Mesa Verde National Park

Half Day Tours

About This Trip

It’s no question that locals and past visitors consider Mesa Verde National Park a must-visit. It’s an opportunity to experience the rarity of our preserved North American history before European contact. Joining a Mild to Wild guide ensures that guests to Mesa Verde will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of authentic Southwestern culture. Our Half Day tour will show off this outdoor museum and provide a wealth of insight about the ancient indigenous culture, the history of the park, and more. This tour follows Mesa Verde’s most popular spots in just 4 hours, including expansive overlooks of the cliff dwellings and short walks to mesa top villages. This is the perfect tour to get a leisurely overview of the best of Mesa Verde.

Witness the largest archaeological preserve and cliff dwelling in the United States.
Explore North American life from 1,500 years ago.
Mesa Verde National Park still has artifacts, pottery shards and arrowheads around the grounds. As they are sacred, they are to be viewed but not touched.
Views of the lush canyons, everlasting valleys, and surrounding mountain ranges are incredible sites all their own.
Experience a National Park that has incredible historic significance for the Southwest and its people, culture and renown.

Discover the World Renowned Ruins of Mesa Verde National Park

Overview

Location

Mancos, CO

Adventure Level

Mild – All Ages

Meet Time

8:00 AM & 1:00 PM

Return

12:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Trip Options

Standard Tour

Premium Tour - Up to 6 guests

Book Your Trip

Mesa Verde 1/2 Day Tour

Trip Planning

Itinerary

Half Day Tours

8 AM or 1 PM

Meet your guide at the Mancos Visitor Center: 101 Railroad Ave, Mancos, CO 81328

Sit back and relax on the scenic 30-minute drive up to Mesa Verde National Park.

Stop for overlooks and short walks to archaeological sites dating back between 500 CE and 1200 CE.

Enjoy panoramic views of an ancient city scattered along the cliffs, and take in the scenery while your guide provides interpretive lessons of the ancestral Puebloans.

On the way out of the park, stop a short walk uphill for a view of the Four Corners. Clear days allow you to see Colorado and Utah mountains, an archaic volcano out in New Mexico, and the sweeping desert into Arizona.

12 PM or 5 PM

Return to your vehicle at the Mancos Chamber of Commerce.

Booking Options

Standard Mesa Verde Tour

4hr guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park to see the best sites in a limited time frame.

*Note: This trip does not included a tour inside the cliff dwellings, see our Full Day Discovery Tour for this.

All Ages

Adult (12+)

$129

Youth

$109

Premium Mesa Verde Tour

This option offers a maximum of 6 guests per van, giving you a more personalized experience!

All Ages

Per Person

$199

Reviews from our Guests

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   cynthia forbis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an awesome experience on a jeep ride through La Plata Canyon with Jared. He was knowledgeable and a skilled driver, we were in good hands. The scenery was gorgeous and we enjoyed seeing this beautiful place. Thanks Jared!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tim Swope 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tim was an awesome guide……with all of his knowledge and stories and enthusiasm for the Colorado mountains it made for a great trip!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   vicki fathallah 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tim was amazing. Very informative and very pleasant tour guide. I would recommend him for your next tour. I enjoyed it very much
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Claudia Hartley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide Jared was knowledgeable and personable.  It was a great experience.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alberto Gonzalez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We did the Silverton Jeep Tour Package on 9/28/26 and it was a once in a lifetime experience. Our guide, Tim, took us to picturesque landscapes while giving us knowledge of the history surrounding the mountains of Silverton, all while it was raining I should say. Plus we were able to see and experience first hand snow falling at a higher altitude. We were given ample time to shop around town before departing on the train back to Durango. Only minor thing I would critique was that the roof cover, for the 6 seats in back, was not 99.9% waterproof because their were water drops falling from the cover while it was raining but it was no biggie for us and part of the adventure to be honest (we were given waterproof blankets to cover our bodies from the beginning). PLEASE BRING LAYERS AS MENTIONED ON THEIR WEBSITE (YOU'RE GOING TO NEED THEM)!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Holly Gibson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our tour to Mesa Verde with Ann as our guide was truly amazing! She was so knowledgeable, answered questions and gave us so much to think about regarding Mesa Verde. The lunch provided was filling and there were plenty of refreshments offered throughout the day.
I highly recommend the full day tour! Visiting Cliff Palace is so worth it!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sam Lyons 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing! We had the best time. Our guide Dylan made us feel very safe, while taking us through fun rapids.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Josh Jessop 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our tour guide Ann made this already beautiful tour absolutely incredible! We were so grateful to spend the day with her. She was a wealth of enthusiasm and knowledge. Overall a great day with great people.

