Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Mesa Verde National Park

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Mesa Verde National Park

  As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi-day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below

  5 hours • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Balcony House

  Located on the Cliff Palace Loop, Balcony House is one of the more adventurous of the cliff house tours as it requires climbing multiple ladders and even squeezing through tight passageways. The best non-tour view of Balcony House is from the Soda Creek Overlook Trail, also located on the Cliff Palace Loop Road. To see inside Balcony House, you must have a ticket for the Ranger-guided tour.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included
• 3
  Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum

  This museum has a superb collection of items and exhibitions and provides an excellent opportunity to experience more of the culture, beyond just seeing the ruins.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included
• 4
  Cliff Palace

  Perhaps the most famous of all the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, Cliff Palace was first re-found by rancher Richard Wetherill, though he'd received tips of its existence from a local Ute member. It is the largest cliff dwelling in North America with 151 rooms and 23 kivas. Getting into Cliff Palace requires a pre-purchased ticket and the tour is considered Ranger-assisted. Your timed visit is supervised by a ranger who provides information, but you are somewhat allowed to self-explore.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included
• 5

  Mesa Verde is most famous for its cliff dwellings and rich archeological sites, but its elevated mesa-top setting also means we get to enjoy some fantastic views in every direction. Though its naming is factually incorrect, the Montezuma Valley Overlook reveals a landscape where we can see as far as 100 miles away. This view is also significant because it shares the locations of other significant pueblo sites in the valley below.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Park Point Overlook Trail

  There are many worthwhile scenic views throughout Mesa Verde, but this one must rank as the best. A full 360 degrees of viewing can be enjoyed from this highest, easily-accessible point in the park. On a clear day you should be able to see into each of the Four Corners states, as well as numerous mountain ranges and specific geological features such as Shiprock.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Spruce Tree House

  Spruce Tree House is located at the same access area as the museum and other park services. Though it is not as large as Cliff Palace, this dwelling is considered the best preserved. It is easily appreciated and photographed from the viewpoint behind the museum. Unfortunately due to some rock falls and destabilization, it is not possible to visit inside the Spruce Tree House for an indefinite time moving forward. There are also 2 popular but somewhat strenuous hiking trails that leave from this location; Petroglyph Point Trail - which as the name suggests, leads to a petroglyph panel, and the Spruce Canyon Trail. Expect each of these hikes to take approx 2 hours.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 8

  Step House is the best opportunity in Mesa Verde to be able to get up-close and personal with a cliff dwelling, but does not require a that you join a ranger-led tour, and that you do not need tickets to see. Step House is located at the end point of the excellent drive along Wetherill Mesa Road. The bonus of visiting Step House is the many outstanding views along the 20 minute each way drive.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 9

  Sun Temple was one of the last mesa-top pueblos built at Mesa Verde. The distinction is that it is built on the land, and not in a cliff alcove - almost like a regular building!

  30 minutes • Admission ticket not included

Additional info

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
• Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.

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