Tour stop
Mesa Verde National Park Tour
About The Tour
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mesa Verde National Park is a treasure trove of culture and history. The park is home to some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in North America, including the iconic Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House. These ancient dwellings, built into the cliffs over 700 years ago, provide a unique window into the daily lives of the area’s first permanent settlers. While the park is a marvel in itself, exploring the park with context is a must for making the most of your experience.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore Cliff Palace, the largest and most iconic cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
• Experience the adventure of Balcony House, a cliff dwelling accessible by ladders and tunnels, offering a glimpse into ancient Puebloan life and architecture.
• Visit Step House, a well-preserved cliff dwelling and pithouse that offers a unique opportunity to explore two distinct periods of Puebloan history.
• Spruce House: Marvel at Spruce House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, nestled into a naturally sheltered alcove with easy trail access.
• Long House: Discover Long House, the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park, featuring fascinating archaeological sites and expansive views of Wetherill Mesa.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore Cliff Palace, the largest and most iconic cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
• Experience the adventure of Balcony House, a cliff dwelling accessible by ladders and tunnels, offering a glimpse into ancient Puebloan life and architecture.
• Visit Step House, a well-preserved cliff dwelling and pithouse that offers a unique opportunity to explore two distinct periods of Puebloan history.
• Spruce House: Marvel at Spruce House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, nestled into a naturally sheltered alcove with easy trail access.
• Long House: Discover Long House, the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park, featuring fascinating archaeological sites and expansive views of Wetherill Mesa.
About the tour
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mesa Verde National Park is a treasure trove of culture and history. The park is home to some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in North America, including the iconic Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House. These ancient dwellings, built into the cliffs over 700 years ago, provide a unique window into the daily lives of the area’s first permanent settlers. While the park is a marvel in itself, exploring the park with context is a must for making the most of your experience.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore Cliff Palace, the largest and most iconic cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
• Experience the adventure of Balcony House, a cliff dwelling accessible by ladders and tunnels, offering a glimpse into ancient Puebloan life and architecture.
• Visit Step House, a well-preserved cliff dwelling and pithouse that offers a unique opportunity to explore two distinct periods of Puebloan history.
• Spruce House: Marvel at Spruce House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, nestled into a naturally sheltered alcove with easy trail access.
• Long House: Discover Long House, the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park, featuring fascinating archaeological sites and expansive views of Wetherill Mesa.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore Cliff Palace, the largest and most iconic cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
• Experience the adventure of Balcony House, a cliff dwelling accessible by ladders and tunnels, offering a glimpse into ancient Puebloan life and architecture.
• Visit Step House, a well-preserved cliff dwelling and pithouse that offers a unique opportunity to explore two distinct periods of Puebloan history.
• Spruce House: Marvel at Spruce House, one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, nestled into a naturally sheltered alcove with easy trail access.
• Long House: Discover Long House, the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park, featuring fascinating archaeological sites and expansive views of Wetherill Mesa.
STARTING POINTS
-Cortez, CO
-Mancos, CO
RECOMMENDED START TIME: 8:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
-Cortez, CO
-Mancos, CO
RECOMMENDED START TIME: 8:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to the Mesa Verde National Park Tour Preview
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2. If Walls Could Talk Part 1
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3. Where There's a Wetherill There's a Way
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4. Table Of Plenty
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Mesa Verde National Park Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
Mesa Verde National Park Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Long House
Tour stop
Wetherill Mesa Sites
Tour stop
Wetherill Mesa Kiosk
Tour stop
Fire Recovery Viewpoint (Temporarily Closed)
Tour stop
Soda Canyon Trailhead
Tour stop
Balcony House
Tour stop
Cliff Palace
Meet the Creators
Moose Warywoda
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Mesa Verde National Park Tour
Moose Warywoda
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Rayne Warne
Writer & Managing Editor
Favorite Quote:
"Stories are machines inhabited by a god." - Bonnie Friedman
Rachel Ennis
Writer
Favorite Quote:
"I love not man the less, but nature more." -Lord Byron
Adam Kampe
Producer
Favorite Quote:
"Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." - Bob Dylan
Purchase Options
1.
Mesa Verde National Park Tour
$ 15.99
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Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Mesa Verde National Park Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.
Important Update!
Hi Shaka Guiders,
I wanted to share an important update about Spruce Tree House in Mesa Verde National Park.
