Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park is a perfect amalgamation of ancient history and pure natural beauty. In 1906, this American national park was established to protect and study the archaeological heritage of the land's ancient Pueblo inhabitants. The Pueblo civilization flourished between 600 CE and 1300 CE. Today, almost 5,000 archaeological sites are being preserved in this national park, including about 600 cliff residences.
Surrounded by meadows, forests, wildlife, and rugged hills, Mesa Verde National Park offers you the excellent taste of adventure. You can savor both historical wonders and natural beauty. Come to Mesa Verde National Park and witness America's best-preserved archaeological sites with your own eyes. This is no ordinary guide and contains everything you need to know before visiting Mesa Verde National Park, from fun activities to information about travel insurance plans.
Be a smart traveler, and purchase a travel insurance so that you do not end up spending more than necessary on unexpected accidents, illnesses, injuries, or travel mishaps.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Mesa Verde National Park - FAQs
While traveling, most of your travel budget goes into transportation and lodging, expenses that are usually booked in advance and non-refundable. If an emergency occurs and you have to cancel your trip, you risk losing a fortune. To possibly prevent such a financial disaster, book a trip cancellation insurance plan.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Mesa Verde National Park travel?
Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a reason explicitly listed in your policy's certificate wording. Be sure to review the fine print of your plan (before purchase!) for a full understanding of what scenarios would and wouldn't be covered. Most standard plans do include coverage for the most common, likely reasons for cancelling a trip, like falling ill before departure or a work-related emergency.
What should I look for in my Mesa Verde National Park trip cancellation insurance?
Travel insurance offers many benefits beyond trip cancellation insurance, such as:
- Trip interruption coverage for a covered reason, in case you need to cut your vacation short once you're already there.
- Trip delay coverage
- Missed connection coverage
- Coverage for baggage loss
With travel insurance, you have a safety net against emergency expenditures. Check your plan's certificate wording to ensure that it meets all your needs.
Mesa Verde National Park's Most Popular Things to Do
Pay a Visit to the Museum
Do you want to get a glimpse of Mesa Verde National Park's fascinating history? If so, a visit to the Chaplin Mesa Archaeological Museum will be worth your effort. With dioramas and ancient artifacts (and air conditioning), the museum is a must-visit place if you want to receive in-depth knowledge of the Puebloan civilization.
Witness the Petroglyphs
The Petroglyph Point Trail will take you to the ancient petroglyphs of the park. This 2.4-mile (about 3.9-km) round trail begins at the Chaplin Mesa Archaeological Museum. The most suitable time to start the hike is in the morning to avoid the scorching heat of summer.
Experience a Campfire Program
The ranger-led campfire programs will not cost you a penny, but they will provide you detailed information about the history of Mesa Verde National Park. Since 1907, these campfire programs have been arranged every summer at the Morefield Amphitheater.
See Ancient Farming Terraces
You can witness the agricultural practices of ancient Pueblo people on the Framing Terrace Trail. This 0.5-mile (0.8-km) walk takes you through the arid Mesa Top, where terraces were made for farming. You can even see the primeval check dams which were used to build the terraces.
Make a Trip to One of the Cliff Dwellings
Your trip to the famous Mesa Verde National Park will remain incomplete if you don't attend a ranger-guided tour of one of those Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. It is advised to reserve a tour of Long House, Cliff Palace, or Balcony House if you want to indulge in the ancient aura of this site.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Mesa Verde National Park
Follow the Instructions
In a sensitive, ancient, and preserved area like Mesa Verde National Park, you should not stand, sit, lean, or hike on ruined or fragile historical structures. This can be dangerous for you or other travelers. These ancient structures can break down any time. Also, try to avoid entering restricted areas or touching natural artifacts and objects without permission.
Don't Interact with the Wild Animals
Observing wild animals can be one of the most enthralling activities in Mesa Verde National Park. However, you should avoid close interaction with them for safety issues.
Only Stick to the Marked Trails
While walking through the national park area, you should always stick to the marked trails. Going beyond the marked routes can lead to crushing unnoticed archaeological features and small plants.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
Travelers commonly fall sick in Mesa Verde National Park because of dehydration. The park area is dry and has elevations up to 8,000 feet (more than 2,400 meters). Therefore, you should carry and drink an adequate amount of water. All the park facilities offer portable water. During the summer months, drinking water is also available in the Wetherill Mesa Information Kiosk and Cliff Palace.
Before You Travel to Mesa Verde National Park - Do This
You are almost ready for your trip to Mesa Verde National Park. Before setting on your journey, consider these suggestions.
- Drive slowly. The roads of Mesa Verde National Park are narrow and twisted. Sometimes, it is impossible to tell if another vehicle is around the bend. To make sure you do not have an accident, drive slowly.
- Cell phone service is very spotty in Mesa Verde National Park. If you need to make an urgent call, visit park facilities or visitor centers.
- Prepare for the worst-case scenario. Make sure that you have adequate travel insurance coverage so that you and your family and friends can spend a fun and carefree vacation. Enter some basic information about your trip, compare a wide variety of options, and pick the plan that best fits your own personal needs.