Mesa Verde National Park Colorado
 

Wondering how rigorous the cliff dwelling tours are. Can you do more than one in a day?

You can do two per day with no problem. Most are not very rigorous, but one requires climbing a 20 ft. ladder and crawling through a short tunnel; the information center at the base of the park has a metal equivalent of the tunnel so that you can see if you can or are willing to go through it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7622636845987/

The information at the National Park Service web site (https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/index.htm) is excellent and will answer your questions pretty well. You can do several of the tours in one day (if the sites are open). But things can vary depending on time of year. I was there in May 2015 and there was snow that forced the closing of the road to Wetherill Mesa, so I couldn't visit the Step House or the Long House. And you'll see that the Spruce Tree House is closed for the foreseeable future. When I was there the Cliff House was closed, but I did the guided tour to the Balcony House and the self-guided tour to the Spruce Tree House. None of it was too terribly rigorous.

I found the rangers at the Visitor Center very helpful in guiding me to a plan for my visit that was suitable and well-timed, and I was able to buy a ticket on the day of my visit for the Balcony House.

The bigger issue is timing the tickets for the ruins that require you have them -- you are best getting them up the day before. They will help you co-ordinate the timing.

Wetherill Mesa is only open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Less than 10% of visitors go there. It is about 45 min drive further into the park, but well worth it.

IF they still let you...[I haven't been in a while] you climb up and into the ruins and get to look out. The scene is pretty much what it looked like when the Ancient Peubloans lived there; gives you a real sense of what it was like. At the other ruins, you are looking in at them; in Long House you look out from them.

There are other sites that you can see from driving around that you can't access. There is lots to see and do.

Here's a bit of a secret:

Several of the park's best hikes leave from Morefield Campground and climb to spectacular views of surrounding valleys and mountains.

Spruce Tree House sadly is still closed but you should have a wonderful time, it is one of my favorite spots - you can feel the history.

And Cliff Palace has a late opening this year:
"Cliff Palace will not be open this spring due to a rockfall hazard currently above the site. It should be cleared and ready to open for ranger-guided tours starting May 26. Overlooks offer superb views, and there is still plenty to see and do in the park."

https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvis...ffdwelling.htm

Thank for the comments!

I love Mesa Verde, and the comments here are spot on. I found that the ladder climbing was a bit challenging, mostly because I live at sea level and was sucking wind by the time I reached the top.

If you can stay in the park at Far View lodge, you avoid the long drive down the mesa at the end of the day.

<i>If you can stay in the park at Far View lodge, you avoid the long drive down the mesa at the end of the day.</i>

That's what I don't like about Mesa Verde: the scary ladders and the long (long, long) drive in and out. Give me the San Juan Skyway.

HTtY

Apples and oranges, HTtY.

What do you expect, Debit, some folks prefer I-80 or I-76 through the mountains.

<i>Apples and oranges, HTtY.</i>

As destinations yes, but not in the sense that one has to decide how to spend travel time.

My comment might be helpful to the OP if he/she is (or becomes) more intrigued by Colorado's scenic beauty than by the remnants of an ancient culture.

HTtY