A true hidden gem among the US’s national parks and certainly one that seems less talked about is Mesa Verde National Park. When my mom brought up the idea to visit Mesa Verde while on vacation in Colorado I had no idea what to expect because I had never heard of it. So I set out researching how to visit Mesa Verde with a baby or toddler.
I couldn’t find any information at all though. In fact, my mom thought she had heard that kids under 6 weren’t allowed on the cliff dwelling trails at all. I was able to determine that wasn’t true but I wasn’t sure if there were other age or equipment restrictions in place. I wanted to wear my 18 month old in a baby carrier while we hiked to our house tour but I wasn’t sure if I could nor was I sure how strenuous the hikes would be.
Well, now I’ve done it myself and I can share with you that not only is it possible and enjoyable to visit Mesa Verde with kids. But it is also possible and fun to visit Mesa Verde with a toddler or baby. I will share everything you need to know about visiting Mesa Verde National Park with kids as well as our experience first hand.
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Short History of Mesa Verde
If you are like me, you may be wondering “what is Mesa Verde known for”?
Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 by President Theodore Rosevelt. It was the first national park established to preserve the works of man rather than just of nature. Mesa Verde National Park helps preserve the archaeological sites built by Ancestral Puebloans from 550 A.D. to 1300 A.D. (MV).
From pit houses to farming plots to cliff dwellings people can come and observe in stunning detail how the pueblo people of the area used to live. The cliff dwellings that Mesa Verde are most well known for are amazing works of architecture that were painstakingly built by hand.
These well preserved ruins are open and available for the public to explore and learn from today thanks in large part to the National Park system.
Mesa Verde National Park General Information
Address: 35853 Rd. H.5, Mancos, CO 81328
Hours: The park is open 24 hours a day. Hours for various services and activities vary, check the website for specific hours.
Cost: $35 per car for a 7 day pass
Phone #: 970-529-4465
When to Visit Mesa Verde
Although the park itself is open all year long many of the attractions and activities to do inside the park are only open seasonally. For all of the seasonal attractions, such as most house tours, they are open from May to October, weather permitting. Because of this and in order to make the most of your visit, I would definitely plan a trip during that time.
July is the peak month for busyness, so I personally would avoid July if possible as well. We visited mid-June and the park was definitely busy although due to the nature of the park there were no wait times for anything. But the house tours and dining reservations filled up very quickly.
To best take advantage of all amenities being open and avoiding crowds I would recommend visiting in May or September through October if you can. If you have to come in the summer, then do it and you’ll still have an enjoyable trip!
The weather in June was pleasant in the mid to high 70’s. Due to the high elevation and windy conditions it wasn’t too hot. Definitely dress in layers though because there was a big difference in temperature from the morning to mid day.
How Many Days Do You Need to See Mesa Verde
The park is large and spread out but all the activities are located in two central areas. I would recommend spending 2 days in Mesa Verde in order to see everything. One day for each mesa will allow you to see just about everything including a house tour or two.
We had three days in the area and we did almost everything the park had to offer with a lot of downtime. My mom and I both agreed two would have been plenty. Then we could have spent an extra day exploring Buena Vista, Colorado.
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Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park with Kids
The main things to do in Mesa Verde National Park are split between two different mesa’s, Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa. These activities are listed first by the Chapin Mesa side then the Wetherill Mesa side. I also tried to note which mesa each activity is on in the descriptions.
Visitors Center
The visitors center is the first place you will come to, even before the official entrance of the park. Here you can shop in the gift shop, talk to park rangers and ask your questions as well as read a few exhibits about the local tribes that used to live here. If you are visiting Mesa Verde with kids this is also where you’ll pick up your junior ranger booklets full of fun activities to do throughout the park and while you drive.
We learned one of my favorite facts here, the pueblo people used to carve holes into the stone to collect water in areas where water was running down the rocks. They then used ladles to collect the water for everyday use. They were such resourceful people.
The Visitors Center also has replicas of the ladders you will climb during house tours if you choose to go on one and a replica of the tunnel you have to climb through during the Balcony House tour. If you are unsure or nervous about either of those tasks, you can take advantage of these replicas to see if you can do it.
