Where is Mesa Verde Cliff Palace, Cortez, Colorado?

Written by | Updated On: December 08, 2025, 13:55 ET

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

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 NameCliff Palace – Mesa Verde National Park
LocationMesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA
Latitude & Longitude37.1670° N, 108.9647° W
Site TypeAncestral Puebloan Cliff Dwelling
Construction PeriodBuilt between AD 1190–1280
Civilization / CultureAncestral Puebloans (Anasazi)
Managed ByU.S. National Park Service (NPS)
RegionSouthwestern Colorado – Four Corners Region
Total RoomsApprox. 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
DesignationUNESCO World Heritage Site (Since 1978)
National Park EstablishmentMesa Verde National Park established in 1906
Access TypeGuided Tour Required (Seasonal Ranger-Led Tours)
Entry FeeNational Park Entrance Fee Applies
Best Time to VisitMay–October (tour season for cliff dwellings)
Nearby AirportDurango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) – approx. 47 miles (76 km)
Nearest TownsCortez, Colorado – Mancos, Colorado
Famous ForLargest cliff dwelling in North America, stone masonry, kivas, multistory architecture
Time ZoneMountain Time (MT) – UTC−7 Standard / UTC−6 Daylight Saving
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Official Websitehttps://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)