Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde Fast Facts

How big is Mesa Verde National Park?

Mesa Verde covers a total area of 52,074 acres or 81 square miles.

How many people visit Mesa Verde National Park?

548,477 people visited Mesa Verde in 2021. A table showing all years can be found at Mesa Verde Visitation Stats.

When was Mesa Verde National Park created?

Mesa Verde was made a national park on June 29, 1906.

What are the highest and lowest elevations in Mesa Verde National Park?

Mesa Verde’s lowest point is 6,015 feet in Soda Canyon. The highest point in Mesa Verde is 8,571 feet at Park Point.

What time zone is Mesa Verde National Park located in?

Mesa Verde is in the Mountain Time Zone.

How much does it cost to enter Mesa Verde National Park?

$30 per private vehicle per week (less in winter).

Five Random Facts About Mesa Verde

one Mesa Verde is the only national park in the United States created to protect cultural and historical sites rather than natural features.

two There are more than 4000 archaeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park.

three UNESCO named Mesa Verde National Park a World Heritage Site in 1978.

four Ancestral Pueblo people of Mesa Verde were thought to arrive around 1,400 years ago. They called the area home for about 700 years before abruptly moving away from the area.

five Mesa Verde is Spanish for “Green Table” and sits on the Colorado Plateau.

Where is Mesa Verde National Park?

Mesa Verde National Park is located in the remote southwestern corner of Colorado. The city of Cortez is a short distance from the park, and is generally considered the gateway town for Mesa Verde. Further directions and maps can be found at Getting to Mesa Verde.