Mesa Verde National Park

Visited more often for exploring the cultural heritage of the area than for hiking, Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado is a very popular destination for visitors. Established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300 CE, the park today protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. Most of the hiking in this area are short walks to various overlooks throughout the park, but the Spruce Canyon Trail near the entrance station allows one to stretch their legs a little longer.