Visit of a Lifetime
Operating Dates
- May 1 - October 20
Travel back in time with an NAI-certified interpretive guide on a comfortable tour bus to see the complete picture of the Mesa Verde habitation for 700 years. The tour takes visitors through a chronological view of the lives and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people by stopping at a variety of archeological sites. Each stop will illustrate how the people adapted both architecture and social structure to meet the changing needs of their society. The final experience is a walk down into Cliff Palace, the best known of all the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings with an NPS ranger.
Departure |
Far View Terrace (Map) NOTE: Far View Terrace is located approximately 30 minutes from the park entrance. Please plan ahead when trying to make your tour departure time. |
Duration |
4 hours, which includes short hikes to archaeological sites along the Mesa Loop Road and a walking tour of Cliff Palace. NOTE: Cliff Palace walking tour is available through October 22nd. |
Guided Tours | Led by NAI certified guides with historical expertise on the culture, architecture, and lifestyle of the Ancestral Puebloan people. |
Motor Coaches | Our comfortable motor coaches will transport you to Chapin Mesa, where short walks on simple trails will take you to both the earliest Mesa Top archaeological sites and the magnificent and more adventurous Cliff Palace. |
Why should you take the 700 Years Tour?
Booking ahead you are guaranteed a spot on the Cliff Palace guided NPS Ranger tour. We will provide you with a comfortable air-conditioned bus ride which will led by our NAI certified guides. Let us do the driving so you have time to observe and ask questions.
A one hour tour of a cliff dwelling does not allow a visitor a chance to savor and value the total scope of the achievements of the Ancestral Puebloan people during the 700 years of habitation on the Mesa. On the bus tour they see not only views of some of the most impressive cliff dwellings in the park, but have the advantage of well-informed, engaging narrative and conversation with National Association for Interpretation guides. The four hour trip gives the visitor a personal connection to the information and with the guide, a chance to interact with other visitors and access to locals who have in depth knowledge of MVNP and the area in general.
There are over 4000 archaeological sites in the park, and the majority are not cliff dwellings. Your guide will explain the changes in architecture and social structure that impacted the pueblo people and how the lives of the ancient people are still relevant to us in modern times and how their descendants inhabit the area to this day.
Tour Departure Times | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Tour Price |
Cliff Palace Included |
NOTE: Far View Terrace is located approximately 30 minutes from the park entrance. Please plan ahead when trying to make your tour departure time.
In-Person Tour Reservations
If you are interested in reserving your tour in person please refer to the locations below.
Far View Lodge | Starting April 19, 2023 |
Far View Terrace | Starting April 19, 2023 |
Morefield Campground | Starting April 28, 2023 |
Our 700 Years Tour is our most popular Mesa Verde Tour - so book early. And don't forget to bring your camera in order to take home more than just memories.