Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde
Designation	National Park
Location	South West Colorado, United States
Nearest City	Cortez, Colorado
Latitude	37° 15' N
Longitude	108° 27' W
Area	52,122 acres
Date of Establishment	1906
Visitation	411,399 (2002)
Governing Body	National Park Service
IUCN category	II (National Park)

Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwest Colorado, in the western United States. The park entrance is located about 9 miles (15 km) east of the town of Cortez. The visitors center is 15 miles from the entrance, and Chapin Mesa (the most popular area) is another 6 miles past the visitors center.

Attractions

It is best known for a large number of well-preserved cliff dwellings, houses built in shallow caves along the canyon walls. From the 6th to the 14th century, the Anasazi Indians lived in these dwellings. You can learn more about how they lived in the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum in the park.

You can tour three of the cliff dwellings on Chapin Mesa, Spruce Tree House is open all year (weather permitting). Balcony House and Cliff Palace are open Spring through Fall and may be visited via a ranger guided tour. Wetherill Mesa also has cliff dwellings, Long House, Badger House Community, and Step House. There are other dwellings that can be seen from the road, but can not be accessed. Check at the visitors center for tour times and costs.

There is also hiking trails, a campground and food/gasoline/lodging (early spring through late fall only) in the park.

Cliff Palace]]
Cliff Palace (Larger version)

History

External Links

• National Park Service Page
• Mesa Verder National Park Page

Referenced By