Parka

Mesa Verde National Park hiking guide

Cliff Palace Trail

A 0.3-mile loop with 720 ft of climbing in Wetherill Mesa, rated easy.

Cliff Palace Trail, Mesa Verde National Park
Photo: twiga-swala

Key facts

Length
0.3 mi (0.5 km)
Elevation gain
720 ft (221 m)
Route type
Loop
Difficulty
Easy
Area
Wetherill Mesa
Paved
Yes

About Cliff Palace Trail

Experience the largest cliff dwelling in North America, featuring intricate architecture and historical significance. The site requires a ranger-guided tour, which includes climbing ladders and navigating through the ancient structures. This dwelling was once home to about 100 people and served as a social and ceremonial hub.

Route map

Route map of Cliff Palace Trail in Mesa Verde National Park250 ftN
StartFinishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

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