Mesa Verde Full Day Tour with Cliff Palace and Lunch
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Durango, USA
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit Mesa Verde National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site — on this full-day tour from Durango. With a guide, xplore the park's preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and other archaeological sites, learning about the history and culture of this ancient Native American community. Lunch is included.
- Full-day tour from Durango to Mesa Verde National Park
- Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of this World Heritage site
- Learn about the Ancestral Puebloan Native American culture
- Lunch, entrance fee, and transportation to the park included
What's Included
- National Park fees
- Lunch
- Highly Knowledgeable Guide
- - Skip the long lines
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.8:15 am
Itinerary
Your day trip begins in the morning at the tour office in Durango, where you'll hop aboard an air-conditioned vehicle for the ride to Mesa Verde National Park.
Upon arrival, head first to the visitor center for an orientation to the park's features, and then visit Cliff Palace, which is thought to have held special meaning to the Ancestral Puebloans. A box lunch catered by a local bakery is provided, after which you'll explore Spruce Tree House, the third largest cliff dwelling inside the park.
Throughout your tour, enjoy insightful commentary from your guide about the culture, architecture, and history of these dwellings and the people who lived in them. Your tour ends with the drive back to the tour office in Durango, where you'll arrive in the early evening.
Upon arrival, head first to the visitor center for an orientation to the park's features, and then visit Cliff Palace, which is thought to have held special meaning to the Ancestral Puebloans. A box lunch catered by a local bakery is provided, after which you'll explore Spruce Tree House, the third largest cliff dwelling inside the park.
Throughout your tour, enjoy insightful commentary from your guide about the culture, architecture, and history of these dwellings and the people who lived in them. Your tour ends with the drive back to the tour office in Durango, where you'll arrive in the early evening.
1
Mesa Verde National Park
6 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- 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.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 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.
- Most travelers can participate
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 29 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 307 reviews
Julie_F, Jun 2026
Just amazing experience. Meeting at the office was easy. The ride in the van comfortable. Our guide, Ann was AMAZING!!!!! We stopped for bathroom breaks. We stopped and got out to look and take pictures and hear the history. We then at lunch and then hiked down to Cliff Palace. This was not “easy” but also not too much even being “somewhat” in shape. We had plenty of opportunities for pictures and small hikes down to see other areas. Planning was so easy and actually talking to a person when we planned was much appreciated. I would highly recommend using this friendly and convenient company. We will plan with them again. Thank you, Ann! We had a great time with you and all of our other van mates. It felt like we had known everyone forever. You made it so comfortable.
Julie and Scott Falconer
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Julie and Scott! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience on the Mesa Verde Full Day Tour with Ann. It's fantastic to know that the comfort of the ride and the friendly atmosphere made the day special for you.
Rita_M, Jun 2026
Very interesting and very fun. It was amazing. Cannot imagine going into this park without a guide. You would miss 99% of the fabulous points of interest. Truly awesome
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much, Rita, for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you found the Mesa Verde Full Day Tour both interesting and fun. Our guides are passionate about sharing the park's hidden gems, and it's great to know you enjoyed the experience.
Lanita_R, Jun 2026
We had an amazing guide who was super knowledgeable. The ruins were amazing! It was as if we stepped back in time. The climb back out of the canyon was strenuous but I am a senior. I made it and was so so glad I went. Would highly recommend it as an exemplar example of early Pueblo culture and history.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lanita! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Mesa Verde Full Day Tour and found our guide knowledgeable. It's wonderful to know that you appreciated the rich history and the experience of stepping back in time!
SONDRA, Jun 2026
Last visited 54 years ago. Glad we chose to take the 8 hour tour. Beautiful day not too hot and not too busy. Our guide was Cat who was celebrating her birthday (who works on their birthday!). She made the trip interesting without being boring and didn’t seem like 8 hours. Communication after booking was excellent actually spoke to a person not just text or email. Wish we had more time would have loved to have taken another tour. Next time, hopefully sooner than 54 years !!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Sondra! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Mesa Verde Full Day Tour with Cat and that the experience exceeded your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back sooner than 54 years!
Melanie_B, Jun 2026
The experience was great. Cat was very knowledgeable. We had a really great time as she gave the tour a real personal feel. I learned a lot from the general knowledge quiz.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words, Melanie! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience on the Mesa Verde Full Day Tour with Cat. It's great to know that her knowledge and personal touch made your visit memorable!
Nani_S, May 2026
This is a tour what I highly recommend to everyone. You can encounter sophisticated building structures of indigenous people of this country. They deserve to be known by newcomers.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful recommendation! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Mesa Verde Full Day Tour and appreciated the incredible history of the indigenous builders.