Mesa Top Loop
Along the top of Chapin Mesa is a loop you can drive along with 10 stops. Some stops are excavated pit houses (the type of houses the pueblo people built before they started building cliff dwellings) while others offer views of the cliff dwellings. You’ll be able to see Cliff Palace and Square Tower House from a distance, which are two of the most popular houses in the park.
The National Park service offers an audio tour to listen to as you drive through the Mesa Top Loop as well. I recommend downloading it ahead of time as service in the park is spotty and not very good.
Far View Sites Complex
If you have time for the Far View Sites then it only takes about a 30 minute walk to see them all, if you are short on time though this is what I would skip. This area is home to a variety of sights from Pipe Shrine House that may have been a religious structure to a dried up reservoir and several homes with small farming plots.
The walking path is level and easy to follow although parking is limited. You may have to circle the parking lot a time or two to find a spot.
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum was closed for renovations while we were there. However, it displays artifacts from the pueblo people that lived in the cliff dwellings. I would have loved to have learned more about the lives of the people that lived here so long ago. The museum should open again soon (July 2022) so you can enjoy it on your trip.
Behind the museum, near the petroglyph hike trailhead is an overlook area that offers an amazing view of Spruce House. This is one of the best views of any of the cliff dwellings in my opinion. Spruce House used to be open to the public but due to falling rocks it has been closed indefinitely. Now you can only see it from the viewpoint area.
Shop Mesa Verde with a Baby Essentials:
Petroglyph Hike
Behind the Museum is the trailhead for the Petroglyph Point Trail and the Spruce Canyon Trail. We had heard great things about the petroglyph hike so that is the one we decided to do. Although the park labels the hike as strenuous, I would actually say it is a moderate hike. There are some elevation changes and one area where you have to climb over one large boulder. There is a foot hold worn into the rock that makes it simple to get over, the park labels this part as a “scramble” but I would not go that far.
This is one area of the park that I would keep my 18 month old in the baby carrier as we hiked. There were several large areas where we could stop and he could get out and play though.
There are actual petroglyphs to see which are really fascinating as well as a few cliff dwelling ruins. The petroglyphs are toward the end of the 2.4 mile hike just before you climb back up to the mesa top. The last ⅓ – ¼ of the hike is completely flat and easy walking.
Go on a House Tour
I would HIGHLY recommend going on a house tour while you are visiting Mesa Verde. There is only one house that is open to the public for a self guided tour with no reservation. In my honest opinion, Step House was underwhelming after having gone on a house tour. The Mesa Verde guided tours are a great opportunity to see areas of the park that aren’t open to the public as well as to learn about the Pueblo people from a knowledgeable guide.\
How To Book a House Tour
All house tours must be booked online ahead of time on the official website. Dates open up 14 days ahead of time at 8 am MT sharp. The dates open on a rolling basis and they do sell out, sometimes within minutes. So make sure you get online early and on time to reserve your spot.
Prices for House Tours
The tours for Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Long House cost $8 per person.
The tours for Mug House and Square Tower House are $25 dollars per person.
I am not sure if kids under a certain age are free. I do know however that my mom only booked tickets for three people but I brought along my 18 month old son in a baby carrier on my back and nobody questioned it when they checked our tickets. Since I have not found anything online about kids being free I probably would have booked him a ticket. However, since my mom didn’t book him one, I am glad that I was still able to bring him along.
Houses Open For Tours:
- Cliff Palace (Closed in 2022 – due to open July 2022)
- Balcony House (Closed in 2022 – due to open July 2022)
- Long House
- Mug House
- Square Tower House
Each house has a different number of reservations available. For example Mug house only offers 20 slots per day whereas Long House offers 350 slots per day. This will impact how quickly reservations fill up. Make sure you reserve your spot early, at the 14 day mark if you can.
We toured Long House, you can read more about our experience touring Long House with a Toddler. (Coming soon)
Step House Self Guided Tour
The Spruce House on Mesa Chapin used to be open for self guided tours until falling rocks became a concern. After they closed the Spruce House to the public they opened the Step House. The Step House is located on Wetherill Mesa and can be reached fairly easily.
You have to take a small 1 mile hike down a gravel and paved path full of switchbacks. There is about a 100ft change in elevation but the path is smooth, wide and has plenty of spaces to stop and catch your breath if you need to. I even saw one couple pushing a stroller up and down the trail, so you could do that if you wanted to.
