Mesa Verde N.P.

[Mellow]

Location:
9 miles east of Cortez and 35 miles west of Durango in Southwestern Colorado on US Highway 160
(970) 529-4465


This park is home of the "cliff dwellings" you've probably seen on TV. I didn't have the time to see them on this trip as the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley were my main goals. But, next time I come here I'm going to take the tour.

Date of visit:
September, 2004

Weather:
Warm and comfortable.
There seemed to be storms developing in the distance all the time but they never hit.Campground Condition:

This is a very nicely kept campground.
The bathroom/shower facilities are very nice but they are at the headquarters area, would be nicer if they were closer but not a deal stopper.
The park roads are also very well kept.
There's a store/gift shop (a little expensive but aren't they all), showers and a nice laundry at the main entrance where you pay for the sites.
You can't tell by the pic but the sites in the location I was put were kind of small, only one good flat spot for a tent. I didn't have time to look around at the other areas of the park and check them out.Area Riding:
The Grand Canyon is doable but it's a pretty full day ride.
Four Corners is in the area, it's not someplace I'd go back to since it's really just a tourist trap but I suppose it's okay to say you've been there once.
Monument Valley and Valley of the Giants is in the area and you've got to go there as it's truly a scenic wonder.

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247748-Ti.jpg (http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247748-M.jpg) http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247759-Ti.jpg (http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247759-M.jpg) http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247751-Ti.jpg (http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247751-M.jpg) http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247805-Ti.jpg (http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58247805-M.jpg)
Additional Information:
Mesa Verde National Park website (http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm)Current Weather (http://www.wunderground.com/US/AR/Morrilton.html?bannertypeclick=miniStates)




(http://www.wunderground.com/US/CO/Mesa_Verde.html?bannertypeclick=miniStates)http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/miniStates_both/language/www/US/CO/Mesa_Verde.gif (http://www.wunderground.com/US/CO/Mesa_Verde.html?bannertypeclick=miniStates)

[TexasShadow]

I camped there last September on my way to Moab, UT. And I intend to return.

Couple comments:

Be aware of the weather. I got caught in hail, freezing rain, snow, repeat, just west of Durango and on the way up to the campground. Visibility near zero, wet, cold....snow?? Argh!!
Deer everywhere. And they don't move. Loud horns are very useful.
The campsite roads and maps are confusing, some of the smaller roads with sites are pea gravel.
There are several service facilities, including a VERY nice restaurant near the top (15 miles from where I camped). Expensive but excellent food and the view is awesome. A smaller snack/burger place mid-way with outdoor patio seating. Touristy, but when you're wet, cold and want a bottomless mug of coffee....
If you plan on hiking to the various cliff dwelling sites, plan on more than a day or two. The hikes are tremendously rewarding.
The twisting corkscrew roads are awesome to ride, but watch out for camper trailers, etc. They tend to wander over the center line.
Campsites vary from sheltered by trees to in the open. And vary in size, too, as mentioned.
Lots of wildlife: deer, coyotes, bear, eagles, kids, etc.


If you are interested in any pics from the park, I can post them per request.

The park staff were wonderfully helpful and friendly. They gave me hot soup and coffee when I walked in dripping soaking wet and frozen to obtain my campsite. The guides for the cliff dwelling tours vary from okay to extremely knowledgeable (my guide was a PhD cultural anthropologist; from her I learned more about the history, cultural and geological, in that entire region than I could ever glean from a book).

Take water with you, no matter what time of year. Camelbac time.

It is a fantastic place to ride, camp, hike and just be overwhelmed in awe.

Oh, and it's only a skip and a hop from Moab.

[Big Bandit]

I was there in June or July, many years ago. It rains almost every afternoon, during the summer, for about 45 minutes, in that part of CO. My ex-wife and I arrived in the morning and after lunch the park started to fill up, then here came the afternoon rain and everyone left. We put on our raingear and kept touring the cliff dwellings. The rain stopped after 30-45 minutes and we basically had the park all to ourselves. It was awesome! Well worth the trip.

[Lyle]

TexasShadow, you forgot to mention the fog. :eek:

You are right about the staff. People don't come any nicer.

[RASZ]

I camped at Mesa Verde. The have one area just for tent camping and the spots were small. I rode in on my scooter buy camped in one of thr other areas and had plenty of room. I freaked out a bit when they mentioned bear and that I would have to keep my food in the bear box or hung from a tree

[Trailace]

I camped at Mesa Verde. The have one area just for tent camping and the spots were small. I rode in on my scooter buy camped in one of thr other areas and had plenty of room. I freaked out a bit when they mentioned bear and that I would have to keep my food in the bear box or hung from a tree


Welcome RASZ!

[thatdude]

stayed 3 nights wish it had been more. lots to see