Unique Sights At Mesa Verde National Park
An Overview of Mesa Verde
Found high in a series of rolling mountains, there are more than 4,000 known archeological sites belonging to the mysterious Ancestral Pueblo peoples who once defined the region. Their immense structures involve stacked stones embedded in cliff overhangs, creating towers, religious sites, homes and fortifications overlooking sheer cliffs. Though the fate of the Ancestral Pueblo people is unknown, their wonderous society left many unique sights at Mesa Verde National Park.
Unique Sights At Mesa Verde National Park
Spruce Tree House
This is the third-largest cliff dwelling of the Mesa Verde archeological site, with multi-dwelling rooms crafted into stone cliffs.
Cliff Palace
This is the largest cliff dwelling in North America with huge stones embedded into overhangs by the Ancestral Puebloan peoples. Cliff Palace is believed to have been used for social, administrative and ceremonial purposes.
Square Tower House
These cliffside ruins built into a daunting cliff are best known for the 28-foot tall tower braced against the cliff wall.
Sun Temple
This is a well-preserved clifftop archeological site believed to be used for Ancestral Puebloan astronomy.
Sun Point View
This is a popular vantage point in the national park, since six of the more prominent ancient structures can be seen from this viewing platform.
Balcony House
This site is home to an extensive complex of cliff dwellings.
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
This is an easy 1.2-mile circular trail which leads past canyon foliage and junper trees. The path is known for its excellent views overlooking Soda Canyon.
Pithouse
Though the cliff dwellings and ruins are the main draw to Mesa Verde, the national park is home to other ruins as well. These include the pithouses, domed buildings embedded in the earth with ancient amenities and storage spaces.
Coyote Village Archeology Site
This site is home to numerous ruins and walls retaining their lower shapes atop cliffs in the national park.
Step House
While many of the cliff dwellings require guides, the Step House is a free, self-guided tour. Visitors can hike to a series of cliffside structures by following the one-mile-long Step House Trailhead located next to the Wetherill Mesa kiosk.
Long House
Starting at the Wetherill Mesa information kiosk, the Long House can be reached with two-hour guided ranger tours which involve a total of 2.25 miles of hiking. Visiting the site requires advanced booking as well as the ability to climb several ladders around the site.
Hawkins Preserve
Found in the city limits of Cortez, one of the major urban centers near Mesa Verde, this preserve protects dramatic landscapes, cultural resources, interesting natural formations as well as local wildlife.
Sand Canyon Pueblo
Found to the West of Cortez, this ancient Pueblo Indian village has been partially excavated with many of its ruins encased in overgrowth. There are interpretive signs for visitors describing the archeological and cultural finds of the region.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Found to the West of Cortez, near the Colorado-Utah border, this is a national monument protecting culturally and archaeologically significant landscapes in the region. There are more archaeological sites per mile in this region when compared to anywhere else in the United States.
Four Corners Monument
Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico share a unique, perpendicular border with one another. Visitors are able to place one limb in each state at the same time near this monument.
Creations from Mufflers
Found in Cortez, this is a whimsical roadside attraction where car parts have been repurposed into little, metal sculptures.
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