Region
AddressMesa Verde National Park, Colorado 81330, USA
Zip Code81330
Area Code970
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZoneMountain Time (MT) — UTC−7 Standard / UTC−6 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptAncestral Puebloan History, Archaeology, Cliff Dwellings, Cultural Heritage
Major Sites (Dwellings)Cliff Palace – Balcony House – Spruce Tree House – Long House – Step House
Famous AttractionsCliff Palace Tours – Balcony House Ladders – Mesa Top Loop Road – Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum
Annual VisitorsApprox. 550,000 to 600,000 visitors per year
Entry Fee TypePaid Admission – National Park Entrance Fee Required
Ticket Price Range~$20–$30 per vehicle (seasonal), additional guided dwelling tour fees apply
Ticket OptionsSelf-Drive Park Entry – Ranger-Guided Cliff Palace Tour – Balcony House Tour – Private Tour Permits
Best Time to VisitMay–October (warm weather & full access); winter access is limited
Nearby AirportDurango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) – ~36 miles (58 km)
TransportationPrivate Vehicle – Tour Buses – Park Shuttles (seasonal) – Scenic Drives within Mesa Top
Official Websitehttps://www.nps.gov/meve

Distances from Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings to Nearby Landmarks

  • Cliff Palace – 2 km (1.2 mi)
  • Balcony House – 3 km (1.9 mi)
  • Spruce Tree House – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center – 24 km (15 mi)
  • Park Point Fire Lookout – 9 km (5.6 mi)
  • Sun Temple – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
  • Far View Sites Complex – 8 km (5 mi)
  • Soda Canyon Overlook – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Museum at Mesa Verde (Chapin Mesa) – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Knife Edge Trail – 23 km (14 mi)
  • Morefield Campground – 20 km (12 mi)
  • Cortez, Colorado – 16 km (10 mi)
  • Mancos, Colorado – 21 km (13 mi)
  • Durango, Colorado – 60 km (37 mi)
  • Hovenweep National Monument – 65 km (40 mi)