Hike Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Save

View all 2 photos

All 2 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

2 miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Christin Healey

This is a totally flat stroll, and the quietest trail in the park. It leads to an overlook of Nordenskiold Site No. 16, as well as has views of the surrounding area.

This two mile round-trip trail leaves from the information kiosk near Long House and Step House, and leads through and area severely burned by the 2000 Pony Fire. There's no shade on this trail, so if you are doing it during the hotter months, be sure to bring a lot of water and sun protection. The trail is very straightforward out and back, well marked and easy to follow. From the information kiosk, you will find the trailhead on your right. Just turn down there and walk to the end.

Super fun little trail and easy break if you are touring the nearby cliff dwellings.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Hiking

Bathrooms

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Groups

Scenic

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Long House and Step House at Mesa Verde National Park

This is a great opportunity to see two historic cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park within a relatively short period of time. Schedule your day around getting tickets to Long House, then taking a bit of a side trek to the Step House when you have the time. The tour begins at the Weatherhill Mesa information kiosk, and is a two hour ranger-guided excursion. You will learn all about the h...

Hike the Spruce Canyon Trail

The Spruce Canyon trail is very well taken care of. The trail begin with a descent into Spruce Tree Canyon and then follows a stream for 3/4 of a mile before climbing a side canyon back up to the ridge. The trailhead is located on the Chapin Mesa within Mesa Verde National Park. The trail is open for use year round.

Hike the Petroglyph Point Trail

Explore the Far View Sites Complex

The Far View Community is located four miles north of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. In around 800 AD, the Ancestral Pueblo people lived in this area for several centuries. They mostly farmed the mesa tops, but were also hunters. It was one of the most densely populated regions of Mesa Verde, and it is estimated that there were at least 35 occupied villages within a half-square-mile area...

Explore Mesa Top Loop

The 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, open 8 am to sunset, stops at 12 sites including surface ruins and cliff dwelling overlooks. The most famous feature of the park, Cliff Palace, is visible from the Sun Point and Sun Temple overlooks. Sunrise photography isn't possible on the loop due to operating hours, but stunning sunsets can be captured from the cliff trails before the road closes.

Hike the Cliff Palace Loop Trail

Tickets for this tour are $4 per person and are available at the visitor center near the entrance of the park. This tour is best taken from April to November. This hike features The milky way is often visible from the top of Mesa Verde at night. This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing five, 8-10ft ladders, on a 100ft vertical climb. Total walking distance is 1/4-mile round-trip.