You Can Find A Fascinating 800 Year-Old Archaeological Site At Mesa Verde National Park In Colorado
If you have never visited the Centennial State, you may be surprised to learn that we are full of historic charm. Though we were the 38th state to be admitted to the Union, we have a history that spans much further than our statehood. In fact, at the Mesa Verde archaeological site, you’ll find a gigantic nod to local history that dates back nearly a thousand years. Are you ready to hike out to one of our most magnificent landmarks? Tie those hiking boots tight and let’s hit the trail – this National Park in Colorado is an amazing place.
Hiding amidst the 52,485 acres of Mesa Verde National Park is an archaeological site that's downright astonishing.
Cliff Palace is a unique structure in Southwest Colorado, dating between circa 1190 and 1260. To put that age into perspective, this incredible archaeological site is older than the emergence of Modern English. But age, believe it or not, is not what makes this site unique.
Cliff Palace is the largest archaeological cliff dwelling on the continent.
Cliff dwellings, if you are unfamiliar with the concept, are incredible works of engineering tucked into caves or natural openings in a cliff. Cliff Palace was built in roughly 20 years and was abandoned by 1300, making its abandonment something of a mystery. This site was formerly occupied by the Ancestral Puebloans, one of four ancient indigenous cultures in the Southwest. They thrived in the area for thousands of years, ranging back to the Archaic Early Basket-Maker Era circa 7000 B.C.E. As this site demonstrates, the culture perfected its architectural arts well before the arrival of European settlers in what would become the United States.
Between this site's abandonment and its rediscovery in 1888, Cliff Palace took on the trials and tribulations of time.
The elements weathered this site and caused some masonry to chip away, but the incredible architecture remains to this day. Some portions, like a square tower reaching nearly to the roof (see photo above) had to undergo restoration by the National Park Service.
At Cliff Palace, visitors will spot 23 kivas, or round ceremonial rooms.
Kivas were used for rituals and politics alike, and Cliff Palace was constructed with an impressive number of kivas. This leads archaeologists to believe that this was a site that was likely used for both ceremonial and administrative work.
If you'd like to visit this scenic site, Cliff Palace Loop Road will take you on what is arguably the most scenic tour in Colorado.
Admiring this site from afar really brings its largeness into perspective. A mere 100 people are thought to have populated this site, though it is thought to have around 150 rooms.
Of course, you can also see this site up close via a guided tour.
Ranger-guided tours are offered daily between April and October. Tickets go on sale in March of each year, empowering you to plan your trip in advance! Tickets can be purchased online, but they do tend to sell out fast, so you'll want to try to think ahead when planning this adventure.
With the guided ranger tour, you'll be surprised at how close you will be to local history.
This site is truly fascinating. Everything from the design of the buildings to the material used to make the cliff dwelling's mortar tells us of the people that once lived here.
The tour is about an hour in total and requires a bit of physical endurance, so keep that in mind before you go.
The tour requires visitors to climb four ladders as well as ascend some uneven stone steps, so be sure to wear proper footwear or postpone your visit if an injury prevents easy travel. Cameras are welcome, but all gear must be able to be transported hands-free - after all, you will need your hands to climb those ladders.
This magnificent site belongs on everyone's National Park bucket lists, as it is truly an archaeological gem.
Whether you're a local or a tourist, you must see this stunning historical site. There's no place quite like it!
Cliff Palace is doubtlessly the most magnificent yet humbling archaeological site in Colorado. Have you ever visited this pretty place? We’d love to hear about your visit in the comments! Craving more local history? Check out this hiking trail where dinosaurs once walked.
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Address: Cliff Palace Overlook, Colorado 81330, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park to Visit in Colorado
February 22, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best state parks in Colorado?
Colorado is a state with unparalleled natural beauty and splendid landscapes, and its many state and National Parks reflect this sense of awe. Colorful Colorado is home to 42 amazing state parks, and each of them is worth a visit for sure, be they beautiful, historic, or otherwise interesting (and they all are). It’s tough to delegate which ones are the “best”, though some do tend to get mentioned time and time again by visitors and locals alike. Some of those popular, much-beloved state parks in Colorado, which one might argue are the “best” ones, include Eldorado Canyon State Park, an underappreciated gem in Eldorado Springs featuring a canyon that’s easily one of the best in the state. In Colorado Springs is Cheyenne Mountain State Park, which is perfect for those seeking a quiet afternoon hike or bike trip. We also love Rifle Falls State Park, which might actually be one of the most beautiful places in the entire state. Need more? Take a look at this list of ten amazing state parks in Colorado.
What are the best easy hiking trails in Colorado?
Colorado is home to literally thousands of amazing hiking trails, many of which are fun, easy, and perfect for folks of all skill levels. Many of our favorite easy hiking trails in Colorado are within Rocky Mountain National Park, like the amazing Dream Lake Trail (two miles long) and Alberta Falls Trail (1.6 miles long). There are plenty of hikes just about everywhere else, though, too, and one must be careful not to get unintentional tunnel vision trying to plan a Colorado hiking adventure. Be sure to check out trails at places other than RMNP like Red Rocks Trading Post Trail, a 1.5-mile trek through the scenic landscape of Red Rocks Park, and the Palmer/Buckskin-Charley/Niobrara/Bretag Trail Loop (WHEW) is four miles long and can be found at Garden of the Gods. Colorado is amazing and well worth exploring every single step of.
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Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
