Mesa Verde National Park

After amazing visits to Rocky Mountain National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the third national park we visited on this trip was Mesa Verde National Park.  I think I underestimated how much I would like this park. It was a great blend of culture and nature. 

 

family photo at the park sign 

 

 

stopping by the visitor's center for a badge and pin 

 

entering the park 

 

This park was large and spread out.  We had already driven three hours just to get there that morning and then did a lot of driving inside the park just to get from place to place. We definitely had car fatigue after this day.

 

 

Our first stop was at Park Point Overlook  

 

 

 

 

Views from Park Point Overlook 

 

 

 

 

Next we drove Wetherill Mesa Road. It is twelve miles long and takes about forty-five minutes to drive each way. It's a narrow, steep, and winding road offering scenic views.  

 

We stopped for a picnic lunch before heading out on the Step House Trail.  I love picnics and getting to have these every day on our trip was a highlight.

 

walking the Step House Trail 

 

Ben under the rock 

 

Step House 

 

Step House 

 

 Step House

 

 Step House

 

Our family exploring Step House in Mesa Verde National Park

 

 Step House

 

 Step House

 

 Step House

 

 Step House

 

 

 Step House

 

Step House 

 

Next, we stopped at the Mesa Verde Museum and gift shop. 

 

 

Behind the museum we visited Spruce Tree House. 

 

Ben admiring Spruce Tree House 

 

Next, we drove the Mesa Top Loop.  It has eleven stops along its 6-mile loop. We stopped at each one. These stops showcase various ancient Pueblo sites, including pithouses, pueblos, and cliff dwellings.

 

Navajo Canyon Overlook

 

 

walking to the Square Tower House Overlook  

 

 Square Tower House Overlook 

 

 Square Tower House Overlook 

 

pithouses 

 

 

 

Sun Point Overview 

 

 

 We also drove the Cliff Palace Loop.  It is six miles long and has eleven stops.  

 

view of Cliff Palace 

 

House of Many Windows 

 

Hemenway House 

 

Soda Canyon Overlook 

 

Soda Canyon Overlook 

 

Balcony House Overlook 

 

 Balcony House Overlook

 

 Balcony House Overlook

 

 Balcony House Overlook

 

The trail back to the car.

From there we had about an hour drive out of the park and into Cortez where we stayed the night.  It had been a long but very beautiful and interesting day. 

 

 

a video of our time at Mesa Verde 

 

We got up early the next morning and drove four hours from Cortez to Mosca to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  I'll share about that scenic drive next.