What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789

Payments & Cancellations

Payment Plan

We start with a 50% deposit, and have the remaining 50% charged 30 days prior to trip. Trips reserved less than 30 days in advance require payment in full.

Please call for alternative payment arrangements.

Cancellation Policy

Receive a full refund with written notice 24 hours or more before the trip. Less notice, no refund.

Trip Change Option

Up to 12 hours prior to departure, trips can be rescheduled for a different day and/or time. The price of this change policy is 5% of the total trip cost. Upgrade only available at time of reservation and must be applied to each seat.

Fees

In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 9% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).

Trip Departure Policy

We reserve the right to switch river/locations based on current conditions and a minimum number of participants. This trip requires 4 participants or paid seats to depart.

Free Courtesy Hold

We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.

What to Wear & Bring

Dress in layers as the temperatures fluctuate. (Bring a warm jacket for Spring & Fall tours)
Warm Hat & Gloves (Spring & Fall Tours)
Sun Hat
Rain jacket
Light Hiking Shoes
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Water Bottle – your guides will have water for refills!
Snacks
Camera

Important Considerations

The meet location for this tour is the Mancos Visitor Center (101 Railroad Ave, Mancos, CO 81328), NOT the Mesa Verde Visitor Center.
The drive to Mancos from Durango is about 45 minutes. Be sure to plan for this since you will be driving yourself to our meet location!
Colorado Car Seat Law states children up to 8 years old must be in an appropriate car seat. Please bring your own.
Summer is cool in the morning and hot by the afternoon. In fall and spring the weather can fluctuate quite a bit, so bring layers with you just in case!
Mesa Verde can be prone to afternoon rain showers! Bring some rain gear.
All Mesa Verde tours are in our comfortable tour vans. If you’d like a Jeep for your Mesa Verde tour, call us about our Custom Tours!

Plan Your Trip

National & State Parks

Mesa Verde

Got questions about our Cataract trips? We have answers!

National & State Parks

National Monuments

Mesa Verde

Check out the National Monuments near Moab, Utah!

National Monuments

Where to Stay

Mesa Verde

Check out lodging options in Durango!

Where to Stay

Best Times to Visit

Mesa Verde

The best times to visit Moab and what you will be able to do based on the season.

Best Times to Visit

Museums

Mesa Verde

Check out the local museums in Durango

Museums

Moab with Kids

Mesa Verde

Grown-ups aren’t the only ones who get to play all day in the red and rugged terrain. Find awesome thigns to do in Moab with your kids.

Moab with Kids

A vehicle with Mild to Wild branding is parked outside the Mancos Visitor Center

Western style mural with hummingbird on the wall of the Mancos Visitor Center.

Meet Location & Directions

Related Adventures

Rivers, Trails & Mesas

Durango, CO

The Best of the Southwest!

Adult: $400.58

Youth: $339.33

Mesa Verde Discovery Tour

Durango, CO

A full day tour! Includes lunch and tickets for Cliff Palace.

Standard: Adult $189 | Youth $159
Premium: $279

Mesas & Trails

Mesa Verde & Durango

Explore Mesa Verde and La Plata Canyon all in one day!

Youth: $227.70

Adult: $273.70

1/2 Day Morning Durango Jeep Tour

La Plata Canyon

On the 1/2 day trip you’ll see panoramic views of mountain peaks and abundant wildlife.

Standard Tour: Adult $119 | Youth $99
Premium Tour: $149

Inspiration & Videos

Mild To Wild Difference

Contact

Mesa Verde National Park

Half Day Tours

About This Trip

Discover the World Renowned Ruins of Mesa Verde National Park

Itinerary

Half Day Tours

Booking Options

Standard Mesa Verde Tour

Adult (12+)

Youth

Premium Mesa Verde Tour

Per Person

Reviews from our Guests

Payments & Cancellations

Payment Plan

Cancellation Policy

Trip Change Option

Fees

Trip Departure Policy

Free Courtesy Hold

What to Wear & Bring

Important Considerations

Plan Your Trip

National & State Parks

National Monuments

Where to Stay

Best Times to Visit

Museums

Moab with Kids

Meet Location & Directions

Related Adventures

Get the Latest Adventure News