Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made this area their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300 CE.

The park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, which are some of the most notable and best-preserved in the United States. These ancient structures, built into alcoves and perched on cliff faces, showcase a remarkable architectural, cultural, and historical legacy.

Beyond its rich cultural heritage, Mesa Verde encompasses a diverse landscape of high plateaus, steep canyons, and panoramic vistas that stretch over 52,485 acres. The park's elevation ranges from about 6,000 to over 8,500 feet, supporting a variety of plant and animal life adapted to its semi-arid environment. From the juniper and piñon pine forests to the sweeping views from Park Point, the highest point in the park, Mesa Verde National Park offers a unique combination of natural beauty and historical depth.

Biome at Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The park's diverse landscape includes several biomes that are shaped by its elevation, climate, and geographic features. Keep on reading to learn more about the biomes at Mesa Verde National Park

Airports Near Mesa Verde National Park

This is a list of the closest airports to the park, if you plan on flying into Mesa Verde click here to read our recommendations.

Distance to Park Drive Time
Cortez Municipal Airport 24.0 miles 20 mins Get Directions
Durango-La Plata County Airport 78.8 miles 54 mins Get Directions
Animas Air Park 97.7 miles 1 hour 21 mins Get Directions
Four Corners Regional Airport 110.8 miles 1 hour 13 mins Get Directions
Telluride Regional Airport 131.5 miles 1 hour 34 mins Get Directions
Stevens Field 150.9 miles 1 hour 41 mins Get Directions
Blanding Municipal Airport 151.1 miles 1 hour 38 mins Get Directions
Montrose Regional Airport 230.7 miles 2 hours 47 mins Get Directions
View Airports on a Map

Cities Near Mesa Verde National Park

Here are some of the closest cities and towns near the park, take a look at our recommendations for where to stay when visiting Mesa Verde.

Distance to Park
Cortez 20.6 miles Get Directions
Mancos 25.3 miles Get Directions
Shiprock / Naatʼáanii Nééz 47.1 miles Get Directions
Durango 55.4 miles Get Directions
Farmington 56.2 miles Get Directions
Aztec 59.4 miles Get Directions
Bloomfield 68.8 miles Get Directions
Blanding 100.3 miles Get Directions
Telluride 103.3 miles Get Directions
Monticello 107.7 miles Get Directions

Mesa Verde National Park TimeZone

The timezone at Mesa Verde is America/Denver, the current time here is:

Sunrise and Sunset Times at Mesa Verde National Park

This table shows the sunrise and sunset times at Mesa Verde for the next 10 days, use it to plan your day around Mesa Verde stunning displays.

Date

Sunrise

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December 22, 2024 07:23 17:02
December 23, 2024 07:23 17:03
December 24, 2024 07:24 17:03
December 25, 2024 07:24 17:04
December 26, 2024 07:24 17:04
December 27, 2024 07:25 17:05
December 28, 2024 07:25 17:06
December 29, 2024 07:25 17:06
December 30, 2024 07:25 17:07
December 31, 2024 07:26 17:08

Weather at Mesa Verde National Park

This table shows weather averages around the year at Mesa Verde National Park, it provides information on average rainfall, as well as maximum and minimum temperatures. Be sure to consult it when planning your trip.

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January -6.9 °C / 5.5 °C 0.0mm Bad Weather
February -4.2 °C / 9.6 °C 0.0mm Bad Weather
March -0.9 °C / 12.8 °C 0.0mm Bad Weather
April 2.4 °C / 19.3 °C 0.0mm Good Weather
May 7.1 °C / 24.3 °C 0.0mm Perfect Weather
June 12.9 °C / 31.8 °C 0.0mm Perfect Weather
July 17.1 °C / 33.7 °C 0.0mm Bad Weather
August 15.9 °C / 31.9 °C 0.0mm Perfect Weather
September 11.1 °C / 27.6 °C 0.0mm Perfect Weather
October 3.4 °C / 20.2 °C 0.0mm Good Weather
November -2.4 °C / 13.3 °C 0.0mm Bad Weather
December -9.6 °C / 5.0 °C 0.0mm Bad Weather