Exploring Mesa Verde National Park: A Photography Guide

Mesa Verde National Park is a treasured site in the Southwest, designated as the seventh national park in the U.S. in 1906, featuring numerous ancient cliff dwellings. It's recognized as a

World Heritage Site and an International Dark Sky Park. In this article, you'll find a curated list of top attractions and ideal photography times. For details on accommodations, please refer to the

where to stay at Mesa Verde National Park FAQ section.

Why Visit Mesa Verde?

The park boasts over 600 cliff dwellings constructed by the ancestral Pueblo people starting in A.D. 550. These evolved from partially buried pit houses to complex above-ground structures made from stone and mud mortar, featuring wooden beams supporting roofs capped with earth. Kivas, circular ceremonial chambers, were significant too. The settlements were abandoned by 1300, possibly due to climate changes or conflicts. Don't miss the Mesa Verde Museum and Mesa Verde Visitors Center.

Location of Mesa Verde National Park

Nestled in southwestern Colorado, the nearest town is Cortez, where I recommend staying. It's a quick 13-minute drive to the park entrance, but the main sites and cliff dwellings are another 45 to 60 minutes from there.

Maps from the NPS illustrate the primary areas in the park, including Chapin and Wetherill Mesa, which can be up to an hour's drive from the entrance.

The park has two main sections: Wetherill Mesa and Chapin Mesa. Chapin Mesa features Mesa Loop, Cliff Palace Loop, and Spruce Tree House, while Wetherill Mesa is a longer drive from the other locations, which are closer together. Expect 45 to 60 minutes of travel from the entrance to any listed sites. All roads are narrow and winding, so allow extra time for traffic or construction. During my visit, Cliff Palace Loop was closed and is slated to reopen in summer 2025. Check the park website for

detailed maps and road updates before your trip.

Best Photography Locations in Mesa Verde National Park

My favorite photography locations are categorized by their respective areas: Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa.

Chapin Mesa

Chapin Mesa hosts Mesa Loop, Cliff Palace Loop, and Spruce Tree House, making it the park's busiest section. Note that Cliff Palace Loop remains closed as of October 2024, with plans to reopen in early 2025.

Cliff Palace Loop

Located on Chapin Mesa, Cliff Palace Loop was closed for construction during my visit. When open, guided tours to Cliff Palace Dwelling are available for $8 per person. This loop also includes Balcony House and the Soda Canyon Trail.

Mesa Loop

The six-mile Mesa Loop offers a scenic drive with many sights. Sunrise photography isn't possible due to variable opening times, but sunset shots are achievable until the gates close. Watch for law enforcement sweeping the area before closing. While pit houses are interesting, the viewpoints offer the best photo ops. Consider downloading the free Mesa Loop driving tour podcast before your visit.

Square Tower House

This site is shaded in the morning and sunlit in the afternoon. For the best light, shoot in the afternoon, but for tours, morning visits help avoid harsh shadows. The trail is a mile long and includes two ladders, making it my favorite ranger-guided tour of the two I experienced. There's a charming Crow's Nest structure that you can't see from the viewpoint, which we joked looked like a treehouse.

Cliff Palace Viewpoint by Sun Temple

Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House is currently closed due to rock falls, but a beautiful view is available from the ranger's office back porch, offering a better perspective than the lower trail viewpoint. Unlike other areas, this section is open 24/7, making it perfect for sunrise or sunset shoots. If visiting outside peak times, aim for 3-5 p.m. to capture light on the house while minimizing shadows. Be cautious around 6 p.m. as tree shadows can obstruct your shot.

Only recommend sunrise or sunset photography if you're comfortable driving the winding roads at night. They're well-maintained but can be intimidating after dark, especially with wildlife like wild horses present. I wasn't satisfied with my Spruce Tree House photos due to these conditions.

The restrooms at Spruce Tree House are the best in the park, while portable toilets are typically available in Mesa Loop.

Wetherill Mesa

Wetherill Mesa was closed throughout 2024, but the park office anticipates reopening in summer 2025.

Most trails at Wetherill Mesa are flat unless you're touring the cliff dwellings.

At Wetherill Mesa, visitors must walk to reach the sites, as vehicles are restricted beyond the parking area. All trails are flat and bike-friendly—this is the only part of the park where biking is permitted! Be prepared for sun exposure; visit early or be ready for the elements. Open from May to October, this area is usually less crowded. Allow at least half a day to explore all sites, excluding dwelling tours. A ranger is stationed at the entrance desk, and while I've outlined the physically accessible sites, numerous others can be seen from viewpoints. Expect a 45-minute drive to Wetherill Mesa from Chapin Mesa, and about 45-60 minutes from the park entrance!

Step House

Petroglyphs can be found inside Step House at Wetherill Mesa. Although it's not the most impressive dwelling, it's very accessible.

This one-mile roundtrip trail leads from the kiosk through a cliff dwelling that accommodated 30-40 residents. Featuring a reconstructed pit house from 620 and a multi-story pueblo from 1226, this site is the most accessible for self-guided tours, thanks to a ranger always being on duty to answer questions.

Mug House

Mug House isn't marked on maps and can only be visited via a ranger-guided tour. The trail is a three-mile roundtrip from the kiosk and isn't viewable from any overlook. While labeled as strenuous, I found it manageable. I attended the noon tour when the site was still shaded since it faces west. This dwelling was named after three mugs discovered tied together at the site. Tours cost $25 per person, limited to 10 participants.

Long House

Long House, the park's second-largest cliff dwelling with 150 rooms, is only accessible through a ranger-guided tour ($8 per person). It offers the most comprehensive tour available, but unfortunately, it wasn't running during my visit.

