Mesa Verde National Park
Park Entrances
Mesa Verde National Park Entrance
Mesa Verde National Park has a single main entrance located off U.S. Highway 160, about ten miles east of Cortez, Colorado. From this point, visitors pass through the park’s entrance station and travel along a steep, winding road that climbs to the mesa top, where visitor facilities, overlooks, and archaeological sites are located. The entrance road itself is considered part of the scenic experience, offering expansive views of the Montezuma Valley and surrounding landscapes. Because the entrance is the only access point into the park, all visitors must pass through it, whether they are headed to the Visitor and Research Center, Chapin Mesa, or Wetherill Mesa. Seasonal closures and weather conditions can affect travel, so visitors are advised to check current conditions before arrival.