Trails With Tales to Tell

7.8 miles round-trip

This trail begins at the west end of Morefield Campground. It ascends Prater Ridge and follows a loop around the top of the ridge, returning via the same route. A cut-off trail can be taken which shortens the trail to five miles.

2.0 miles round-trip

The trail follows a section of the old Knife Edge Road, from the northwest corner of Morefield Campground towards the Montezuma Valley Overlook. This trail provides good views of Montezuma Valley and is an excellent place to watch the sunset. Trail guide available.

2.2 miles round-trip

The trail switchbacks up the back side of Point Lookout and traverses the top of the mesa. This trail provides excellent views of Montezuma and Mancos valleys, as well as the surrounding countryside.

2.4 miles round-trip

This trail begins from the Spruce Tree House trail and continues below the edge of the plateau to a petroglyph panel, makes a climb to the top of the mesa and returns via the rim to the museum. This trail provides views of Spruce and Navajo Canyons and is the only trail in the park to view petroglyphs. Gate access to the trail is only available when Spruce Tree House is open. Please contact a ranger for times the gate is open. Trail guide available. Registration required.

2.4 miles round-trip 

This trail begins from the Spruce Tree House trail, follows the bottom of Spruce Tree Canyon, turns up Spruce Canyon, and returns to the museum via the picnic area. Gate access to this trail is only available when Spruce Tree House is open. Please contact a ranger for times the gate is open. Registration required.

1.2 miles round-trip 

This trail begins one mile north of the Balcony House parking area along the Cliff Palace Loop Road. The trail is an easy walk to the canyon edge and offers views of Balcony House and other archaeological sites along Soda Canyon.

2.25 miles round-trip 

This mixed graveled path and paved trail begins at the information kiosk and winds through four mesa top sites and 600 years of history.

2.0 miles round-trip

Named for Gustaf Nordenskiold, who explored the area in 1891, this trail offers a leisurely walk-through recovering fire-scarred vegetation and leads to an overlook of Nordenskiold Site No. 16.