LydiaAnn_J, May 2026
We were taken great care of from pillar to post by PAT. She had so much info, good stories, and we had interesting conversations. Since we were staying in Durango, we meet up there & didn’t have to drive ourselves. We got to see most of the park, with narration the whole way. Lunch was good. The Cliff Dwelling Tour was amazing, and Pat was nice enough to take pictures from afar of us down there. The tour finished @ museum (exhibits temporarily closed), but we got to see an interesting video. I enjoyed the day very much even w/ the crazy weather. It snowed during lunch, but sun came back out & warmed up for for tour!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Lydia Ann! We're thrilled to hear that Pat took such great care of you, bringing the history of Mesa Verde to life with her stories. It sounds like you had quite the adventure with that unpredictable weather, and we're glad you enjoyed the tour despite the snow!
MELINDA_P, May 2026
It was a pleasure to have Miles give us the tour. Gave us detailed information about the cliff dwellings and we stopped at all of the sites. We had a stunning time
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Melinda! We're thrilled to hear that Miles provided you with an enriching experience and that you enjoyed the stunning views and detailed insights about the cliff dwellings during the Mesa Verde tour. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!
Kinal_P, Oct 2025
Cat- our tour guide was excellent so none of this reflects on her part.
Overall - this tour was disappointing for the price and expectations.
1. Government shutdown - passengers should’ve been warned in advance that this tour would be cut short significantly.
2. Food - clearly the tour operators did not communicate with their staff about food preferences. Multiple people in the group did not have their food accommodated even with pre-requests so this is extremely poor service for those with dietary restrictions and allergies.
Overall - this tour was not impressive - we missed out on the entire national park without warning, still charged, no food requests.
Instead of wasting time at multiple gas station stops this tour company should add Four Corners to the itinerary if there are known issues.
Again this is nothing against the tour guide - she was excellent and did her job the best she could. The tour company should seriously be considerate for those who traveled far a national park tour.
-Hamish and Kinal Patel
Natalie_N, Oct 2025
Our tour guide, Jay was very knowledgeable and personable. He took the time to get to know us and made sure we were comfortable and taken care of throughout the day. Would definitely book with this company again.
Andrew_B, Oct 2025
Government shutdown means NO Cliff Palace :( Guide and vehicle were great. Mild to Wild did not provide itinerary update when they knew well in advance the intended sites of the tour were not accessible
Gregory_S, Sept 2025
Guide was tremendous value
The trip was very worthwhile
We saw all the sights we wanted to see
It was great
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Gregory, for your fantastic review! We're so glad your trip to Mesa Verde met your expectations and that our guide made a significant impact on your experience. It means a lot to us to hear that you felt the tour was worthwhile and complete. We hope you think of us for future adventures—thanks again for choosing Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours!
David_H, Sept 2025
Bella was awesome! Lots of knowledge about the site, the peoples and the Colorado/Four Corners region. Visiting this important cultural area is not the same without a passionate, knowledgeable guide. Be prepared to explore, learn and interact.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great visit and that Bella made your experience in the Colorado/Four Corners region memorable. Our guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge, and it's fantastic to hear that Bella's enthusiasm came through on your tour. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon! –The Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours Team
MELISSA_G, Sept 2025
Our guide Miles was excellent!! Very knowledgeable. He made the experience educational and very enjoyable. Answered many questions and told us a lot about the area on the drive from Durango. Highly recommend this tour it was amazing!!
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Melissa! We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience at Mesa Verde with our guide, Miles. It’s fantastic to know that his knowledge and enthusiasm helped make your day both educational and enjoyable. We appreciate your high recommendation, and hope to welcome you on another Mild to Wild adventure soon!
Kathleen_A, Sept 2025
Beautiful country. Great and pleasant company to work with, kind, informative, make you feel very worth their time.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you so much, Kathleen, for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us and had a great time exploring such a beautiful country. Our team strives to make every guest feel valued and ensure a memorable adventure. We hope to welcome you back on another journey with Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours soon!
David_O, Aug 2025
Be prepared to listen
Show respect for a different culture
Enjoy yourself
Our guide Bella was great massive amounts of information
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you so much for choosing Mild to Wild for your Mesa Verde all day tour! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your adventure and that Bella made your experience informative and memorable. We’re also glad you appreciated the opportunity to learn about and respect the area’s unique history and culture. We hope to see you again on your next adventure!
Best regards,
The Mild to Wild Team
James_B, Aug 2025
Great tour, it was very informative and our guide, Cat, was great. We met in Mancos as we were staying in Cortez not Durango. The tour included a ranger tour of Cliff Palace and lunch.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review, James! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Mesa Verde Tour and found it both informative and engaging. Cat will be delighted to know she made your experience memorable. We're also glad the pickup from Mancos worked well for you, and that you enjoyed the ranger-guided visit to Cliff Palace and the included lunch. We hope to see you again for another Mild to Wild adventure!
Carol_D, Aug 2025
I was really glad I took this tour because our guide, Jay, gave us so much more information than we would have gotten if we had done it on our own. We also stopped at more places with our guide.
