Introduction

You are about to embark on a remarkable journey through time. At the 11 stops along this six-mile (9.5 km) drive you will discover pithouses, pueblos, and cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people over the seven centuries they called Mesa Verde home. Here, they built homes, raised families, celebrated with friends, and buried loved ones.

With this guide, we will explore the traditions and innovations that helped the Pueblo people create a resilient culture that endures today among the 21 Pueblos of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.


Mesa Verde is a sacred place where Pueblo people come to honor their ancestors. Please visit with respect:

• Follow posted speed limits.
• Be mindful of bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
• Stay on marked trails; please do not enter closed areas.
• Do not touch, sit, stand, or lean on fragile ancient walls.
• Disturbing, defacing, or removing artifacts is illegal.
• Leashed dogs are allowed on Mesa Top Loop trails.
• Pick up and dispose of dog waste.
• Smoking or eating in any site is prohibited.