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

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

5.0/5

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Distance

3 miles

Elevation Gain

130 ft

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Added by Christin Healey

Step back in time to visit these cliff dwellings, and see a different side of our diverse National Parks all while getting in a little hiking.

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 history of the native people here, and be given a unique insight into what life was like so many years ago in these harsh conditions.

The hike/aventure itself is relatively easy, just make sure you are prepared for the heat and altitude of 7,000ft by bringing plenty of water (snacks and flavored drinks are not permitted once you start on the trailhead.)

The Step House is a quick, half hour hike/self-guided tour that leaves right from the parking lot. Down at the Step House, there is a ranger who can answer any questions you may have.

These are two great trips in Mesa Verde that can help remind us all of a different time and way of life in our great National Parks - have fun!

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Drew Thompson

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

04/30/22

This is a must see destination. Located out on on a more remote mesa than the rest of the park these sites are incredible. To view the sites be sure to book a tour with the NPS ahead of your trip. The hike itself is very easy but be sure to have plenty of water with you in the heat. Once at Long House it is much cooler and shaded and you have the opportunity to fully walk around and explore the rooms and caverns that people lived in. Ask lots of questions and enjoy the history!

5.0

Leave No Trace

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

Nearby

Hike Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail

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...

Hike the Petroglyph Point Trail

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.

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.

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...

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

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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail

Hike the Petroglyph Point Trail

Hike the Spruce Canyon Trail

Explore Mesa Top Loop

Hike the Cliff Palace Loop Trail

Explore the Far View Sites Complex

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