Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park protects 52,485 acres of the Mesa Verde plateau in southwest Colorado, preserving over 5,000 archaeological sites including 600 spectacular cliff dwellings. The park represents the largest archaeological preserve in the United States, protecting the works of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here from 600 to 1300 CE. These remarkably preserved structures provide insights into a sophisticated civilization that thrived for over 700 years. Beyond cultural resources, the park protects mesa top ecosystems supporting over 1,000 plant species, 200 bird species, and numerous mammals including black bears and mountain lions. The piñon-juniper woodlands that dominate the landscape have recovered from past fires and continue to provide habitat for wildlife while preserving the setting of the archaeological sites. Endemic plants and isolated populations demonstrate the biological significance of the mesa environment. Mesa Verde implements integrated resource management balancing cultural preservation with natural ecosystem protection. The park manages 600,000 annual visitors through timed tickets for cliff dwelling tours while protecting fragile sites. Research programs combine archaeological investigation with ecological monitoring while restoration efforts stabilize ancient structures and restore fire-adapted ecosystems.

Water Features

Seasonal springs, Seeps

Ecosystem

This destination features a temperate forest ecosystem.