Mesa Verde Cliff Palace is located in southwestern Colorado, USA, inside Mesa Verde National Park.It lies between the canyons of Cliff Canyon and Fewkes Canyon, situated in the Mesa Verde plateau area, and is famous for its ancient cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans.
Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Location Map, Cortez, Colorado
Colorado Maps and Info
Top Attractions Inside Mesa Verde Cliff Palace
- Cliff Palace – Largest cliff dwelling in North America with over 150 rooms and kivas.
- Cliff Palace Overlook – Scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the entire dwelling.
- Ranger-Guided Tours – Expert-led tours providing insights into Ancestral Puebloan life and architecture.
- Kiva Structures – Circular ceremonial rooms showcasing traditional Puebloan design.
- Stone Masonry Walls – Remarkably preserved walls illustrating advanced ancient craftsmanship.
- Surrounding Canyon Views – Dramatic canyon scenery visible from trails and overlooks near the site.
Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Facts
| Official Name | Cliff Palace – Mesa Verde National Park |
| Location | Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA |
| Latitude & Longitude | 37.1670° N, 108.9647° W |
| Site Type | Ancestral Puebloan Cliff Dwelling |
| Construction Period | Built between AD 1190–1280 |
| Civilization / Culture | Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) |
| Managed By | U.S. National Park Service (NPS) |
| Region | Southwestern Colorado – Four Corners Region |
| Total Rooms | Approx. 150 rooms |
| Kivas | 23 kivas (ceremonial chambers) |
| Population (Historical) | Estimated 100–120 residents at its peak |
| Elevation | 7,000 ft (2,133 m) above sea level |
| Designation | UNESCO World Heritage Site (Since 1978) |
| National Park Establishment | Mesa Verde National Park established in 1906 |
| Access Type | Guided Tour Required (Seasonal Ranger-Led Tours) |
| Entry Fee | National Park Entrance Fee Applies |
| Best Time to Visit | May–October (tour season for cliff dwellings) |
| Nearby Airport | Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) – approx. 47 miles (76 km) |
| Nearest Towns | Cortez, Colorado – Mancos, Colorado |
| Famous For | Largest cliff dwelling in North America, stone masonry, kivas, multistory architecture |
| Time Zone | Mountain Time (MT) – UTC−7 Standard / UTC−6 Daylight Saving |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD, $) |
| Official Website | https://www.nps.gov/meve |
Distances from Mesa Verde Cliff Palace to Nearby Landmarks
- Balcony House – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Spruce Tree House – 6 km (3.7 mi)
- Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center – 21 km (13 mi)
- Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum – 6 km (3.7 mi)
- Sun Temple – 2 km (1.2 mi)
- Square Tower House – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Far View Sites – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Park Point Overlook – 18 km (11 mi)
- Morefield Campground – 17 km (11 mi)
- Cedar Tree Tower – 13 km (8.1 mi)
- Wetherill Mesa – 22 km (14 mi)
- Step House – 24 km (15 mi)
- Long House – 25 km (16 mi)
- Mancos, Colorado – 29 km (18 mi)
- Cortez, Colorado – 38 km (24 mi)
- Dolores, Colorado – 50 km (31 mi)
- Anasazi Heritage Center – 55 km (34 mi)
- Four Corners Monument – 71 km (44 mi)
- Ute Mountain Tribal Park – 48 km (30 mi)
- Durango, Colorado – 69 km (43 mi)
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