1.3K

Mesa Verde National Park preserves the cliff dwellings of the ancestral Puebloan people known as the Anasazi. The park spreads over more than 52,000 acres in the Montezuma County in southern Colorado in the US.

Mesa Verde in Spanish means “green table” in English. The cliff dwellings constitute some of the best preserved archeological sites in the country. The Anasazi lived in the Mesa Verde region between 200 AD and 1300 AD. Over 600 of these dwellings are recorded in the national park including the famous Balcony House, Square Tower House, and Cliff House. In all, the national park protects over 5,000 archeological sites and others are continually being discovered. The south-west Colorado plateau on which the Mesa Verde National Park is located, features elevations of about 6,000 to 8,500 feet.

The Mesa Verde villages were initially discovered in 1874. The rock-cut dwellings were soon despoiled by collectors and treasure hunters. By 1889, much of the artifacts in the region were sold in a large pottery sale conducted by the collectors. At about this time, archaeologists started to study and excavate the remains. By 1906, the site came under the protection of the Federal Antiquities Act and has been well-preserved ever since.

Hiking in the park is allowed only on a few trails:

Morefield Trailheads

• Prater Ridge Trail: It starts at the west end of Morefield Campground, moves up Prater Ridge and returns through the same route.
• Knife-Edge Trail: It is a 2-mile trail that offers scenic views of Montezuma Valley.
• Point Lookout Trail: You may pick this trail for excellent views of the Montezuma and Mancos valleys.

Other trailheads include Chapin Mesa Trailheads and Wetherill Mesa Trailheads that offer several exotic trails.

Mesa Verde National Park Map

Video Tour of  Mesa Verde National Park, US

Facts about Mesa Verde National Park

• The Mesa Verde National Park was founded on June 29, 1906.
• It was designated a National Historic Place on October 15, 1966.
• It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
• The credit of the construction of this park goes to President Theodore Roosevelt.

Where is Mesa Verde National Park?

The Mesa Verde National Park is in Southwestern Colorado. The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is located near the entrance of the park, just off Highway 160. The park can be reached within a half-an-hour drive from the Cortez Municipal Airport.

Best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park

If you wish to indulge in some of the adventurous activities, then winter is the perfect time to visit the Mesa Verde National park as it opens opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing snow-covered trails.

Mesa Verde National Park Address

PO Box 8

Mesa Verde National Park CO, 81330

Mesa Verde National Park Hours

The visitor center opens at the following timings:

• January 2 to April 8: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• April 9 to May 25: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• May 26 to September 4: 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• September 5 to September 30: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• October 1 to October 28: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• October 29 to December 31: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

The Visitor Center and the museum are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Morefield Ranger Station is open between June and August.

Mesa Verde National Park Tickets

Entry fees for Private Vehicle

Dates	Fee
Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2016	$10
Jan 2 – April 30, 2017	$15
May 1 – Oct 31, 2017	$20
Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2017	$15

Ref: https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Know more fees at: https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/fees.htm

More about Mesa Verde National Park

Nearby Attractions: Anasazi Heritage Center, Yucca House National Center, Mancos State Park, Sun Temple, Pueblo Village, and Crow Canyon Archeological Center.

Related: Other Colorado National Parks | Colorado Travel Map | Mesa Verde National Park Infographics | Hotels In Colorado

 

6.9K

Alaska, though the largest state of the United States, is separated from the rest of the US by Canada. Located in the northwest of the North American continent, this glacier state is the 4th least populated among the US states. To the north of Alaska is the Arctic Ocean and to the south and the west is the Pacific Ocean.

Alaska covers over 663,268 sq mi and boasts of some breathtaking landscapes. The state is covered with a number of glaciers making it the ideal destination for adventure and nature loving tourists.

Much of interior Alaska comprises uninhabited wilderness. Places to visit in the state include the American Indian cultural centers, museums, historical sites, heritage centers and national parks.

Where is Alaska ?

