Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, USA. It is a unique park that offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in the area for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to 1300. The park is famous for its well-preserved cliff dwellings, which are some of the most impressive in North America. In this blog post, we will explore the history of Mesa Verde National Park, how to get there, places to stay, places to eat, and other nearby attractions.

History of Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park was established on June 29, 1906, to preserve the ancient cliff dwellings and other archaeological sites in the area. The Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, were the first people to inhabit the area. They built elaborate cliff dwellings in the sandstone cliffs of the mesa, using the natural caves and alcoves as foundations. These dwellings were often multi-storied and had up to 150 rooms. The Ancestral Puebloans were farmers and lived off the land by cultivating crops and hunting small game.

The park has over 5,000 known archaeological sites, including over 600 cliff dwellings. The most famous of these cliff dwellings is the Cliff Palace, which is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. It has 150 rooms and 23 kivas, or ceremonial chambers. The park also has a number of other impressive cliff dwellings, including Balcony House, Spruce Tree House, and Long House.

How to Get There

Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwestern Colorado, about 35 miles west of Durango. The park is accessible by car via US Highway 160. The nearest airports are Durango-La Plata County Airport, which is about 10 miles southeast of Durango, and Cortez Municipal Airport, which is about 10 miles from the park's entrance.

Places to Stay

There are a number of lodging options within the park, including the Far View Lodge, which is located at the top of the mesa and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. The lodge has 150 rooms, a restaurant, and a gift shop. There are also several campgrounds within the park, including the Morefield Campground, which has 267 sites and is open from mid-May to mid-October.

If you prefer to stay outside the park, there are a number of hotels and motels in nearby Durango and Cortez.

Places to Eat

The Far View Lodge restaurant is a great option for dining within the park. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features regional and southwestern cuisine. There is also a café at the park's visitor center, which serves sandwiches, salads, and snacks.

If you prefer to eat outside the park, there are a number of restaurants in nearby Durango and Cortez. These range from casual diners to upscale restaurants serving regional and international cuisine.

Other Nearby Attractions

There are a number of other attractions in the area that are worth visiting while you're in southwestern Colorado. These include:

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: This historic train ride takes you through the San Juan Mountains and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Four Corners Monument: This monument marks the spot where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona meet.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument: This monument is located about 25 miles west of Mesa Verde National Park and is home to over 6,000 known archaeological sites.

Hovenweep National Monument: This monument is located about 45 miles west of Mesa Verde National Park and is home to six