Mesa Verde, Colorado. Mesa Verde National Park contains the largest and most important archeological preserve of Native American culture in the USA. The Anasazi or “ancient ones” populated this area from 500 AD to 1300 AD. They originally occupied the tops of the mesas, which provided some natural protection from their enemies. As their culture developed, they learned to build elaborate fortified communal dwellings on sheltered niches in the cliffs. The ruins of many such ancient cliff-side cities are preserved at Mesa Verde National Park.
This is a very popular Park and it can become crowded during the summer months. When weather permits, you can drive along scenic roads that overlook some of the cliff dwellings and pass by mesa-top sites. You can also hike local trails to view the cliff dwellings and mesa top sites. If you want to enter the dwellings, you must take one of the ranger-guided tours.
These ancient cities were abandoned around 1300 AD when a prolonged drought devastated the area. It is believed that the Pueblo and Hopi tribes presently living in Arizona and New Mexico are descendants of the Anasazi.
Square Tower House
Lodging is available at Far View Lodge in the park, but it must be reserved many months in advance. In nearby Cortez, there is a wide variety of lodging. Morefield campground in the park is open mid-May through mid-October. It has 450 sites and is seldom completely full. There are also commercial campgrounds nearby.
Mesa Verde National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Colorado near the borders with Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The park is 10 miles east of Cortez and 30 miles west of Durango. Access to the park requires a steep climb from the highway (US 160) up to the top of the mesa. Admission to the park is $5 per vehicle or $2 per individual. Caravans (trailers) and other towed vehicles are not permitted past the Morefield campground but there is adequate parking near the park entrance.
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