Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Far View Lodge is the only lodging available within Mesa Verde NP. The lodge is located 15 miles from the park entrance and provides amazing views over the parklands.

TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Far View Lodge (In the park) or Additional Lodging nearby
📍Complete List of Tours for Mesa Verde National Park
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip

Far View Lodge - Mesa Verde National Park

Get away from modern-day civilization with a visit to Mesa Verde. Set in the Four Corners region of Colorado, explore well-preserved cliff dwellings.

Mesa Verde, "Green Table" in Spanish, is an unusual national park because its emphasis is on the people who lived in this region and the elaborate cliff dwellings they left behind. Unlike other national parks, the focus is on cultural history, rather than geological history. The legacy of these early Native Americans is an architectural marvel that is well preserved for visitors to explore.

Mesa Verde National Park is located in the southwestern area of Colorado, in the Four Corners region where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona meet. Its unusual topography includes green-covered cliffs that are broken up by a series of narrow canyons. Looking from the top of some of the smaller mesas visitors can see the famous cliff houses cut into the face of the mountains, and ranger-led tours take visitors right down to the dwellings.

For about 700 years Ancestral Puebloans occupied the area known as Mesa Verde. They constructed extensive stone communities in the alcoves of the canyon walls and farmed the green mesa tops on the cliffs above their homes.

Towards the end of the 13th century, it appears that they abandoned the cliff houses and simply walked away from the area. Historians believe that they left to search for water and mingle with other tribes. However, there are still many unanswered questions about these early Native Americans and new evidence is still being uncovered to help understand this ancient culture.

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We Stayed in a Kiva Deluxe View Room

There are 150 rooms at the lodge with 2 room types Kiva and Kiva Deluxe View.

Rooms come with either a king bed or 2 double beds.

We stayed in a king bed Deluxe View Kiva Room during our stay at the Far View Lodge. I am going to be completely honest and tell you the rooms are interesting.

Parts of them are great while other parts leave you wanting more. This is a lodge that could use a bit of upkeep and remodeling.

The rooms are not large so you should not plan to spread out or spend time relaxing in the room. There are a couple of chairs but they are not ones that you are going to want to spend a lot of time in.

The biggest update needed is the bathroom. I don't know how to say this so I am just going to dive in and tell you the toilet is similar to what you would expect to find in a preschool. It is small, close to the floor, and did I mention really small!

It was so small that we ended up driving down the road and using the bathroom near the visitor center. This is the first time staying in a National Park Lodge I have had to leave the room to use the bathroom.

With bad knees, the bathroom was just not functional, and didn't feel comfortable at all.

Room Types

Kiva Rooms

The Kiva Rooms are the standard accommodations at Far View Lodge, named for the circular ceremonial chambers used by the Ancestral Puebloan people whose legacy surrounds the property. Each room features handcrafted Southwestern furnishings, a private balcony, a mini-refrigerator, and a coffee maker, and is styled in the warm earthy tones of the Colorado Plateau. Bathrooms are partially open in design and include showers. No televisions are available in any room, and there is no cell service on the mesa, making the balcony and the view the center of your evening experience.

Kiva Room with One Queen Bed and Private Balcony
Kiva Room with Two Double Beds and Private Balcony
Kiva Room with Two Queen Beds and Private Balcony

Kiva Deluxe View Rooms

The Kiva Deluxe View Rooms are the premier accommodations at Far View Lodge, offering the same handcrafted Southwestern character and amenities as the standard Kiva Rooms with the addition of sweeping, unobstructed views of the park, the canyon country, and the distant peaks of three states from a front-row private balcony. These are the rooms to book for sunrise, sunset, wildlife watching, and stargazing, and they book up first. Available with one king bed or two double beds.

