When we were considering visiting Mesa Verde National Park, I wondered if our kids would enjoy it, if they would stay busy, and if they would learn anything. It turned out to be one of our favorite vacations.
Mesa Verde is a great kid-friendly park because there are so many different activities to do and things to see. Activities such as cliff-dwelling tours, junior ranger programs, and hiking allow kids of all ages to enjoy nature and spend time outside without getting bored.
Continue reading for more advice on enjoying Mesa Verde National Park with your family, including things to do, what to prepare for, and how to get the most out of your visit.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is one of my favorite parks. It is full of history, nature, and a variety of things to do. Mesa Verde is best known for its ancient cliff dwellings which were built by the ancestors of modern Puebloan peoples such as the Acoma, Hopi, Laguna, and Zuni. While the cliff dwellings are the most famous feature of the park, the ancient people lived in these villages for a comparatively short period of time. For centuries they lived in the area, farming and settling on the mesa tops before they began building in the cliffs.
Things to Bring When Traveling in the Southwest
While you will definitely want to see the cliff dwellings while you are visiting the park, there are plenty of other things to do as well, including hiking, driving scenic roads, and visiting nearby towns. When you visit with children you will want to make sure you are prepared. One of the most important things to bring with you on any trip in the Southwest is water. Always bring more water than you think you will need, and be prepared in case of an emergency such as a broken-down car or accident while hiking. Here are more things you should consider bringing with you:
- Snacks and food
- Extra clothing and a blanket
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Sunglasses and sun hats
- Maps and GPS (There is no phone service in many areas)
- Survival items like a flashlight
The Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Mesa Verde
The best kid-friendly things to do in Mesa Verde will keep you active and keep them interested. You could easily find enough to keep you busy for a long weekend and still not see everything. If you want to spend a week here, you will be able to add other nearby attractions to your list as well. Here are the most kid-friendly, interesting, and educational activities to do in Mesa Verde National Park.
Hiking
Hiking is one of the best things that kids can do in Mesa Verde. Of course, hiking with kids will look different and will need to be adjusted so that it’s enjoyable for them. When you are hiking with kids in Mesa Verde, make sure that you choose interesting hikes and that they are not too long and tiring.
Cave Dwelling Tours
Seeing cave dwellings is probably the reason that you came to the park in the first place, and not something to be skipped if possible. While researching for your trip, make sure to learn about the different cave tours available and how difficult, accessible, and accommodating each one is. Choose several cave dwellings to tour with your children, but make sure to leave time for other activities, as well.
Camping
Camping in the park (or in a nearby campground) is one of the best ways to enjoy nature with your children. When you are camping, your children will be able to have some time to relax and play without the strictures and regulations that are usually imposed in hotels and while on a national park tour. Children, especially small children, need some downtime in which they can let loose and run, holler, and play without restriction. Camping is one good way to get this downtime.
Ranger Talks
Ranger talks, especially those directed towards children (often called Junior Ranger talks or presentations) are usually interesting and very educational. My kids have enjoyed them, both the ones that are designed for children and regular talks. While some of the information in adult ranger presentations may go over their heads, they usually pick up more than you might expect and enjoy being included. Our children have attended ranger talks in several national parks and they have always been a hit. In Mesa Verde, the ranger programs are often given during guided tours, as well as evening programs in the campground.
Attend a Cultural Program
Mesa Verde is host to cultural demonstrations and dances performed by local descendants of the people who used to live here. While these demonstrations aren’t always happening, if you can manage to catch one it will be well worth your time.
5 Great Hikes to Try With Your Kids While in Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde has more than ancient ruins and history. It is also a beautiful park with wildlife, dramatic scenery, and great weather. When you are visiting Mesa Verde you will want to try at least a few of the trails with your children to enjoy this natural area. Here are 5 hikes that are great options for families:
- Soda Canyon Overlook Trail The Soda Canyon Overlook trail is an easy out-and-back trail that leads to several overlook sites. It may be warm and has little shade during the summer, so bring water. The trail is relatively level and smooth and is a little ever a mile-long round trip- perfect for the littlest legs to attempt.
- Knife Edge Trail A 2-mile round trip out-and-back trail with great views, the Knife Edge Trail leaves from the Morefield campground. This makes it a great option for those who are camping here, as they can hike without driving anywhere. However, the trail is open to everyone. The trail is relatively level and easy and is located near the park entrance.
- Far View Sites This 3/4 mile path winds through a variety of ruins on the mesa top. This is a very easy trail, as it is flat and level. While it’s not paved, most strollers could handle the path. While you take this path you will encounter a variety of different ruins and buildings, some of which you can walk through. Far View Sites is an excellent trail for children, as long as they understand the rules about staying on the path.