There were 4 people on our tour. All were seniors, and I was the only one willing to make the climb to the palace. So be aware that you need to be in decent shape for that part of the adventure.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you for choosing Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours, and for your wonderful review! We're so glad Jay was able to enhance your visit by sharing his expertise and taking you to additional stops along the way. Your advice about the physical requirements for the palace climb is a helpful tip for fellow travelers, and we appreciate you mentioning it. We hope the rest of your group also enjoyed the tour, and we look forward to providing more adventures and memories for you in the future!
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours Management
Tara_R, Jul 2025
Tosh was a fantastic guide. Very professional and knowledgeable. I have seen Masa Verde in photos, but I must say seeing them in person was breath taking!
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic tour and that Tosh made your visit to Mesa Verde truly memorable. It's always wonderful to know when our guides help guests experience the magic of these stunning sites in person. We appreciate you choosing Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
The Mild to Wild Team
Gary_N, Jul 2025
This is a great way to see and learn about Mesa Verde. And our driver was fantastic. Mild to Wild did an excellent job for the whole group.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you so much, Gary, for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your all-day Mesa Verde tour and that your driver made the experience fantastic. At Mild to Wild, our team aims to create memorable, educational, and fun adventures for all our guests. We hope you'll join us for another adventure soon!
cynthia_j, Jun 2025
Cat , our guide was very knowledgeable of area. Very friendly , able to answer all questions about area . Very interesting tour . Would love up Ho yo Mesa verde again
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you, Cynthia, for your wonderful review! We're delighted that you found your experience with Cat informative and engaging. Our guides work hard to bring the history and beauty of Mesa Verde to life, and it means a lot to hear you loved the tour. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable journey with Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours!
bstreet91, May 2025
Great experience and trip. Bella was a great tour guide and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended. Loved seeing all the sites and especially the cliff palace.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience exploring with us and that Bella made your trip so memorable. She is truly passionate about sharing her knowledge with our guests. We're also glad you enjoyed visiting the Cliff Palace. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!
Ameae_W, May 2025
Prepare for all weather - we went from brilliant sunshine to snow in an hour. Late May. Layers and layers
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Ameae! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours. Colorado weather certainly likes to keep us on our toes, and your advice about layers is spot on! We appreciate you choosing us for your adventure and hope to see you again for another wild trip – rain, shine, or even snow!
Linda_H, May 2025
Our guide Jarod was awesome - very knowledgeable and knew where to take us. We had unexpected snow and rain that day and he made sure we didn’t miss anything due to the weather -Cliff palace is a must see!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic review, Linda! We're delighted to hear that Jarod made your tour memorable despite the unexpected snow and rain. Ensuring our guests have a great experience, no matter the weather, is something we take pride in. We're glad you enjoyed visiting Cliff Palace—it truly is a stunning highlight! We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Thank you for choosing Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours!
Ray_G, May 2025
Jared , our guide was an amazing knowledgeable guy. His knowledge made the tour wonderful!! He opened our eyes to this part of America’s history.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Ray! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience on your tour with Jared. He truly is passionate about sharing the history and beauty of this area, and it means the world to us that he made your trip memorable. We hope to welcome you back to Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours for another adventure soon!
Bineeta_S, May 2025
Our Guide Tosh was amazing!! Very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor and very cool personality. We loved him!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review! It’s wonderful to hear that Tosh made your adventure memorable with his expertise and fun attitude. He’s a valued part of our team, and your feedback means a lot. We hope you’ll join us again at Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours for more unforgettable experiences!
jay_d, Oct 2024
Knowledgable tour guide, excellent weather and arriving in late October timeframe (no crowds) made the trip memorable.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
We love that you had a great experience on our Full Day Mesa Verde Tour! :) The Mild to Wild Family
Pat_R, Oct 2024
Art was our guide and he was extremely informative. Made the tour price worth it!. We learned so much about the Indian cultures that occupied the area from circa 800–1250 AD and enjoyed the great canyon views
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Pat, for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Art provided such an informative experience and that you found the tour a great value. Bringing the rich history of the region and its breathtaking canyon views to life is something our guides love to do. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Art and hope to welcome you back to explore even more with us soon!
Ric_L, Oct 2024
A great way to see Mesa Verde NP if you only have one full day. Lee and Mild to Wild were great! And highly recommend the ranger-led tour of Cliff Palace, which is included in this tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Ric! We're thrilled to hear that you had an excellent experience at Mesa Verde National Park with Lee and our team. It's fantastic to know the ranger-led tour of Cliff Palace stood out to you—we agree, it's a highlight! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope you'll join Mild to Wild for another adventure soon!
Robert_S, Sept 2024
A fantastic life experience! Jay our guide was informative, kind and incredibly knowledgeable about Mesa Verde, Durango and surrounding areas. This was a 5+ adventure with Mild to Wild Adventures! Highly recommend
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Robert, for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're so pleased Jay's expertise and kindness made your Mesa Verde tour exceptional. It's fantastic to hear you had such an enjoyable time exploring with us. We appreciate your recommendation and can't wait to have you back for more Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours adventures!
From $206.01
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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