Our group had a wide range of abilities from my grandma in her 70’s, to my aunts and uncles who do not hike regularly to myself and my mom who are pretty physically fit. We were all able to complete the hike with minimal difficulty. We simply took breaks on the way back to the top for some people to catch their breath.
As long as you’re in decent shape I felt the trail was easy and great for kids and adults alike.
Step House itself is actually a pit house next to a traditional cliff dwelling house. I enjoyed talking to the park rangers about why the two homes possibly exist next to each other. The cliff dwelling was a classic example of a multigenerational home built around a central “Kiva”. A kiva is a large, circular room that was used for daily family life as well as religious ceremonies.
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Getting to Mesa Verde
There are a few small airports nearby such as the Cortez airport or the Grand Junction Airport. The closest international airport is the New Mexico airport. No matter where you fly into though you are going to need a car. You will have to drive from the airport to the park as well as within the park. Mesa Verde is a great place to road trip too. You could even turn the trip into a larger road trip and visit several national and state parks through out Utah and Colorado
Inside the park you will have to drive. It is nearly an hour’s drive from the park entrance to Wetherill Mesa and only a little bit shorter drive to Chapin Mesa. There is no consistent form of public transportation available.
Where to Stay When Visiting Mesa Verde with Kids
When finding lodging for your visit to Mesa Verde National Park you essentially have two options, inside the park or outside the park. As I mentioned earlier, the drive from the entrance to any of the sights is roughly 45-60 minutes. By staying inside the park you can cut down on drive time significantly. However if everything is booked up or if you’d prefer to stay elsewhere it is certainly doable. Simply be prepared to plan in extra time for driving when you make reservations for the house tours.
Inside the park you can stay at Far View Lodge or Morefield Campground.
Morefield Campground
The Morefield Campground is huge with 267 sites available for campers, trailers and RV’s. Although only 15 sites have full hookups for RV’s, so if you want full hookups but those sites are full I would look into the Mesa Verde RV Resort below.
As well as campsites Morefield Campground provides everything you could need for a comfortable stay with a coin operated laundromat, restrooms, showers, a gift shop, a gas station and even a grocery store. If you don’t feel like cooking though you can head over to Knife Edge Cafe where they serve an all you can eat pancake breakfast.
Far View Lodge
The Far View Lodge is a cozy hotel inside the park about a 30 minute drive from the entrance. Every room has an amazing view of the surrounding area from your private balcony. There are rollaway cribs available upon request if you choose not to bring your own travel crib.
Mesa Verde RV Resort
Mesa Verde RV Resort is located less than ten minutes from the entrance of Mesa Verde National Park. It could not have been a more convenient place to stay during our trip. It has full hookups at almost every RV station, a coin operated laundromat, a heated swimming pool and a couple hot tubs, a playground, and a patio with fire pits and grills. There are even a couple of tent campsites available as well. It was the perfect place to tent or RV camp with a toddler.
This is where we stayed and Roman loved playing in the pool and on the playground during our free time when we weren’t hiking or exploring inside Mesa Verde. I thought Mesa Verde RV Resort was a great option for lodging near Mesa Verde with a baby or toddler.
Cortez, Mancos or Durango
The nearby towns of Cortez, Mancos or Durango are the furthest options for places to stay when visiting Mesa Verde. Cortez is the closest and Durango is the furthest away. Each town has several lodging options for you to choose from. However due to driving distance from the park, this would be the last option I would turn to when looking for lodging.
What to Pack for Mesa Verde with a Baby or Toddler
- Baby Carrier: A baby carrier is one of my top five travel essentials with a baby or toddler. It was especially handy when hiking and during the house tour.
- Tennis Shoes or Hiking Boots: A pair of sturdy shoes for any toddler that can walk will be very handy. The ground is uneven and many areas are just rock trails. Sturdy shoes that will actually protect their feet are a must. Pants (as opposed to shorts) were a must in our case as well to avoid scraped knees and bruised shins.
- Jacket: The weather can be a little unpredictable here, plus the temperature varies a lot from morning to midday. I recommend bringing along a jacket in case of any storms or chilly mornings.
