Getting To Mesa Verde National Park

There’s only one entrance into Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. This is via a turnoff from Highway 160 between the towns of Mancos and Cortez, Colorado and about 35 miles (56.3 kilometers) west of Durango, Colorado. 

Flying

The nearest airport to Mesa Verde is the Durango-La Plata County Airport, which serves United and American airlines. There are two other smaller airports, Cortez Municipal Airport, serving Key Lime Air DBA Denver Air Connecting, in Cortez, Colorado, and Four Corners Regional Airport in Farmington, New Mexico, serving United Express.

Driving

Highway 160 is the only entrance into Mesa Verde. It’s 35 miles (56.3 kilometers) west of Durango, and 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) east of Cortez, Colorado. Once you turn onto the park road Ruins Road), it is then a 21-mile (34-kilometer) drive to the first view of a cliff dwelling. Ruins Road is a steep, narrow, winding road with a number of pullouts and overlooks that may be filled with vehicles, so please watch the road and follow the posted speed limit.

Trailers and towed vehicles are not permitted beyond Morefield Campground. If not camping, you may park these vehicles in the large parking lot located near the entrance station.

 Bus Transportation

There is no public bus transportation into the park. However, there are guided tours from Durango, such as those offered by durangorafting.com, visitmesaverde.com, durangoadventures.com, and durangorivertrippers.com.

Bicycling

Bicycles may be ridden on established public roads (except Wetherill Mesa Road) and parking areas. Below are safety tips and park regulations which cyclists should follow for a safe and enjoyable visit.

• Due to the steep nature of the park road, lack of shoulders and poor condition of the pavement, organized bicycle groups are prohibited.
• Bicycles are not allowed on trails in most of the park. However, there are some trails on Wetherill Mesa open to bicycles. (Please see Wetherill Mesa below for details.)
• Bicycle riders must comply with all traffic regulations, ride in single file, and as far to the right side of the road as possible.
• Each bicycle must exhibit a white light on the front visible from 500 feet (152.4 meters) and a red light or reflector on the rear visible for 300 feet (91.4 meters) during periods of low visibility and in the tunnel (between mileposts 4 and 5).
• Bicycle riders may not be attached to or towed by a motor vehicle.
• No bicycle shall be used to carry more people at one time than it was designed and equipped to handle.
• Wetherill Mesa: Please note that bicycles are not allowed on the Wetherill Mesa Road. Once out on Wetherill Mesa, the 5-mile (8-kilometer) Long House Loop is open for bicycles. Some additional trails on Wetherill Mesa are open for bicycles, while others are for pedestrians only. Please check signs at trailheads before taking your bicycle on any trail. Bicycles are only permitted on trails marked open to bicycles.
• E-bikes are allowed in the park where traditional bicycles are allowed. (E-bikes are a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts/1 h.p.) E-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited.

There is a gas station as well as an EV charging station at Morefield Campground within the park, and EV chargers at Far View Lodge, also within the park. In addition, there are EV chargers at Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park and Mesa Verde RV Resort, both along Highway 160 between Cortez and the park turnoff.

There is a small grocery store and cafe at Morefield Campground and convenient-store supplies at both Far View Terrace. Far View Lodge’s Metate Room serves dinner, Far View Terrace Café offers breakfast and lunch, and Spruce Terrace Café offers meals from 11 a.m. through mid-afternoon, depending upon the season.