Mesa Verde National Park

A very special and unique part of the Four Corners region of the United States are the many achaelogical sites and cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde National Park is home to two of the most impressive we have ever seen, and probably ever will. Cliff Palace and Balcony House are two well-preserved historical sites where Ancestral Puebloans called home approximately 800 years ago. Cliff Palace is aptly named. I exclaimed outloud when I first saw it, I could not believe how large it was, the intricate architecture, and how beautiful it was. Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America, numbering 150 rooms and 21 kivas. 

While the Cliff Palace is expansive and like a small city, the Balcony House has a spectacular view from being set higher up within the cliff face. Though smaller, the site is just as interesting in the details of the architecture, engineering, and layout. Accessing and departing is an mini-adventure and thrill, it is not for those who are fearful of ladder climbing or heights.   

The two Rangers that led our tours were highly knowledgeable. We really enjoyed learning about the history, traditions, and more about the Ancestral Puebloans and what their lives were like as they built and inhabited these two sites. We left with a true respect and reverence for the resilience, skill, adaptability, and culture of the people that made this area their home. 

Tours are run generally May through October. There are set times and, as of present day, you can buy your tickets 14 days in advance of the date you wish to complete the tour. In our experience, most tours and permitted experiences like this sell out shortly upon tickets being released. Be on the website and ready to purchase at the time of release. I’m talking the very minute the reservation window opens. Click on the link below to be directed to recreation.gov, where you will need to create an account and purchase your tour tickets.

Difficulty: Cliff Palace is mild in general with very short, moderate incline ladder climbs. Balcony House is more strenous, not related to distance, but due to a long and steep ladder climb to initially access the site, then crouching and crawling through a small tunnel to enter and exit, then a trek up Moqui steps on an exposed cliff face in order to leave. Click on the link below to be directed to the National Park’s website and their full description of potential physical challenge considerations.

Please note, both of these hikes are at a higher elevation (7000 feet plus), so you will need to consider the impact of elevation for your excursion.

Trail Stats: 0.4 miles of actual hiking each for Cliff Palace and for Balcony House. 91 feet of elevation gain for Cliff Palace and 114 for Balcony House.

Trail Finding: Easy, you are led by a Park Ranger. 

Conditions: Paved trail, ladders, Moqui steps, it’s a variety.

Would I Repeat This: Absolutely!

Parking: Paved lots are available and are a good size. Be aware that it will take over an hour to drive from the park entrance to each of the parking lots where the tours begin.

Timing: You could likely do this at any time of day you would like. The tours are only provided at certain times of day and at certain times of the year. The park recommends leaving two hours between tours if you are doing both.  The Cliff Palace tour is 45 minutes and the Balcony house tour is 60 minutes in duration. 

Downloaded Map: Not necessary. The park is well marked and the tour itself is only accessible in the company of the Park Ranger.

Fees: These sites are within Mesa Verde National Park. In addition to paying the per person fee for the tour, you will need to pay the park entrance fee or present your National Parks Annual Pass.

Trails: The NPS indicates there are nearly 600 cliff dwellings within the park boundaries. Do the lookouts on the loop drives and the hikes and keep your eyes to the cliffs, you will see many! If you are headed back towards Utah, Hovenweap National Monument is worth the side trip. Check out the video at the end of this post, where we have included footage from Hovenweap.

Be sure to go into the museums. The artifacts and pottery collections are impressive and especially interesting to view after your tours to complement the knowledge just shared with you by the Ranger and the sights you just experienced.