Do you pack enough for 10-14 days and twice as much for the temp changes? We stayed at the Staybridge Suites Colorado Springs North Hotel and recommend it. On this Colorado itinerary, you will visit all four national parks (Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Rocky Mountain National Parks), linking them together with gorgeous scenic drives. Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. Hello Clare. Soda Canyon Overlook Trail: For those looking for a short trail that overlooks an impressive canyon and also provides a great view of the Balcony House, the Soda Canyon Overlook is worth checking out. There also is an information desk and a small snack bar. Your email address will not be published. The only option in the park is the Far View Lodge. 1. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Parking limited to vehicles under 25 feet (7.5 m). The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip. Mesa Verde National Park Itinerary - Colorado.com You will spend one night in Aspen/Snowmass. My kids will be 9 & 11 next summer (2023), and I am currently planning an epic National Parks Road Trip in our travel trailer late May through mid-June. You'll climb three ladders, including one that is 32 feet high; squeeze through an 18-inch-wide tunnel that extends for 12 feet; and ascend an uneven walkway for 60 feet. 25 Best Things to Do in Mesa Verde - VacationIdea.com Some members of our group is have fear of heights. Note: If you have a reservation for an early tour, youll need to go straight there and stop at the visitor center as you exit the park. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Loveland Pass is a high mountain pass that is located south of I-70, between Vail and Idaho Springs. Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods | Colorado Itinerary. For the full list of things to do, read our article 8 Amazing Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Drive South Rim Drive, visiting the overlooks along the way. You will stay in Colorado Springs for two nights. Would you mind sharing around when you made this trip/what time of year the photos were taken? Finally, road work and other construction projects can close certain areas of the park at any time. more information on current conditions www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/anasazi-heritage-center, www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/canyons-of-the-ancients. A couple of them offer views right at the parking area. If driving a large motorhome, youll need to use a towed vehicle to access this area of the park. Also, there are some high mountain passes in Colorado that also dont open until this time, or even into June in some cases. A ranger giving an informative talk at Long House in Mesa Verde National Park. We were bummed but still felt like we had a relatively complete visit since we did get to tour Long House on Wetherill Mesa (more on that below). From here, you can walk (or ride a bicycle in some areas) to archeological sites, including cliff dwellings and mesa-top structures. Mesa Verde National Park 1/2 Day Tour 74 By Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours Additionally, its about a 1.25-hour drive from the cliff dwellings on Wetherill Mesa to those on Chapin Mesa. If you want to go sandboarding and sand sledding, you need to have a sandboard or sand sled that is made specifically for use on the sand. This meant that we were able to easily walk into town for restaurants or shopping. It is closed the remainder of the year. This Colorado road trip is written as a 10-day itinerary. Day Two: Take your pick from one of many hiking trails in the park. Cheers, Julie. This should not be an issue for more vehicles, but it is important to be aware of. Tours require descending uneven steps and climbing four ladders. Snowmass Village: In Snowmass Village we stayed at Capitol Peak Lodge in a gorgeous 3-bedroom apartment with views of the mountains. As you drive in on the main park road, there are four different overlooks that allow you to get out and enjoy the view over the valleys below. Then you can top it with green or red sauce, which I definitely recommend! If you prefer culture and history, Mesa Verde National Park is the top park to visit. It is possible to visit both the North and South Rims in the summer and fall. I dont suppose you know any? Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 26 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. It doesnt matter what kind: plane, train, boat or our trusty truck and camper. As we walked through the various rooms, rangers provided historical details about the structure and the Ancestral Puebloan people. And stick around for sunsetthe sunsets here are beautiful. Come check out the top things to do in winter in Mesa Verde. The best time for this Colorado itinerary is in the summer and early fall, when all of the scenic drives and hiking trails are open. CO Here are a few ideas on what to do this morning: The view from High Dune | Colorado Itinerary. The Morefield Campground is located just outside of the national park. But it has something most other parks dont: a rich cultural heritage and a vast array of archeological artifacts. Many people tend to overlook this site, and you'll likely have a good chance to experience the dwelling without crowds. Our next stop is Estes Park (~6hr drive) for 5 nights, 4.5 days in RMNP. From Garden of the Gods, it is a short drive to get to the base of Pikes Peak (10 miles, 17 minutes). We dont often book tours. A maze of paved trails weaves between red and pink sandstone rocks. