For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home t
Yes — your pass gets you in.
Your pass covers the $30 park entrance fee.
- Fee type Entrance fee — The standard per-vehicle park entrance fee. Entrance - Private Vehicle: $30Entrance - Motorcycle: $25Entrance - Per Person: $15Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20Entrance - Per Person: $15
- HoursThe park is open daily except for emergency conditions. The Visitor & Research Center and Mesa Verde Museum are open all year but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Ancestral sites, picnic areas, and trai
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact 970-529-4465 · meve_general_information@nps.gov
Mesa Verde National Park is in Southwest Colorado. The park entrance and the Visitor and Research Center are located ten miles east of Cortez, nine miles west of Mancos, and about 35 miles west of Durango, Colorado along Hwy 160. Mesa top ancestral sites, Cliff dwellings, tours, and the Mesa Verde M
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Mesa Verde National Park — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
Yes Does the America the Beautiful pass work at Mesa Verde National Park?
Yes — your pass covers the entrance fee here.
Yes Can you camp at Mesa Verde National Park?
Yes — camping is available. Reserve ahead where required; you can check availability on Recreation.gov.
Depends Can you have a campfire?
Sometimes — campfires are subject to seasonal fire restrictions and bans. Always check current fire conditions first.
Yes Are there hiking trails?
Yes — trails here include Badger House Community Trail, Balcony House Trail, Chapin Ampitheatre Trail, and more. Check length and difficulty before you go.
Yes Can you bike here?
Yes — biking is available at Mesa Verde National Park. Confirm which roads or trails allow it.
Depends Can you ride OHVs or ATVs here?
Yes — off-highway vehicle use is among the activities here. Stay on designated routes and check any permit or registration rules.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Park Service land.
Yes What are the hours?
The park is open daily except for emergency conditions. The Visitor & Research Center and Mesa Verde Museum are open all year but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Ancestral sites, picnic areas, and trai
Nearby sites
Cortez SRMA
CheckThis Bureau of Land Management site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
NPS Photo National Park Service Yucca House National Monument
ConfirmedFree entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
