More than 1,400 years ago, Mesa Verde, Colo., served as a residential community for the ancient Pueblo people. Now a protected National Park, Mesa Verde serves as a preserved site of 700 years of habitation with ancient homes and canyon formations as a remaining relic.
In addition to the primitive, but impressive manmade wonders of Mesa Verde, the natural beauty and rock formations on this cuesta draw photographers, hikers and many more to the ancient location.
Mesa Verde, meaning green table in Spanish, is actually not nearly as flat as the name would describe. The igneous rocks, rivers, valleys, peaks and canyons are just a few of the many differing landscape formations that occupy the thousands of acres of Colorado territory.
Explore the diverse landscape with trail running, hiking, climbing and wildlife watching. The wildlife and flora in the area is unique and often rarely found outside of the Mesa Verde region.
Visitors can purchase tickets in advance or just head out and explore. The six-mile drive on the Mesa Top Loop Road allows travelers a scenic trek through the park from the comfort of their car, or just a quick break before hitting the ancient Pueblo paths.
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