Why Go to Mesa Verde?

Every tourist destination has its attractions. However, because every tourist is different, these attractions have greater or lesser value. In this series Gary gives his reasons for traveling to a particular place. Hopefully some of his thoughts will entice you to consider adding this particular location to your itinerary. The entire series is being categorized under the heading, “Spotlights.” However, you may find more about these locations in the archives of this website, under headings such as, “Great Places,” “Things to Do in,” “Best of,” “Top 10” and “Places of a Lifetime.” In addition, “Walking Tours” of many of these destinations may be available for purchase on the website for the low price of $1.49 each.

Mesa Verde National Park contains some of the best-preserved, Native American cliff dwellings in the entire desert southwest. The park is located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, once the home of the Ancestral Pueblo people who built and occupied these dwellings from about 600 to 1300 AD. All Americans should become familiar with the Native people who inhabited this region long before the arrival of the Christopher Columbus or the Pilgrims. Particularly important sites in the park include the following:

1. The park’s most memorable dwelling is Cliff Palace, which had 150 rooms and over 100 residents.

Cliff Palace

Cliff Palace

2. Balcony House is a medium-sized cliff dwelling with only forty or so rooms.

Balcony House

Balcony House

3. A third major dwelling is Spruce Tree House, the third largest of the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park.

Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House

 

 

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