Explore the Culture and History: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
The cliff Palace dwelling of the native Americans at Mesa Verde, Colorado 600 years ago. Recent studies reveal that Cliff Palace contained 150 rooms and 23 kivas and had a population of approximately 100 people and nearly 600 cliff dwellings.
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The primary construction materials for the cliff dwellings were sandstone, mortar, and wooden beams. The Ancestral Pueblo people shaped each sandstone block using harder stones collected from nearby river beds. The mortar between the blocks is a mixture of local soil, water, and ash.
The Cliff Palace
Cliff Palace is the largest of the cliff dwellings in the park and certainly very impressive. The amount of time and energy that went into making it is amazing! Reaching the dwellings involves walking down a pathed trail. The trail is not very steep, and if you’re able to walk a block, it shouldn’t be a problem. When we got 3/4 of the way down, the ranger had us all sit under a stone overhang to (1) cool off and catch our breath for those who needed it and (2) explain the history of the ancient Pueblo Indians who constructed them, etc. From there, we walked the remainder of the way to the actual dwellings in which the ranger explained what some of the buildings were used for. We climbed a couple very short ladders (five rungs or so), walked around within some of the dwellings and then headed out. On the way out, the trail isn’t super steep, but there is a fairly long ladder you have to climb to reach the top of the canyon and the walkway that takes you to the parking lot. The ladder is surrounded by a rock enclosure so you shouldn’t get the feeling of possibly falling or even the feeling of being high up (for those who may be afraid of heights).
This is a good tour to take if you are fearful of small places and semi-fearful of heights. Everything is basically on a low level and out in the open.
Balcony Houses
Stunning stone-age ruins framed surrounded by an incredible view of the valley below. Balcony House is just a lot of fun. The views of the valley below it are pretty spectacular and seeing these stone dwellings built 700-800 years ago using only stone tools in such a forbidding location is impressive. I’m usually not one who enjoys having to follow a guide on any trip, but the ranger who conducted our tour was amazing. The story he told about the rise and fall of the Puebloans and how their history tied into their architecture really added a lot of value to the trip. I only expected our ranger to be a babysitter since these ruins are so fragile, but his narration was an integral part of the trip
Balcony Houses hits you with Adrenaline. Looking back I don’t know how I did it, but I did climb a 30 ft long ladder. If you are scared of the height like me, my tips do not look down/below just focus on climbing. What I did is that I follow a kid climbing up the ladder. If that kid can do it, I should be able to do it.
Balcony Houses from across the canyon
Balcony Houses tunnel
Balcony Houses Entrance Ladder
Balcony Houses exit tunnel
Balcony Houses exit
Balcony Houses exit ladder
Balcony Houses Entrance Ladder
Balcony Houses Exit
Inside Balcony Houses
Balcony Houses Exit
Balcony Houses Climb Up Entrance Ladder
Balcony Houses view from the balcony
Spruce Tree House
After seeing the Cliff Palace and the Balcony Houses, you might get disappointed a little bit how small the Spruce Tree House is. It is a self-guided tour down into the dwelling, but there are very knowledgeable Park Rangers there to answer questions. This is a special place because you can climb down a short ladder into the only covered Kiva in the Park which makes this a unique experience.
Kivas are square-walled and underground, and are used for spiritual ceremonies and political meetings.
Spruce Tree House
Inside Spruce Tree House
Spruce Tree House
Going Down to a Covered Kiva Of the Spruce Tree House
Inside Down to a Covered Kiva Of the Spruce Tree House. This room is called Kiva, kivas are square-walled and underground, and are used for spiritual ceremonies and political meetings.
Amazing place! Words could never describe seeing this place or the feeling you get while being there! Wow, just wow!
The Long Houses
This is my third favorite of the cliff dwellings (Cliff Palace being the first, and Balcony House the second). Very beautiful, and easy to get around. There is a short ladder (10 feet if I remember right), a very easy climb. We really enjoyed our tour guide. He obviously knew his subject and had a good sense of humor.
The Long House
The Long House Kiva
The Long House Kiva
The Long House
Scott climbing up to the ladder
The Long House
The Long House
Step
The art of the ancient Puebloans. (Can you see there were 6 fingers?)
This one look like a Deer painting.
Seeps spring formed when the winter snowmelt. This is where they source for water.
These are called “mano” and “Metate” used to grind the corn into cornmeal
Where to Stay At Mesa Verde
FAR VIEW LODGE
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Far View Lodge
View From The Balcony
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If you are going to visit Mesa Verde National Park, and don’t want to camp, this is a great option. We stayed in the less expensive standard room. We went over peak season. The rates were reasonable considering the lodge is the only lodging in the area and is in the heart of the Park. Our view was unobstructed and spectacular.
The room was small, simple, old, but clean. The bed was uncomfortably firm, and the linens and pillows were not overly comfortable. The shower was clean, but it looked well used. The room was clean but showed a lot of wear and tear. As the website advertises there is no TV, no airconditioning, and no cell service or internet. Its the location makes it a place I’d like to revisit.
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Where to Eat
Spruce Tree Terrace Restaurant
Spruce Tree Terrace Restaurant34879 Hwy 160 Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330Very casual, typical cafe for parks but good to be there when hungry. Sandwiches, salads, burgers, hot dogs and similar stuff. Outside also a grill with some brisket and other stuff. The food is nothing special but tasty.
Far View Terrace Restaurant
Far View Terrace RestaurantLocated close to Far View Lodge and Far View Visitor Center.
Far View is a cafeteria-style restaurant. The food and drinks are good here, but its biggest attraction has to be the views. I could sit here all evening looking out and admiring the view.
The casual food-court setting features breakfast burritos and omelet station, a yogurt bar, and standard breakfast fare. For lunch, daily specials including their signature Navajo tacos, sandwiches, and salad station.
Metate Room
The Metate Room is the finest dining experience available in Mesa Verde National Park. While it’s not up to the standards of Yosemite’s Ahwahnee dining room, the food is quite good.
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Wow what a real adventure! I love these kinds of detailed travel blogs which make me wistfully stare away into nothingness while wishing the swashbuckling life were the real life! Thank you for sharing!
WOW this looks so so so awesome!!! I feel like I need to go there – it kind of makes me think of Aladdin for some reason!
Oh wow this place looks like a maze, I’ve never seen anything like it. Would love to visit such a place!
I think Masa Verde looks awesome and j would love to visit
my parents took me here when I was younger. Seeing your pictures, it still looks the same. Cool place
I have never been to Colorado, but this post has made me want to pack up and go right now!
Wow! That looks like an amazing adventure. Where do I sign up? Will be book marking this page. Thanks.
I plan to go to Colorado at some point because my boyfriend’s brother used to live there and he fell in love with that state.
Had been to Colorado but missed this park 🙁 Wasn’t aware about this.
Im so jealous I used to want to be an archaeologist!
Looks like a lot of fun.
This looks like it would be such an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing!
I heard about the beautiful mountains in Colorado and looks like this place is a must-visit! Can’t wait to visit soon.
This looks an interesting place to visit. Amazing photography.
You just made my day buddy by posting about beautiful mountains.
Thanks for sharing.
I would love to experience this. I’m an avid hiker, and this area seems very interesting just looking at the pictures.
I seriously want to go there! It’s like a secret hidden treasure.
Wow love those first pictures! so nice!
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This is absolutely amazing. I went to the oldest Pueblo in Arizona a couple of years ago and was astounded by the architecture. I know I would love this Mesa. Totally adding it to my travel list.
This place looks amazing, thanks for sharing.