Full-Day Mesa Verde Discovery Tour

Embark on a Mesa Verde Discovery Tour and delve into the fascinating history of the Ancestral Puebloans. Explore cliff dwellings, archaeological sites, and experience a Ranger Guided tour of the impressive Cliff Palace.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Mesa Verde National Park - Meet at our Durango Office to shuttle over to Mesa Verde with your guide! The drive is incredibly scenic and takes about 45 minutes while driving past the La Plata Mountains.

Once there, you’ll visit the top sites along the mesa before your expedition into Cliff Palace. This portion of the tour lasts about 45 minutes, and includes climbing a narrow staircase and series of ladders to reach the dwellings. The rangers will provide some interpretation, while giving you time to wander beneath the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

Afterwards we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the sites or overlooks, before continuing to more ancient villages and sacred kivas to explore. Expect a lot of information along the way! Our guides offer far more insight and knowledge about the sites than visitors going on their own, as posted information and placards are limited throughout the Park.

After a stop at a spectacular lookout of the Four Corners Region, we’ll shuttle back to Durango!

What's Included
  • Highly Knowledgeable Guide
  • Bottled water
  • National Park fees included
  • Lunch provided
  • Comfortable in-vehicle air conditioning
  • Skip the long lines
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

It’s no question that locals and past visitors consider Mesa Verde National Park a must-visit. It allows us a rare opportunity to experience preserved North American history before European contact. Joining a Mild to Wild guide ensures guests will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of authentic Southwestern culture.

Our Full Day Discovery Tour will show off this outdoor museum with plenty of insight into the ancient indigenous culture, the history of the Park, and more. It’s the best way to get the most out of a day at Mesa Verde.

Our tour vehicles are comfortable, air conditioned, and come with speakers to help you hear your guide’s interp throughout the drive.

*Please note that Cliff Palace tickets sell out quickly, we recommend booking at least two weeks in advance to ensure we have tickets.

  • You must bring your own car seats for children who require them. CO Car Seat Law states that children up to 8 years old must be in an appropriate car seat.
  • Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and water are recommended.
  • Dress in layers. Summer is cool in the morning and hot by the afternoon. Bring a warm coat, hat, and gloves for fall, winter, and spring.
  • Part of the tour may include climbing 10 ft. ladders made of Tree Trunks. Not all travelers are required to participate in this part but this is required in order to exit Cliff Palace
Location
50 Animas View Dr
Animas View Drive
Please meet us at our office no later than 8:15 am. Once you arrive, go inside our office to check in with a Mild to Wild Staff member!
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(158 Ratings)
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Elizabethmo764sa
Jul 30, 2024
An amazing time highlighting the history of the site ! - My wife an I had an amazing time in Mesa Verde our guide Bella was very knowledgeable and kind specially because we had elderly people in our group . We love in and recommend the full day as is so much to see and learn ❤️🙌🏽
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mtnman04302022
Jul 24, 2024
Wonderful Family Tour of Mesa Verde National Park - Our family of 13, spanning three generations, toured Mesa Verde National Park with Tosh as our guide. His commentary gave us a great overview of the history and culture of the area and the Pueblo people who inhabited the area. Even though it was an all day tour, it seemed much shorter. We visited several ruins and the Cliff Palace inside the park. It was an experience that we won't forget, made so by the attractions themselves and Tosh's knowledge and understanding.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kareym122
Jul 23, 2024
Great learning experience - The guide was very knowledgeable and it was great because we were such a small group. It allowed us to he opportunity to move at our pace and see things we wouldn’t have gotten to see in a larger group.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzannebs2068ku
Jul 20, 2024
An Amazing Guide - Papa Dukes was AMAZING!!!! We had the best time ever. Art was extremely knowledgeable and tremendously thoughtful and accommodating. Thank you, Art for giving our women’s group such a memorable experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Toddws3994om
Jul 19, 2024
Worth your dollar. - Our trip to Mesa Verde, was beyond perfection. Our guide 'Art' was knowledgeable, informative, and had a great sense of Humour. I recommend 'Mild to Wild' to anyone seeking a unique adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacqui
Jul 16, 2024
Experience Mesa Verde - Our guide Jay was great and made the day fun. He made a point of getting to know our names and a bit about each of us at the beginning of the tour. He was informative ,knowledgeable & enthusiastic about Mesa Verde Doing the ranger tour of Cliff Palace was also a highlight. Overall a great experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth_s
Jul 16, 2024
Great time with Jay and friends! - I signed up last minute and am so glad that I did-Jay was an outstanding guide, the entire office was friendly and helpful and our group was fun and interesting. I learned a lot about Mesa Verde and the surrounding area and I left the trip feeling inspired and re-invigorated regarding learning more about the history and region. Thanks for a wonderful day and trip!
Review provided by Viator
Gary
Jul 5, 2024
Fantastic day at Mesa Verde Park - We were pleased the way the tour was was organized. We had three groups totaling seven people. Our guide was Miles and he made sure each group was attended too equally. He was very knowledgeable and answered just about every question we asked.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Monarchmomof2
Jul 1, 2024
Fantastic Experience! - I had read many places that acquiring tickets for the Cliff Palace tour at Mesa Verde could be extremely difficult. Our friends who traveled out last year were unable to get tickets the day they visited. Therefore, my husband and I decided it was a good idea to pay for the tour to guarantee our tickets. It did not disappoint. It was very nice to not have to drive! The van was comfortable, and the provided lunch was tasty. Our guide, Art, was helpful and knowledgeable. Not only did he know about the history of Mesa Verde, he even gave us great tips for our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. When I think of Mesa Verde, I associate it with the Cliff Palace. I was very surprised that there were many other archaeological sites there. Art did an excellent job taking us to the various sites to explore the history of the ancient Puebloans. We had a memorable day. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathryn_a
Jul 10, 2024
Good experience - We were grateful for the tickets to see the Cliff Palace as the tour agency had them. We would have liked to have seen more but with a group, you won't be able to do so. The group was fun and the tour guide Jay was personable. We enjoyed the experience and the included lunch. It would have been nice if our parks pass had been included in the cost so we could come back the next day, but it was only the tour for the day. Overall, we planned with short notice, and it was a great option and a good experience.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 14 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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