What's the best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park?
Mesa Verde National Park is best visited in May, June, September, and October, offering cooler temperatures and fewer visitors, ideal for hiking and camping. Summers are hot and crowded, while winters can be too cold for full enjoyment.
Spring brings 70s and 80s temperatures with moderate crowds, whereas fall sees 60s and 70s, perfect for camping with reasonable visitor numbers. Hotel prices are average in spring but higher in September, making October the cheapest option for fall visits.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Mesa Verde National Park, with mild temperatures, smaller crowds, and all of the park’s services and amenities open. But there’s much more you need to know. We’ll show you how to make the most of your trip below.
The Best Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park
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The best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is during the spring and fall. During this time, there are fewer visitors and the weather is cool. Unlike more remote national parks, Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round.
It’s busiest and hottest in the summer when the weather reaches upwards of 90 during the day, and crowds can be intense. In the winter, the crowds thin out, but the weather can be too cold to enjoy the park to its fullest extent.
May and June are the best months in spring to visit Mesa Verde. Temperatures usually peak in the 70s and 80s, which makes for relatively comfortable hiking, and nights are in the 40s, which means it’s not too cold to camp.
Crowds are usually moderate, and hotel prices are about average. September and October are the best fall months to visit Mesa Verde. The highs are in the 60s and 70s, and evenings are warm enough to camp.
The crowds are reasonable, though slightly more people visit in September than in October. Hotel prices are high in September, even as crowds thin out, so October is a better option if you plan to visit on a budget in the fall.
Cheapest Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park
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The cheapest time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is in December and February. The National Parks Service charges the same rates for park entrance and other amenities year-round, so you won’t save money in the park by traveling in the off-season.
You can, however, save money on hotels or stays in the area if you don’t plan to camp. Most people who come to Colorado for Mesa Verde National Park stay in the nearby town of Cortez, just ten minutes from the park.
Hotels in Cortez, Colorado, are cheapest in December and February. Durango is a popular alternative choice if you want to stay in a bigger city than Cortez. Durango is only 40 minutes from the park and is twice the size of Cortez.
Hotels in Durango, Colorado, are cheapest in February and April. Between the two, April is likely to have better weather. Overall, if you plan to stay in a hotel and you want the cheapest possible trip to Mesa Verde, February is your best bet.
April and December are also good times to visit if you want to save money. If you’re planning on flying into the area, airline flights follow a similar trend to hotel prices.
The least expensive flights are into Durango rather than Cortez, and they’re much less expensive in winter — except for December. As December is generally a busier travel season, flights are more expensive than in other months.
If you’re flying into the area and staying in a hotel, February is the cheapest travel option, though poor weather will make for a less-than-ideal vacation. April is a decent alternative that balances temperature and price.
Least Busy Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park
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The least busy time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is in the winter, from December to February. The park is in southwest Colorado, close to the Arizona border.
Because of its location, it doesn’t get traditional snowy weather, but it also doesn’t stay warm year-round either. Worse yet, the snowy mountains make the area difficult to reach in the winter.
Additionally, many travelers prefer skiing in the Rockies or more traditional winter activities in the nearby mountains. Because of this, winter is the slowest season for Mesa Verde National Park. On the slowest days, the park can see less than 50 people in total per day.
Considering the number of trails, you could experience the park without seeing any other visitors at all on these days. Weekdays are also much slower than weekends, as most people have work or children in school.
Overall, a weekday in January or February is your best bet if you want to see the park as empty as possible. Still, you’ll have to be prepared to deal with near-freezing temperatures and potentially dangerous roads.
Worst Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park
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There are two times that you want to avoid Mesa Verde if you can: peak summer and peak winter.
These seasons are tough times to visit, even for the most seasoned travelers, because of terrible temperatures and, in the case of summer, crowds. Mesa Verde can be scorching in the summer months, with temperatures reaching upwards of ninety degrees.
These are also the busiest months, which means you’ll be in a crowded, hot park while paying above average for lodging — not the ideal vacation by any means.
The worst months to visit Mesa Verda National Park are July and August, which have the largest visitor numbers and average temperatures in the high 80s, though June can also be hotter than average and slightly crowded.
If you decide to visit the park during this time anyway, try to avoid late morning to mid-afternoon hiking. Late risers and families tend to get to Mesa Verde around these hours, and it’s also usually hotter.
In general, the earlier you can get to the park to beat traffic and the heat, the better.
Even though it is considerably less expensive and the crowds are minimal, winter is also a challenging time to visit Mesa Verde National Park, especially if you plan to camp.
The lows from November through March are often below freezing, which makes camping difficult for most casual outdoors people. Even during the day, temperatures peak in the 40s, which can feel even colder if you’re hiking along the Mesa in the wind.
Frequently Asked Questions
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These are the most frequently asked questions from people planning trips to visit Mesa Verde National Park:
How many days do you need to visit Mesa Verde National Park?
Most visitors like to have two days to visit Mesa Verde if they plan to hike through the park. Otherwise, plan for at least a full day to experience the different areas of the park.
What months is Mesa Verde National Park open?
Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round. The park is only closed on New Year’s, Christmas, and Thanksgiving.
Is October a good time to visit Mesa Verde National Park?
October is a great time to visit Mesa Verde National Park. Temperatures are cool but not freezing, and because Mesa Verde is a desert, you won’t have to deal with any rain or other weather factors.
Is it worth it to go to Mesa Verde National Park?
Yes, Mesa Verde National Park is a World Heritage Site and an experience that anyone in the area should take the time to have.
Can you see the cliff dwellings from the road in Mesa Verde?
Yes, some of the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde can be seen from the road, but the best views and most immersive experiences are hikes.
So, When Should You Visit Mesa Verde National Park?
Mesa Verde National Park is a great vacation destination any time of year. If you want to avoid crowds or save money, try coming to the area in February.
If you want to enjoy the best weather and mild crowds, fall and spring are the perfect time to enjoy Mesa Verde National Park. No matter when you decide to visit, Mesa Verde is an iconic vacation destination that you don’t want to pass up.
With tons of activities, including hiking, driving, or camping alongside the homes of the Ancestral Pueblo people, you won’t run out of things to do. Happy travels!