Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Cliff Palace Overlook Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.5 (14)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Southwest Rockies
  4. Mesa Verde National Park
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A great trail to a spectacular Cliff Palace site. ”

Thomas Birch
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

0.3

Miles

0.5

KM

Point to Point

6,819' 2,078 m

High

6,705' 2,044 m

Low

115' 35 m

Up

128' 39 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

67%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

To check out the ruins, you must purchase tickets for the ranger-led program. Check out the NPS site for more info on tours.

Description

This is an amazing trail leading past and through rich cultural remnants. The ranger-led tour takes about one hour in total and requires climbing ladders. Check out the Cliff Palace Gem for more info on the ruins.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Mesa Verde National Park

Shared By:

Thomas Birch
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 14 votes

#1

in Mesa Verde National Park

#802

Overall
  4.5 from 14 votes
5 Star
71%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
7%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Mesa Verde National Park

#136

in Colorado

#802

Overall
5 Views Last Month
592 Since Jan 21, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
17%
8%
58%
8%
8%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Cliff Palace.
Jan 21, 2016 near Towaoc, CO
Mesa Verde.
Jan 21, 2016 near Towaoc, CO
View of Cliff Palace from above. One of those mind blowing experiences when you first come upon this historic settlement. Amazing to think that someone in the past probably stumbled upon this village with no idea that it was there; what an experience!
Apr 11, 2016 near Towaoc, CO
Ranger Hike at Cliff Palace
Jan 20, 2016 near Towaoc, CO
Cliff Palace Overlook Trail
Jan 21, 2016 near Towaoc, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 91 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 30, 2025
Connor White
This site is well worth the visit! Words don't do it justice! 0.4mi — 0h 45m
May 7, 2024
McKayla Mashburn
Jun 27, 2022
Parker Antwine
0.3mi
Jul 4, 2021
Ted Christensen
0.3mi — 0h 10m
Sep 17, 2020
Jamie James
Aug 11, 2020
Buddy Dunlap
Jul 3, 2020
Tiffany Ott
Jun 28, 2020
Heather Lynn

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started