VISITATION: Highest in June, July and August; lowest in December, January and February.

LOCATION: Mesa Verde, CO

ADDRESS:
Mesa Verde National Park
PO Box 8
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado 81330

TELEPHONE:
(970) 529-4465

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS: Chapin Mesa Museum, Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling, and the Mesa Top Loop Road (self-guided pithouse and surface pueblo sites) are open all year (weather permitting in the winter months). Cliff Palace is open from approximately mid-April through the first week of November (weather permitting). Balcony House is open from approximately mid-May through mid-October. Ranger guided tours last one hour and are usually given from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily on the hour. Wetherill Mesa (including Long House, Step House, and the Badger House Community sites) is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day only. Ranger guided tours of Long House are given daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the hour. Step House and Badger House are self-guided sites open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Far View Visitor Center is open from mid-April through mid-October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Chapin Mesa Museum is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING: Mesa Verde National Park generally has mild weather during the summer months, and during some winters. Snow storms may occur as late as May and as early as October, but usually both of these months are pleasant. Summer days (June through September) are generally warm to hot, with cool evenings. Afternoon thunder showers are common during July and August. The park receives approximately 18 inches of precipitation each year. Almost half of the precipitation comes in the form of snow. The average snow fall varies between 80 to 100 inches per year. The average maximum temperature in January is 40.3 degrees F. The average minimum temperature in January is 18.4 degrees F. The average maximum temperature in May is 71.2 degrees F. The average minimum temperature in May is 43.6 degrees F. The average maximum temperature in July is 87.5 degrees F. The average minimum temperature in July is 57.5 degrees F. The average maximum temperature in October is 65.7 degrees F. The average minimum temperature in October is 39.2 degrees F.

DIRECTIONS: There are four entrances to the park: the south entrance on Highway 41 north from Fresno, the Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140 west from Merced, the Big Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120 west from Modesto and Manteca and the Tioga Pass entrance on Highway 120 east from Lee Vining and Highway 395. The Tioga Pass entrance is closed from the first major snowstorm in November until approximately early June due to snow. The roads entering the park on its west side are kept open all year, but may require tire chains because of snow anytime between November and April.

FEES, COSTS, RATES: Entrance Fee is $10.00 per private vehicle, good for seven days. Contact the Chief Ranger's Office at (970) 529-4461 for commercial fee information. Tickets are required for Balcony House, Cliff Palace , and Long House tours ($1.75 per person per tour). These sites can only be visited on a guided tour. Tickets can only be purchased at the Far View Visitor Center.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Trails, Roads: One-hundred and ninety-six miles of paved roads within the park, 840 miles of trails. Eight-miles of paved bike path in Grand Canyon Valley. Programs/Activities: Regularly scheduled ranger-led walks, talks and evening programs. Concessioner-operated bus tours, guided horseback rides and bicycle rentals.

Lodging and camping facilities:Morefield Campground is open from late April through mid-October for tents and trailers. No reservations are accepted. There are over 400 standard camp sites in the campground. In 1999 standard sites are $16 per night and hook-up sites are $23 per night (hook-ups have a very limited availability and cannot be reserved). There is a group site which can be reserved if you have a group of 25 people or more. To check on group site availability call 970-533-7731. Group sites are $4 per person with a minimum charge of $50. Morefield Campground has restrooms, and each site has a table, benches and grill. Coin operated showers, a laundry facility, gas station, and general store can be found in Morefield Village adjacent to the campground.

Accessibility: Visiting a cliff dwelling involves strenuous activity and often includes climbing ladders or steps. Spruce Tree House is accessible to wheelchairs with assistance. The path into Spruce Tree House is paved, but because of the natural canyon terrain the trail is steep and DOES NOT meet ADA grade requirements. There are no steps on the Spruce Tree House entrance trail. To enter the site you descend 100 feet in elevation in approximately 1/4 mile and must exit up and out on the same trail. A wheelchair is available for loan at the Chapin Mesa Museum. Due to the need to climb ladders in Cliff Palace and Balcony House it is not possible to have service dogs for the disabled in those two sites. For specific questions about access please contact the park at 970-529-4465 or 970-529-4461. TDD users can call 970-529-4633.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Wilderness permits are required for any overnight travel into the park's back country. The number for Wilderness Permit Reservations is 209-372-0740, the number for Wilderness Information is 209-372-0745. Permits are required for commercial filming, weddings and other special activities through the Special Use Permit Office at (209) 379-1850.