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. We saw more snow on this trip than we did all of last winter in Connecticut, and even did some snow hiking at Maroon Bells and Rocky Mountain National Part. 2 DAYS in MESA VERDE National Park (Perfect Itinerary for First Visit Evans Scenic Byway and/or Loveland Pass and then continue to Leadville. The summit of this pass sits at 12,095 feet. It takes just 15 minutes to drive to park entrance. There are two locations to base yourself when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park: just outside of the park and in the town of Alamosa. From there, we made our way back to the parking lot and then over to Step House. AllTrails has 21 great trails for hiking, walking, and birding and more. Once you get above the tree line, the views really open up. In any event, this is our second trip out West following your itinerary (last year, Utah Mighty 5), and you havent led us astray yet. If you have ever dreamed of visiting Mesa Verde National Park, it is probably the stunning images of Cliff Palace that have fostered those dreams. Plastic saucers and cardboard will also not slide very well on the sand. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. Between November and March, you'll see another, quieter side of the park. But visiting Mesa Verde National Park is about more than just touring the cliff dwellings. We particularly enjoyed the Moroccan-style Lamb Meatballs and Mesa View Ranch Yak Burger. And, we did drive back into the park a second day to tour the Far View sites. Once in Estes Park, check into your hotel and then have dinner. We particularly liked that we were able to get a nice meal in a casual atmosphere. I recommend making your reservation about 5 days in advance because they can sell out. Rock climbing is a big thing to do here, and you can bring your own gear and climb or join a tour. In just 28 miles, the road climbs over 7,000 feet, ending near the summit of Mount Evans. PRO TRAVEL TIP: On the final day of this Colorado itinerary, you will drive from Rocky Mountain National Park to the airport and fly home. Although the talks have moved from around a campfire to the Morefield Amphitheater, the tradition continues. Much appreciated! If you choose the scenic route through Caon City, the drive will take four hours with 200 miles of driving. If you have more than 10 days for this Colorado itinerary, here is where I recommend putting your extra time. In this audio tour, a park ranger who is a direct descendant of the people who lived here shares information and stories about the sites along the Mesa Top Loop drive. The best place to stay near Mesa Verde is Cortez. This annual park pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. I have bookmarked your post and subscribed so that I can go back to it closer to the time. Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. Day 1: Arrive in Colorado, drive to Alamosa/Great Sand Dunes National Park Day 2: Great Sand Dunes NP, drive to Cortez Day 3: Mesa Verde NP, drive to Montrose Day 4: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, drive to Snowmass/Aspen Day 5: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park Day 6: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 7: Fly home, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Colorado Itinerary. Be sure to purchase tickets when they are released, as noted above. Get settled into your hotel and have dinner. 10 Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park Itineraries for 1 to 5 Days, 15 Great Hikes to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Visit the sights along Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop and take a tour of a cliff dwelling. If you want to stay in the park, you can camp at the Pion Flats Campground or get a backcountry permit to park on the dunes. Plan Your Visit - Mesa Verde National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Most of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park are only accessed on a ranger-guided tour. USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? Mesa Verde National Park entry fee is $30 per vehicle and is valid up to 7 days or you can use your America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. Note: the park map indicates that Spruce Tree House (on Chapin Mesa) can be accessed via a self-guided tour but access to this site has been restricted since 2015 due to safety concerns. In autumn, Colorado is beautiful, as the leaves change to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Step House Trail. This 7.8-mile loop trail takes you along the top of Prater Ridge and provides great views over Montezuma Canyon and Prater Canyon. 2. The Square Tower House is a four-story structure built against the rock wall of the Navajo Canyon. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a8a72cff583e5f158eceb9f00afb0bed" );document.getElementById("j4778b3794").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are Grant and Bonnie Sinclair, a couple of 40-something teachers with a passion for travel. 2023 - Our Wander-Filled Life LLC - All Rights Reserved | Evening ranger program at Mesa Verde National Park (Photo: NPS/Kayla McCraren) Attend a nightly free campfire program led by a ranger. This park preserves the ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites that are hundreds of years old. In the afternoon of day 2, after you visit Pikes Peak, drive to Alamosa and Great Sand Dunes National Park. In the spring, warmer temperatures melt the snow and visitation picks up. This historic town was a boomtown in the 1880s, with its silver mines drawing famous figures like Doc Holliday, Susan B. Anthony, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Horace Silver Dollar Tabor. It was the 5th most visited national park in the USA that year. They are usually up for a challenge, but I want to make sure this isnt a foolish plan on my part! If you want to do this Colorado road trip but dont have 10 days, what should you eliminate? This national park is home to some of the most outstanding cliff dwellings in America. To minimize the amount of driving that you do, you can fly into Colorado Springs Airport and fly out of Denver International Airport. While at the Visitor Center, be sure to talk to a ranger to get up-to-date information about the park. Cliff dwelling tours require