Spruce Tree House remains closed due to structural instability, and a stabilization project is currently underway. For safety reasons, visitors are not permitted to enter the site while preservation work continues. There has not yet been a confirmed reopening timeline.
If you’re planning a visit, I recommend checking the official NPS website before your trip for the latest updates on access and project progress.
While Spruce Tree House is one of the park’s most well-known dwellings, other remarkable archaeological sites and viewpoints remain accessible. As always, please follow posted closures and staff guidance during your visit.
Thank you for staying informed and for respecting the preservation efforts that help protect these irreplaceable places.
Safe travels,
— Rachel, Your Shaka Guide Tour Writer
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the Mesa Verde National Park Tour go?
This tour has 25 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to Know Before You Go!
2. What should I pack for the Mesa Verde National Park Tour?
Car charger
Phone mount
Comfortable walking shoes
Plenty of refillable water bottles (and water)
A camera with a zoom
Binoculars- If you have one, a camera with great zoom or binoculars is great for looking at the many cross-canyon cliff houses.
Phone mount
Comfortable walking shoes
Plenty of refillable water bottles (and water)
A camera with a zoom
Binoculars- If you have one, a camera with great zoom or binoculars is great for looking at the many cross-canyon cliff houses.
3. What should I budget for the Mesa Verde National Park Tour?
What you spend depends on the activities you do, but here’s a list of entry fees for the tour:
Standard Fee: $15/person
Balcony House - $8/person
Cliff Palace - $8/person
Square Tower House - $25/person
Standard Fee: $15/person
Balcony House - $8/person
Cliff Palace - $8/person
Square Tower House - $25/person
4. What are the park hours for the Mesa Verde National Park Tour?
Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center: 8:30 A.M to 4 P.M. daily.
Far View Visitor's Area: open seasonally, café open from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum: 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. reduced seasonal hours
Mesa Verde Assoc. Bookstore: seasonally open, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Cliff Palace: Open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
Balcony House: open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
Long House: open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
Wetherill Mesa Kiosk:
May 19 to May 24: Kiosk open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
May 25 to September 14: Kiosk open daily from 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM.
September 15 to October 19: Kiosk open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Snack Service: Available 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM through September 2 at Wetherill Mesa Information Kiosk.
Far View Visitor's Area: open seasonally, café open from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum: 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. reduced seasonal hours
Mesa Verde Assoc. Bookstore: seasonally open, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Cliff Palace: Open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
Balcony House: open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
Long House: open seasonally, by ticketed tour only
Wetherill Mesa Kiosk:
May 19 to May 24: Kiosk open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
May 25 to September 14: Kiosk open daily from 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM.
September 15 to October 19: Kiosk open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Snack Service: Available 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM through September 2 at Wetherill Mesa Information Kiosk.
5. Can I join the Mesa Verde National Park Tour along the tour route?
Yes! The tour has two starting points: Cortez, CO and Mancos, CO. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting.
If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
6. Can I take the Mesa Verde National Park Tour in the opposite direction?
The primary tour route at Mesa Verde National Park is a straightforward out-and-back path. During the tour, you'll encounter three side roads—Wetherill Mesa Road, Mesa Top Loop Road, and the final section of Mesa Top Ruins Road. While the Shaka Guide tour provides recommendations on the optimal order for these roads, you're free to decide when and how to explore these side routes at your own pace.
7. Do I need reservations to tour the Cliff Houses?
Yes! For nearly all the cliff houses, you will need to book a ranger-guided tour. To purchase your tickets, go to recreation.gov. Tickets are purchased 14 days in advance, so try to plan your trip early.
If you aren’t able to schedule your tour in advance, you could get lucky and score some tour tickets at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, located at the park entrance. But keep in mind that tickets are extremely limited, so it’s best to purchase the tickets online, ahead of time.
If you aren’t able to schedule your tour in advance, you could get lucky and score some tour tickets at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, located at the park entrance. But keep in mind that tickets are extremely limited, so it’s best to purchase the tickets online, ahead of time.
8. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it’s like having a tour guide in your car, sharing stories and local insights as you drive. Unlike other navigation apps, we’ve planned the route for you, so instead of focusing on directions, you can focus on the experience. This means you can’t customize the route, but that’s kind of the point. You’re still in control though, you can skip stops, go at your own pace, and explore freely. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about enjoying the journey.
9. Other Questions? Contact us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.