- Step House Trail This trail is around 1 mile in length and allows access to Step House, the only cliff dwelling in the park that is open for self-guided tours. However, the dwelling is only open when there is a ranger in attendance to keep an eye on things. The path is paved but relatively steep so expect to put in a little effort. The Step House Trail is on the Weatherill Mesa site of the park.
- Petroglyph Point Trail This challenging and adventurous trail is one of the most fun and highest-rated in the park. However, it does have some steep drop-offs and at least one area where you have to do some rock scrambling. Most people rate it as good for kids, though. It is around 2.5 miles around the loop and the NPS estimates 2 hours to complete. You will see a petroglyph panel as well as climb narrow, steep stairs cut into the rock and squeeze through several narrow crevices. This is a great hike for older kids and teens who get bored easily or who want a challenge. It is not a great hike for people with a fear of heights or a difficult time with tight places.
How to Enjoy Cliff Dwelling Tours With Kids
When you are taking your children on cliff-dwelling tours, there are a few things you should consider. First, make sure that they can physically handle the tour. Some of the cliff dwellings are hard to access and you may need to talk to the staff before choosing to make sure your children will be able to make the trip. The visitor center has information on the difficulty level of various tours and even has examples of the ladders you will have to climb and the narrow places you will have to maneuver so you can be sure you are up for it.
Second, when you are taking a cliff-dwelling tour, make sure your children understand the rules about the dwellings. There are places they are not allowed to go and in some cases, they may not be allowed to touch parts of the dwellings. Make sure they understand the rules and are following them.
Finally, some of the dwellings involve drop-offs, cliffs, and dangerous areas. If your children are too young to understand these areas or are likely to attempt dangerous getaway attempts, you might want to choose the less dangerous tours.
If you want more information about the specific tours and how child-friendly they are, you can read more about our visit here or go to the National Park Service website.
Where to Stay When Visiting Mesa Verde With Kids
When you are visiting Mesa Verde, there are a variety of lodging and camping areas nearby. If you are wanting to save money or you enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, consider camping in the park or one of the nearby campgrounds. If you prefer a more luxurious stay, look into staying in the lodge or a resort. You will also find hotel accommodations in nearby towns.
- Camping This is the favorite way to visit National Parks for many people, who feel like an outdoor visit isn’t complete unless you cook over a fire or see the stars. You can camp inside the park at the Morefield campground, or outside the park at any number of nearby campgrounds, both public and private. If you choose to camp, make sure that you understand the temperature fluctuations in the desert, especially if you are tent camping. It will get cold at night, even during the hottest part of the summer, so make sure you bring warm layers and proper bedding.
- Lodge and Resort Stays If you are in need of a more luxurious vacation stay, consider staying at the Far View Lodge inside the park. You will wake up to amazing views, delicious meals, and ready to explore. There are also nearby resorts as other lodging options.
- Hotel Stays Nearby hotels in Cortez and Mancos are also good lodging options. Other towns, such as Durango and Delores also have lodging but are farther away.
Things to Do Outside of Mesa Verde National Park
There are some fun and educational activities your family can enjoy outside of Mesa Verde National Park.
- Durango Silverton Railroad The Durango Silverton Railroad is on many bucket lists. This historic narrow-gauge railroad travels between the towns of Durango and Silverton, providing unparalleled views of some of the most rugged and scenic areas of the state. Even if you cannot ride on the train, it’s worth checking the schedule on their website so you can watch this amazing steam engine chug into the station.
- Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum If you or your children are at all interested in the lives of the people who used to inhabit this area of the world, it is worth driving into Cortez to visit the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum. The museum has hands-on displays that allow children to envision life in an ancient Native American village. It also has displays, doramas, and artifacts, as well as a short nature walk along the river and 2 archaeological sites outside the museum.
- Four Corners The four corners are the only place in the US where four states meet. The Four Corners Monument is managed by the Navajo Nation and is often full of native artisans selling amazing crafts and souvenirs or performing cultural demonstrations. There is a small entrance fee.
- Powerhouse Science Museum
Conclusion
Mesa Verde is one of my favorite national parks to visit with children. There is so much to see and do, and it excites the imagination of both kids and adults. Wandering through ancient ruins and picturing life as it was lived hundreds of years ago is a rare experience in our young country.
Read more about Mesa Verde in the rest of this series:
The BEST Cliff Dwelling Tour for Your Kids