Wetherill Mesa Planning Information Sheet

The following information will help you plan your visit to Wetherill Mesa. The road to Wetherill is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 12-mile, 30/45 minute drive offers a number of excellent views of the Park and Four Corners.

NOTE: Vehicles in excess of 8,000 G.V.W. and/or 25 feet in length are prohibited.

Summer Activities

Wetherill Mesa offers a variety of sights, from cliff dwellings to mesa top ruins. From the parking area, walk to the information kiosk and mini-train loading area. There the Ranger will help you plan your visit to the ruins.

Step House Ruin: The ½-mile self-guided walk takes 45 minutes to complete. Guidebooks are available on the trail to the ruin. A Ranger is on duty in the dwelling to answer any questions. This ruin may be visited anytime between 9:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Mini-Train

Departs from the kiosk area every ½-hour from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There may be an hour wait for tours. You must ride the mini-train to visit:

• The Ranger guided tour at Long House

• The self-guided Badger House Community walk

• The Kodak House Overlook

• The Long House Overlook

• The Nordenskiöld’s Ruin #16

Long House: This Ranger guided tour of the Park’s second largest dwelling leaves every ½-hour from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the trail head. The total round trip walking distance is ½-mile and takes approximately one hour.

Note: Tours are limited to 50 people on a first come, first served basis. This tour is not recommended for those with a heart condition. Last tour to Long House leaves from the kiosk at 5:00 p.m.

Badger House Community: This ¾-mile self-guided trail will take you to four mesa top ruins.

1. Modified Basketmaker Pithouse

2. Pueblo Village and Great Kiva

3. Badger House

4. Two Raven House

Guidebooks are available at the beginning of the trail and a Ranger will be roving the trail in order to answer any questions or provide assistance. This ruin may be visited anytime between 9:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Visitors taking the 5:00 p.m. tour (last tour) to Long House will not be able to visit Badger House or Step House.

Two Overlooks: Kodak viewpoint and Long House viewpoint.

NOTICE: The mini-train and most trails are accessible by wheelchair.

• All hiking is restricted. Ask a Ranger for hiking information.

• Smoking is restricted to the parking area.

• Pets are not allowed beyond the parking area.

• Please use trash cans.

The ARA (concessioner) van departs from Far View Lodge at 9:30 a.m.

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WETHERILL MESA

STEP HOUSE

Trail (Self-Guided)

RANGER STATION

RESTROOMS

FOOD SERVICE

INFORMATION

MINI-TRAIN LOADING AREA

NORDENSKIÖLD’S RUIN #16

LONG HOUSE

Ranger Guided Tours

BADGER HOUSE

Community Trail (Self-Guided)

BADGER HOUSE Stop

TWO RAVEN HOUSE

Stop

KODAK HOUSE

Overlook

Stop

LONG HOUSE

Overlook

Stop

PUEBLO VILLAGE

Stop

Legend

Paved Road

Foot Path

Trailhead

Primary Trailhead

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This booklet was published by the MESA VERDE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION, INC. (No government funds were expended)

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Do not allow your visit to be spoiled by an accident. Efforts have been made to provide for your safety and comfort. Warning signs are placed among the ruins and along trails and walls, but there are still hazards that require your alertness and vigilance. Please exercise common sense and caution.

HELP US PROTECT THIS NATIONAL PARK

Please leave plants, animals, rocks and other natural and manmade features undisturbed. Under the 1906 Federal Antiquities Act and the Archeological Resource Protection Act of 1979, it is unlawful to appropriate, excavate, injure, or destroy any historic or prehistoric ruin or any object of antiquity on federal lands.