Wetherill Mesa Trails

The main path is the paved five-mile Long House Loop, ideal for both hiking and biking. The Kodak House overlook (2.5 miles) and Long House overlook (1.5 miles) are part of this route. Bikes must be parked at the trailhead before walking the short distance to the overlooks. The Badger House Community Trail (2.25 miles RT) connects four mesa-top sites and crosses the Long House Loop trail. The Nordenskiöld Site #16 Trail leads to an overlook of the cliff dwelling and is a two-mile roundtrip. All trails are relatively flat but exposed to sun and wind. I only managed the Nordenskiöld Site #16 Trail due to the heat and fatigue from doing two dwelling tours and Step House consecutively.

Far View Sites

The Far View area was once a mesa-top community and one of the most densely populated spots. A .75-mile trail traverses the ruins of several homes and a reservoir. I visited just before sunset and found this short walk very enjoyable. It's underrated and definitely worth exploring! Open from 8 a.m. to sunset, it's located along the main park road.

Mesa Verde Hiking Trails

Various hiking trails are spread throughout the park. Many I was interested in were closed due to Cliff Palace Loop construction, expected to reopen in 2025. The park's elevation ranges from 7,000 to 8,500 feet, making it difficult to carry camera gear if you're not acclimated. The sun can be harsh with limited shade, so start hikes early. I focused on photography and booked dwelling tours, so I missed other hikes due to the heat. I intended to hike Petroglyph Point but skipped it since I planned to visit Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque shortly after.

The Mesa Verde Museum Association provides free downloadable site guides for Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House, Wetherill Mesa (Step & Long House), and Balcony House.

Photography Tips for Mesa Verde National Park

• Lenses: A 70-200mm zoom lens is essential from the viewpoints for most cliff dwellings; consider a 400mm or a teleconverter for better detail. I rented a Nikon 2X teleconverter for my trip, but a 1.4x teleconverter is sharper and preferable. LensRentals.com

• Filters: A circular polarizer significantly enhances blue skies and reduces glare on rocks, especially when capturing petroglyphs. A graduated neutral density filter also helps manage contrast but may require extra time.

• Bring a Tripod: The winds can be strong, so switch lenses in your car or bring two camera bodies. A tripod is advisable for low light or when using a teleconverter, as the wind can affect stability. I found my Peak Design Travel Tripod ideal for use with my 70-200mm and 2X teleconverter.

• Photo Guide: The entrance kiosk provides an amateur photography guide with a chart detailing the most photographed areas and optimal shooting times during summer. See the chart below.

Mesa Verde FAQs

How Much Time is Needed to Visit Mesa Verde?

Since not all sites are open simultaneously, multiple visits may be necessary to explore everything. For a comprehensive experience, plan at least three to four full days, especially for photography. A single afternoon may suffice for the main sights on Mesa Loop, but the true magic lies in the dwelling tours! Driving from the entrance to any locations takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Expect slow travel times on the narrow, winding roads, particularly if traffic or construction is present. I was only there for two days, which felt too brief, and plan to return in the next year or two.

What are the Costs to Visit Mesa Verde National Park?

Entry fees for private vehicles are $30 from May 10 to October 22 and $20 from October 23 to April 30. Motorcycles are charged $25 during the summer and $15 in winter. The park offers annual passes for $55. If you're visiting multiple national parks, consider the annual pass for $80, covering one vehicle or up to four people. Be prepared for cancellations on Recreation.gov; set reminders and log in at 8 a.m. MDT to secure your spot. I successfully booked all my desired tours with this tactic. Since cell service is limited, save digital tickets to your phone or take screenshots.

Can You Tour the Cliff Dwellings?

Step House is the only cliff dwelling available for free self-guided tours. Several other dwellings offer ranger-assisted or guided tours priced between $8 and $45 per person, which are well worth it, especially for photography. To capture detailed images of the dwellings, you'll need to participate in a tour, which fills up quickly; reservations open at 8 a.m. MST, 14 days in advance. I was ready at my computer when the clock struck 8 to secure my tours! Each tour has a maximum of 10 spots.

Tour availability varies yearly, so check the park website for the latest updates. I experienced Square Tower House in the morning and Mug House in the afternoon; both tours were $25 each. I highly recommend both, with Square Tower House being my favorite. Pay attention to the tour details, as some require ladder climbing on the trail.

Summer offers additional tours, but it's also the busiest season, so anticipate crowds. Other tour options include Long House and Spring House, an eight-mile, full-day tour offered only four times that summer. Limited tours are available on specific dates, which change yearly. For further details on guided tours, refer to the NPS website.

Is There Cell Service in Mesa Verde National Park?

Cell service is largely non-existent throughout the park. Download offline maps before you arrive, keeping in mind that it takes 45-60 minutes to drive from the entrance to the main sites.

Best Times to Visit Mesa Verde National Park

Spring (May) and fall (September and October) are optimal for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Most cliff-dwelling tours operate during these months. Summer offers longer days but also larger crowds and often extreme heat, with limited shade available. Winter access is possible, but facilities are limited, and snow can hinder access. I visited in mid-May and highly recommend that time.

Where to Stay Near Mesa Verde National Park

The most economical option is the Morefield Campgrounds (open May to September, with limited options in October) inside the park, providing direct access to beautiful hiking trails focused on scenery rather than dwellings.

(Starting at $146/night), it's an excellent base for photography, conveniently located away from the park's more daunting driving sections.

There are numerous other camping and RV sites available, along with various hotel chains located on the route to the park or in Cortez, just a 10-15 minute drive from the entrance. I stayed at a place that was cheaper and had higher ratings than the Hampton Inn in Cortez

. (Prices fluctuate by season.) To save money, I brought my own meals and avoided dining out.

This post was initially published in 2021 and updated in February 2025 to include current information.