Mesa Verde: One of the Southwest's Most Scenic Wonders

Mesa Verde is one of the Southwest's most scenic and enchanting wonders. Here spectacular natural beauty combines with the archaeology of a vanished civilization to capture the imagination in a way that few other places on earth can do.

Mesa Verde, Spanish for "Green Table," was home to ancient people once known as Anasazi, now more accurately known as Ancestral Puebloans. Their multistoried and complex dwellings overlook Montezuma Valley. More than 600 of these dwellings in the Mesa Verde area cover almost a thousand years of human history in the region.

The cliff dwellings and the mesas and valleys of this ancient civilization have been protected by Mesa Verde National Park since 1906. The site is also a UNESCO-designated World Cultural Heritage Park. Built into cliff sides and sheltered by natural overhanging rock, the dwellings show remarkable sophistication, taking full advantage of winter sun to warm and light the interiors, yet sheltered from summer's intense heat.

Planning a trip to Mesa Verde

The National Park Service recommends you begin your visit to Mesa Verde at Far View Visitor Center, where you may purchase tour tickets to Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Long House. Here you can also get a good overview, see an orientation film, and learn of current programs and advisories. Some sites may be entered only on ranger-led tours.

The park is officially open year-round, though some sites are not available during winter months and snows may close roads and sites at times. It is best to check with park officials for the latest information.

Allow two days at least for your visit. Mesa Verde covers more than 50,000 square miles, and many of the most intriguing sites, such as the petroglyphs, can be accessed only by hiking trails. Limited camping is available. There are motels within the park boundaries and in nearby towns. Plan your visit to make the most of the time you have. Start at the Mesa Verde National Park Service website to learn of special park programs and hikes.

Other things you need to know to plan your visit: the terrain is fairly rugged and some sites are at a relatively high elevation. People with respiratory problems should be aware of the increased physical demands of elevation. The Wetherill Mesa trail is wheelchair accessible, and some of the most impressive dwellings can be viewed from the road. Remember, too, that some sites can be accessed only by ladders.

However one experiences Mesa Verde, the impact is powerful.