- Snacks: All the exploring and walking is sure to work up an appetite and nobody wants to deal with a hangry toddler. Bring along plenty of snacks for in between meals.
- Water: Likewise I recommend bringing along a water bottle for any kiddo over 6 months. So that they are sure to stay hydrated in the hot sun and windy conditions.
Tips for Visiting Mesa Verde National Park
First off, make sure you are booking things well in advance. I am always surprised how early people start booking things for their vacations but the early bird truly gets the worm. If you need a specific campground or want to guarantee a spot in the lodge make sure you are booking as early as possible. For house tours make sure you are ready to book your times 14 days in advance. That is the earliest you can book them and they do fill up.
Similarly, if you would like to eat in the restaurants inside Mesa Verde National Park make sure you reserve meal spots. These do book up in advance as well and there is limited availability since many dining rooms are only open for dinner.
Third, be sure to download the park maps ahead of time since service is spotty and by downloading the maps you know you’ll have directions even if you lose service. Same goes for any audio tours or apps that you may want to use while in the park.
Finally, I would strongly recommend that you fill up with gas before entering the park. There are long drive times required to go from place to place inside the park and I believe the only (overpriced) gas is located at Morefield Campground which is near the entrance. It would be VERY unfortunate and inconvenient to run out of gas while driving through the park.
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Other Sights to See Near Mesa Verde
Four Corners
Going from Mesa Verde to Four Corners is only an hour drive. The 4 Corners Monument is where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado meet. If you have been wanting to visit, this is the perfect opportunity. It is an easy and quick side stop during your trip to Mesa Verde National Park with kids. You can stand in four places at once!
Some of our group went to do this one morning while the rest of us went on a hike. They really enjoyed their visit.
Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep is home to six prehistoric villages that you can visit. These villages were home to different tribes of Pueblo indians when they started farming. It would have been home to roughly 2,500 people. The Hovenweep Monument is an hour and 45 mins away from Mesa Verde National Park.
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument
The Canyon of the Ancients National Monument contains the highest known density of archeological sites in the US. With over 6,000 ancient sites from cliff dwellings to rock art there is no shortage of things to explore. The Canyon of the Ancients is about an hour away from Mesa Verde and would be a great afternoon trip if you have extra time.
Mesa Verde With Toddlers and Babies
Do you have any questions about visiting Mesa Verde with a baby or toddler? Mesa Verde was a truly unique national park that preserves the historical homes of the pueblo people. The cliff dwelling took so much work to build, the whole time we were in Mesa Verde I was constantly in wonder of how these people built these homes and structures without the use of modern tools and resources. They were so resourceful.
Mesa Verde is so cool it made my list of bucket list worthy places to visit in the US. If you get the chance to visit Mesa Verde with your kids, even young kids in the baby and toddler years DO IT! Places like this are so great to teach kids about history and the way people used to live. They will enjoy it and even if they don’t remember it later you will make wonderful memories as a family that you can share with them later.
Thank you for posting this article! It is seriously awesome! My husband and I are about to undertake a visit to Mesa Verde this upcoming September with our 3 year old and 15 month old….so I’m kinda of freaking out lol am I being overly ambitious here? Haha would LOVE to hear more about your tour of Longhouse if possible. Thanks so much!
I am glad to hear that it was useful to you! I don’t think you’re being overly ambitious at all, you got this. Just remember to go in with the right expectations I think. You may not catch every word the tour guide says because you are keeping your kids safe and away from the walls. But you will still be able to see and enjoy this amazing national treasure that not everybody has the opportunity to see. And you are sharing that with your kids!
If your kids are willing, I would definitely consider bringing a baby carrier. It will make the hikes easier. There is plenty of space for them to run and play though. Do you have any specific questions? The Longhouse tour was great but I did spend time walking up and down stairs with my son and not listening to the guides. The views are amazing and the history is fun to learn about.
Great to get all this information. Both my kids (4, 7) will get tired from walking but my wife and I love to hike endlessly. Can we bring a jogging stroller for the kids to ride when they get tired?
In places like the mesa top loop, far view sites, and Step house you could probably get away with a stroller. Other trails definitely are not suitable for a stroller.