This site is self-guided and involves only a long but gentle path. The buildings are somewhat similar to the Cliff Palace so is a good alternative if you don't do ladders. More

The spirit of the place. Also, I liked that I was able to explore it at will, on my own, with Park rangers available to answer questions. It's more of an intimate experience than being with a big tour group, though I understand why they require that at the other MV ruins. These are precious resources to be protected, and... More

This is worth the long drive (~13mi) from the park entrance. Overall, its a very easy hike down an asphalt covered path. There's an opportunity to go down a kiva once you reach the site. The museum displays are very good and our kids appreciated the history of the dwelling as well as seeing a lot of ancient tools and... More

This is self guided and a great way to see the cliff dwellings at your own pace. More

Beautiful site. Helpful rangers onsite. Fascinating history. More

Spruce Tree House is the only ruin at Mesa Verde that is open year round. You will have a pleasant hike down to the ruin and then take a self guided tour of the kivas and dwellings. A park guide is on hand to answer your questions! You can even climb down a ladder and descend into a reconstructed kiva!... More

We visited at the end of March, when most of the services and tours were closed. However, we loved the road climbing up into the park (we hadn't expected this level of elevation gain), the excellent Visitor Center, and the Spruce Tree House. A paved path, quite steep with switchbacks, takes you to the cliff dwelling, where you can get... More

If you are not familiar with pueblo history, there is an interesting and informative 25 minute film (shown on the hour and half hour) at Chapin Mesa Museum. It is only a short walk along a paved path from the museum to Spruce Tree House, which is advertised as the best preserved of the pueblo dwellings at Mesa Verde. There... More

At present, the visitor center and lodge and most trails are closed but the museum near Spruce Tree House is open and serving as a visitor center. Spruce Tree House is accessible by paved pathways that switchback down 500 feet near the canyon floor. Once there, you are very close to the cliff dwellings of the ancestral pueblo people. the... More