Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park ranks 3rd on the list of the best places to visit in Colorado. Whether or not you've seen cliff dwellings before, Mesa Verde and the amount of access to the actual ruins that the park allows visitors will take your breath away. Cliff Palace, the park's centerpiece, is one of the most impressive dwellings in the Southwest, with a dramatic setting and incredibly preserved ruins. During the summer high season, ranger-led tours allow you to climb ladders right up into the heart of the dwelling. It is strongly advised that you purchase your Cliff Palace visitor tickets in advance of your visit. Space is limited, and demand is high, particularly during the summer. Tickets can be purchased 14 days before your intended arrival date.

If you're not up for that level of exertion, a nearby overlook provides a panoramic view of the site. Mesa Verde was home to the Ancestral Pueblo, who lived there from around 600 AD to 1300 AD. The park contains thousands of archeological sites, the most spectacular of which are the cliff dwellings. A road provides access to a number of sites, many of which are located on top of the mesa. A number of hiking trails lead to lookouts and interesting sites, including petroglyphs, and do not require a ranger tour. Near the highway is one of the visitor centers, where you can get information on the park and road conditions before driving up. You can book a ranger-led tour of Cliff Palace when you arrive so you know what time to show up for the one-hour tour.

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

Location: Mesa Verde, Colorado, United States

Phone: 970-529-4465

Website: https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm