Best Mesa Verde National Park Day Trips & Things to Do

The famous cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park were built by the Pueblo indians from 600 to 1,300 A.D. Since their discovery in 1888, these incredibly preserved homes have become permanently etched in the American consciousness. The most elaborate of these is aptly named Cliff Palace: a must-see on any visit to Mesa Verde National Park. Other noteworthy destinations include the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and Spruce Tree House, which are open all year round, and Wetherill Mesa, which is open to the public during the summer months. The park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.