Mesa Verde National Park Facts

MEDIA CONTACT

Lauren Pearce
RIESTER for ARAMARK Parks and Destinations
P: (602) 462-2252
C: (602) 345-0858
lpearce@riester.com

LOCATION

Mesa Verde National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, adjacent to the Four Corners region of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico

GETTING THERE

Plane - The nearest airports are in Cortez (CEZ) and Durango (DRO), Colorado
Car - Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings and ancient sites are a one-hour drive from Cortez, heading east on Highway 160 to the park turnoff, and a 1.5 hour drive from Durango, heading west on Highway 160 to the Park turnoff.

RESERVATIONS

866-292-8295
www.visitmesaverde.com

OVERVIEW

Mesa Verde National Park is the largest archaeological preserve in North America and an integral part of the Southwest’s Grand Circle region. A World Heritage site, Mesa Verde has been named “Number One Historic Monument in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler and “One of 50 Places to Visit in a Lifetime” by National Geographic.

HISTORY

The Ancient Puebloans called Mesa Verde home for more than 700 years from 500 A.D. to 1300 A.D. During that time, they built over 4,400 sites including 600 cliff dwellings before suddenly leaving the land in the 13th century. Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 by Theodore Roosevelt to protect these ruins and is the first and only national park designated specifically for the preservation of human culture.

SEASONS

Mesa Verde National Park and the Chapin Mesa Museum are open year-round. Visitor accommodations, Interpretive guided and self-guided tours and Far View Visitor Center is open mid-April through mid-October and limited services are available in winter.

LODGING

Far View Lodge - Right in the heart of Mesa Verde National Park, Far View Lodge is the most convenient location for visiting the park and offers the best views from any accommodations in the area. Situated 8,250 feet above sea level, Far View Lodge offers spectacular views into four states. The Southwestern-style lodge offers 150 rooms, dining, a gift shop, seasonal events and activities and is the embarking point for many guided tours.

CAMPGROUND

Mesa Verde National Park Morefield Campground Mesa Verde’s Morefield Campground is located in a large wooded area 4 miles within the Park. The 435-site campground includes amenities such as a café, gas station, an RV station, hot showers, coin-operated laundry and a grocery store, as well as access to food, supplies and firewood. Sites include a barbecue grill, picnic table and benches, Wi- Fi access and 15 full hook-up RV sites.

DINING

Metate Room - This upscale restaurant inside Far View Lodge features contemporary, sustainable interpretations of heritage foods with a Southwestern flair. Metate Room won the American Culinary Federation Colorado Chefs Association’s first-ever “Award of Culinary Excellence” in 2010. The menu features game meats as well as traditional favorites, along with a selection of more than 100 wines from around the world that have been selected by our consulting sommelier.

Far View Café & Gift Shop offers more casual fare located in the retail complex across from the Visitor Center and near the Far View Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Mesa Mocha Espresso Bar is located inside Far View Cafe for a wide selection of made-to-order beverages.

TOURS

ARAMARK Mesa Verde National Park, the authorized concessioner for Mesa Verde, offers half-day guided interpreted bus tours, step-on guides and private tours of the cliff dwellings and ancient sites.

Classic Pueblo Tour – Ranger-guided tour that shares contemporary interpretation of archaeology and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans. This 3-hour tour includes Triple Cities, Square Tower overlook, Sun Point, Sun Temple and a walking tour of Cliff Palace dwelling. Departs from Far View Lodge (with pick up at Far View Terrace). Tour length: 3.5 hours. $38/Adult and $20/Child 5 -11-years, less than 4 years free. 

700 Years Tour - A chronological journey from the earliest recorded Pithouse villages (600A.D.) to the Classic Pueblo era of cliff dwellings dated from the 13th century including Cliff Palace. This tour provides the visitor an overall historical view of the Ancestral Puebloans architectural, horticultural, cultural, and religious dimensions of their lives in the Southwest. Departs from Far View Lodge - pick up at Far View Terrace 8:00a.m.-12:00 noon. Pricing: Adults $45; children 5 to 11 - $34. Children under 4 years and younger – free. The National Park Service also operates individual ranger-guided walking tours in the Park, with admission tickets sold at Far View Visitor Center on a first-come, first-serve basis the day of the tour. For more information visit: www.nps.gov/meve. In addition to guided tours, many of Mesa Verde’s sites may be visited independently.
The Park offers numerous well-maintained trails.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking – Hiking in Mesa Verde National Park is allowed only on designated trails. Visitors may not enter cliff dwellings unless accompanied by a uniformed park ranger.

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum – Built in 1924, the museum contains information exhibits and a bookstore of artifacts of the Ancestral Puebloans. The museum is five miles/15-minute drive from the Far View Visitor Center.

ENVIRONMENTALPROGRAM Green Thread®

At ARAMARK, we have a deep respect for and commitment to protecting and improving the environment. We work to reduce our environmental footprint while delivering exceptional operational results. We also offer expertise and practical solutions to our clients to help them reduce their environmental impacts. Throughout our company, we develop and implement long-term environmental stewardship programs and policies within the areas of food purchasing; supply chain; building operations; energy and water conservation; transportation and waste management. We believe sustainability is a process and have implemented environmental management systems that serve as the basis for continuous improvement.

MANAGEMENT

ARAMARK Mesa Verde National Park, part of ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, manages concessions at Mesa Verde National Park under the authorization of the National Park Service. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, a division of ARAMARK, delivers authentic and memorable experiences at national and state parks, national forests, specialty hotels, museums, and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. In partnership with its clients, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations looks to enhance the guest experience by offering industry-leading hospitality, environmental stewardship, recreational, and interpretive programs. For more information on ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and its properties visit:
www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information about Mesa Verde National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/meve/