a reservation, usually made 2 weeks in advance. For updated hours, pricing, and road conditions/closures, click here. Click here to rent an RV. Get updates here. Continuing south, Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop are each 6-mile scenic drives. Touring this ancient site is an adventure but worth the effort. Im glad you had a great time in Colorado! Read our full campground review on RV Life here. If you want full access to Rocky Mountain National Park, its best to wait until after Memorial Day, when Trail Ridge Road opens. Great Sand Dunes Oasis has motel rooms, a campground and 20 RV sites. Additionally, touring Long House requires climbing two 15-foot ladders. Several of the scenic drives that we list in this itinerary close during this time. Here is a list of the four Colorado National Parks: What is the best Colorado national park to visit? For recommendations on where to stay and eat in Estes Park, read our Guide to Estes Park. We make great use of our free night certificates. The Ultimate Guide to Mesa Verde National Park [2023] - Upgraded Points Cliff dwellings can only be visited on a ranger-led guided tour. Have a great time in Colorado! In addition to touring the cliff dwellings, there are a few mesa top scenic drives and archeological sites that you can tour on your own, year-round. Add an extra day in Snowmass or Aspen. Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America and was once home to more than 100 people. I know the balcony house will be open, but not sure if we want to do that. See options All photos (605) Cheers, Julie. Additionally, the road to Wetherill Mesa (the west side of the park) is closed in winter (late October through April). Mesa Verde National Park - Ultimate 1 Day Guide - Nomads in Nature Mesa Verde National Park is a famous national park that attracts visitors from all over the world. Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwestern Colorado in Montezuma County. It was established as a national park in 1906 by congress and President Threodore Roosevelt. Whatever you do at Mesa Verde, we hope that you leave with a better understanding of the people who lived here more than 1,000 years ago and their way of life. At the airport, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel in Colorado Springs. Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park in Winter That said, there are some experiences you just cant have any other way. Visiting Mesa Verde National Park provides the opportunity to learn about a culture that is so vastly different from modern life it is difficult to comprehend. Tours run on a regular basis and are limited to 43 participants. Thank you in advance!! Click here to book a tour. Sky Pond is a lot more fun, and prettier, so it will keep your kids entertained along the trail (Guadalupe Peak is nice but it can feel like a slog at times). To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, the best hikes in the park, and how to plan the perfect itinerary. Sleeping Ute Mountain and La Plata mountain range are off in the distance. This drive is 50 miles round trip and takes 2 hours. Walking through one is simply spectacular. Not only will you save money on park fees for this trip but you will also get free admission to any other national park or federal recreation sites that you visit within 365 days of purchasing this pass. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J. Click here to get a Good Sam membership.We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. For each day that you add, you can do another great hike. Mesa Verde National Park is home to over 4,700 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people, who lived in this area from 600 to 1300 AD. Check the most up . Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. While we enjoyed our food and drink, it wasnt anything super special. If you love hiking and mountainous landscapes, Rocky Mountain National Park is the best park to visit in Colorado. Thanks so much for this blog post on visiting the Mesa Verde. This is one of the more accessible tours of the cliff dwellings. Learn more here. Mesa Verde National Park | Grand Canyon Trust The trail is gated, and registration is required either at the Chapin Mesa Museum or at the trailhead. We also really liked the Continental Trail to Mt. You must reserve your time slot in advance. Cliff Dwellings - Mesa Verde National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Get updates on road conditions here. The Warner Point Trail (1.5 miles) and the Oak Flat Loop Trail (2 miles) are great options. Is there food available in Mesa Verde National Park? The best national park in Colorado depends on your interests. (As a reminder, tours of Cliff Palace are only possible on a ticketed ranger-guided tour.). Leadville, at 10,152 feet, is the highest incorporated town in the United States. If you like the idea of ending the day with a nice meal, make a reservation for Restaurant 1858, a fine-dining restaurant at the Broadmoor. The stretch of road between Silverton and Ouray is known as the Million Dollar Highway, since it reportedly took a million dollars per mile to build this road. This easy 1.2-mile roundtrip hike takes you through a pinyon-juniper forest to several overlooks. The At Sun Temple overlook, you can view the Cliff Palace cliff dwelling on the other side of the canyon. Knife Edge Trail: For the perfect sunset experience or to snap a great picture, take the Knife Edge trail. Hello Alyse. Ideally, every 5 to 7 days we stay in a place that has a laundry facility. If you arent planning on doing a lot of hiking and/or ranger-guided tours, then one day is probably enough for visiting Mesa Verde National Park. If you love hiking, consider hiking to Chasm Lake, Mount Ida, or our favorite hike in the park, Sky Pond. It is well worth visiting for its remote location. Click here to search for a flight. Some 2.000 years ago, the river valleys in this region were occupied by nomadic Indians who later took to a settled life. Of course, if youre like us, you may not mind needing to go back to feel like youve fully explored the park! As noted, there is a ranger there to answer questions but you will not have nearly the same experience as on a ranger-guided tour. The Spruce Tree Terrace is the only place in this area of the park to get food or drinks, which is counter-service snack bar items. On this Colorado itinerary, you have two full days to spend in Rocky Mountain National Park. Or, if you dont want to relax, hike Maroon Bells or spend the day mountain biking. We also highly recommend The Stone House. At 14,115 feet, this is one of the most prominent fourteeners in Colorado. Temperatures are low in the winter, but so are the crowds. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. This park is renowned for its incredible ancient architecture and history, and there is plenty to explore for those who love outdoor activities. The actual ruins are 30-60 minute drive from the main entrance and Spruce Tree House will take at least 1 hour, plus 1 hour at the Museum. In addition, displays provide in-depth information on what life was like in the pueblos. (As you can see in the photo above, there is one ladder but you do not have to climb it to tour the structure.). Note: Both the Lodge and Terrace are only open from late April to late October. It contains 130 rooms and eight kivas. 1. While we havent stayed at this particular location, weve always had a good experience with Hampton Inn and other Hilton brand hotels. Can you drive through Mesa Verde? Located just off the highway, the Visitor & Research Center houses exhibits on the Ancestral Puebloans that lived here more than 1,000 years ago and their way of life. Purchase your pass at the first national park that you visit (in this case, at Great Sand Dunes National Park) or you can get it online. Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries. Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is a perfect complement to any Southwest road trip. We designed these routes to highlight some of this countrys best sites and made a point to take all of the legwork out of planning an excellent vacation to see these wonders. Click here to book a cruise. At the end of the road, youll find a large parking lot. Is it still worthwhile to visit that time of the year? These include pit houses on the plateau and cliff dwellings on the sides of the canyons, multi-story houses of adobe or stone built round a central square (pueblos), and cult sites (kivas). Please see ourReview Policyfor more information.). Mesa Verde National Park - Colorado.com Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Before our arrival, we were concerned that there may be a lot of road noise since the campground was so close to town. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. A less crowded but equally . Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Cliff Palace Loop, Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330, Phone: 970-529-4465 If a trip is 10 days or less, we pack enough for that trip without having to do laundry. If you like hiking, put more time into Rocky Mountain National Park. This evening, you can stay in either Snowmass Village or Aspen. Visitors to this park will no doubt be amazed at the cliff dwellings that are tucked away in remote, difficult-to-reach areas. How crowded is the park in April? You will stay in Montrose for one night. GREAT SAND DUNES: In our article Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, we cover the top experiences, plus how to plan your time, where to stay, and more. Mesa Verde National Park is set on a high plateau that reaches a height of 8,573 feet, rising abruptly to 2,000 feet above the semi-desert foreland of the Rockies. Midday you will drive to Cortez. It is a steady 6.7% grade to the summit with numerous hairpin turns. Also, be sure to check the parks website as the reservation process and timeline can change at any time. This dwelling, the largest of them all, is in remarkable condition. Mesa Verde National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Garden of the Gods Aspen & Snowmass Pikes Peak Numerous scenic drives 10 Day Colorado Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Colorado, drive to Colorado Springs Day 2: Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak Day 3: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Want to do more? We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper. You could take a day from Rocky Mountain and use it to visit Snowmass, Aspen, Vail or another ski slope, while driving between Black Canyon of the Gunnison and RMNP. View from Pikes Peak | Colorado Itinerary. To get here from I-70, take exit 240 in Idaho Springs, follow Highway 103 south until it reaches Echo Lake, then take Highway 5 to the top of Mount Evans. 13 Must-See Attractions Near Mesa Verde National Park There are 25 switchbacks on the way up. That said, the trail is only open when it is staffed by a ranger. Exhibit signs along the way provide more information about the Ancestral Puebloan life that dominated this area between 900-1300 CE. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss an adventure. The Double G Ranch & Guestlodge is the highest rated property in town. For any length of time longer than that, we pack for 7 to 10 days and do laundry as needed. Most of these can only be accessed by a ticketed ranger-guided tour, which are typically offered from May through October. This park is quick and easy to visit. Other than camping, this is the only lodging inside the park. Important Links for the Colorado National Parks. The Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn and the Holden House 1902 Bed and Breakfast Innget great reviews. Guided Tour to Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or Long House You can't visit Mesa Verde without stepping into the cliff dwellings.

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