The state of Alaska is located in the northwest of the North American continent. Find more through Alaska Location Map

Alaska Tourist Attractions Map

Places to Visit in Alaska

Alaska’s natural beauty attracts a large number of the visitors to this state. The state has about fifteen national parks, which are its key attractions. The following are the major tourist attractions of the state:

• Denali National Park: The Denali National Park is home to the magnificent Mt. McKinley, the highest peak of North America. The snow covered peak attracts thousands of visitors and climbers each year. Claims are that this national park has the best wildlife viewing safari in the continent. The national park is home to a variety of wildlife including the grizzly bear, fox, caribou, moose, and lynx. It is a tourist destination which is open all through the year. Check this Denali National Park Map for more info.
• Kenai Fjords National Park: The Kenai Fjords National Park covers a tidewater glacier and the Harding Ice Field – the major attraction for most visitors. Home to a variety of marine wildlife, the park offers many tour boats and great cruise options. The biggest king salmon fish is found in the Kenai River. Check this Kenai Fjords National Park Map for more info.
• Katmai National Park This protects 9,000 years of human history and the important habitat of Salmon and thousands of brown bears. You’ll find 18 individual volcanoes in this park, out of which seven parks have been active since 1900. Check this Katmai National Park Map for more info.
• Glacier Bay National Park: Home to twelve tidewater glaciers, the Glacier Bay National Park is the largest water area park of United States. It is also one of the highest places for whale watching.
• Prince William Sound: Named by George Vancouver, the Prince William Sound is a sound or strait in the Gulf of Alaska. Some of the amazing tidewater glaciers are found in this sound. Some of these glaciers descend from the Chugach Mountains.
• Anchorage: Anchorage is the largest city of Alaska and is famous for its museums. Anchorage also offers a number of cultural attractions, fine dining options, and luxurious hotels. This city has the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which is must-visit for visitors. In winter this city also offers great skiing opportunities.
• Fairbanks: Located north of the Denali Park, Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska and is famous for the occurrence of the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights, the astrophysical phenomena. Between the months of April and August, the Northern Lights illuminate the night sky and provide some very picturesque views. During the summer months, Fairbanks receives 22 hours of sunlight. The Ice Museum and Alaska Museum are also the major attractions of the city.
• Juneau: Juneau is the capital city of Alaska and is one of the top most tourist destinations of the state. Here one can enjoy the pristine scenery and the adventurous activities the city has to offer. Whale watching, hiking, and cultural activities attract most tourists to the city.
• Chugach State Park: Chugach State Park is a state park in the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. It is located in the Chugach Mountains and has an area of 495,204 acres of land, and is the third-largest state park in the country. The park is split into three different zones and has three public campgrounds. The Seward Highway follows part of the park along the Turnagain Arm. The most popular site along the highway is the Beluga Point Mile 110.5, which is named after the Beluga whales that frequent this area. The park has Alaskan information available at the Eagle River Nature Center.
• Sitka National Historical Park: Also known as Indian River Park, Sitka National Historical Park is located in Sitka. The park commemorates the Tlingit and Russian experiences in Alaska. It is the state’s oldest federally designated cultural and historic park. It is managed by National Park Service and covers 112 acres of land. The park was established as a National Monument on March 23, 1910, and was re-designated a national historic park on October 18, 1972.
• Sitka National Monument: Sitka National Monument is located on Sitka Bay. It covers an area of 57 acres and was established as a national monument by presidential proclamation on March 23, 1910. The site includes an ancient village of the Kik-Siti Indians, relics of the aboriginal life of the region, and the 16 totem poles. Witch tree is an interesting feature of the monument. It was here that the natives are believed to have held their trials for witchcraft.

Major attractions in Alaska

State Parks	Chugach State Park, Kachemak Bay State Park, Afognak Island State Park, Wood-Tikchik State park
Beaches	Buskin Beach, Monashka Bay Beach, Petroglyph Beach, Fourth of July Beach.
Museums	Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, Aurora Ice Museum, Alaska State Museum, Pratt Museum
Historical Places	Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, Ladd Field, Onion Portage Archeological District, Stika National Historical Park.
Other Places	Sitka National Monument, Totem Heritage Center, Iditarod National Historic Trail, Denali National Park.

Related: Hotels in Alaska | Museums in Alaska