Mesa Verde National Park guide · 1 min read
Mesa Top Loop Road Overlooks
The Mesa Top Loop Road is a 6-mile drive that traces 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo life. Twelve archaeological sites and overlooks line the route, and together they show how Pueblo building changed over the centuries.
The stops run from early pithouses to cliff dwellings with more than one story. Short paved walks branch off the road to mesa-top sites, including pithouses and pueblos, so you can stand among the remains rather than view them only from the car.
Square Tower House Overlook looks across at Square Tower House, which has the tallest standing structure in the park and an intact kiva roof. A short trail leads from the road to the overlook, where you can see this cliff dwelling clearly.
Sun Point View and Sun Temple both give views of Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Sun Point View also lets you see six or seven cliff houses at once, while Sun Temple is a mesa-top ruin with a view of its own. Other stops include Oak Tree House, and the drive also offers canyon vistas.
The loop works as a self-guided auto tour. A printed guide is available at Pithouse, the first stop, and exhibits appear at each site. For more depth, download the audio tour Mesa Top Loop Drive: A Pueblo Perspective from the National Park Service app before you enter the park, since service is limited inside. Work through the stops at your own pace, using the recording to learn more at each site.