Kiva Deluxe View Room with One King Bed and Panoramic Balcony Views
Kiva Deluxe View Room with Two Double Beds and Panoramic Balcony Views

Room Amenities

Private Balcony (all rooms)
Mini-Refrigerator (all rooms)
Coffee Maker (all rooms)
Complimentary WiFi (all rooms)
Handcrafted Southwestern Furnishings
Partially Open Bathroom with Shower
Heat and Air Conditioning
No Television
No Cell Service on Property
Connecting Rooms Available
Free Self-Parking
24-Hour Front Desk
Full-Service Dining at Metate Room (dinner, seasonal)
Casual Dining at Far View Terrace Cafe (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Mesa Mocha Espresso Bar Far View Lounge with Full Bar
Gift Shop
Guided Cliff Dwelling Tours Available from Lodge
Wildlife Viewing from Balconies
Exceptional Dark Sky Stargazing
Cash-Free Property (all major credit and debit cards accepted)
Seasonal Operation (April through October)
Non-Smoking Property

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Things to know when planning a visit to Far View Lodge

Season: The Far View Lodge is open May 1 to September 30

Smoking: All rooms are non-smoking

Payment Policy: Deposit equal to a one-night stay including taxes and/or surcharges is due at time of booking. Remaining balance due at check-in.

Cancellation Policy: Lodging reservation cancel policies are rate-specific and can be viewed by clicking on the rate name when availability returns. Cancellations outside of the cancellation policy will receive a full refund. Canceling within the cancellation policy will result in a full forfeit of the deposit

Check In: Check-in is at 3:00 pm, MDT.

Check Out: Check-out is by 11:00 am, MDT.

Extra Person Charges: All room rates are based on double occupancy. Additional person charges apply for extra persons age 12 years and older. Roll-away beds are not available.

Pet Policy: Pets/service animals are allowed in select rooms only. A fee of $30 per pet per night is required. Pets are not allowed on park trails, in archaeological sites, or in public buildings. Pets must be under physical control at all times and may not be left unattended in lodge rooms or vehicles. Housekeepers will not enter any room housing a pet or service animal. Responsible pet ownership includes proper disposal of pet wastes.

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Things to do When Staying at the Far View Lodge

🏛️ Tour Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, on a ranger-guided tour departing from the park
🪨 Explore Balcony House, an exhilarating ranger-guided tour requiring ladder climbs and tunnel crawls through an ancient cliff dwelling
🌿 Walk the self-guided Spruce Tree House trail to one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the park
🚗 Drive Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa roads for access to overlooks, mesa-top sites, and cliff dwelling viewpoints
🎭 Join ranger-led programs and evening talks about Ancestral Puebloan culture and archaeology
🥾 Hike the Petroglyph Point Trail for canyon views and a remarkable panel of ancient rock art
🌄 Watch sunsets over the Colorado Plateau from the mesa top, with views stretching into Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico
📸 Photograph cliff dwellings glowing in the warm light of early morning and late afternoon
🍽️ Dine at the Metate Room, the lodge's signature restaurant featuring Southwestern and Native American-inspired cuisine
🍺 Relax at the Pub at Far View with a cold drink and four-state views from the mesa top
🛍️ Browse the Far View Terrace gift shop for Southwestern art, jewelry, and Ancestral Puebloan-inspired crafts
🌌 Stargaze under extraordinarily dark Colorado Plateau skies, with the Milky Way arching overhead on clear nights

Book the Far View Lodge Before it Fills

Where to stay when the Far View lodge is Full?

The Farr View Lodge is the only lodgelocated in Mesa Verde National Park and the lodge can fill up. Here is a couple additional options nearby.

⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Retro Inn at Mesa Verde - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A completely remodeled and wonderfully quirky retro-themed boutique motel just 9 miles from Mesa Verde National Park, loaded with personality and charm! Individually decorated rooms feature flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, and free WiFi, with fireplace suites available for a cozy upgrade. Guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast including breakfast burritos, a garden terrace, BBQ grills, picnic area, on-site playground, and free parking. Just minutes from the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, making it a perfect base for the entire Four Corners region. Pet friendly!

⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch - Click here for Rates and Availability.
One of the most extraordinary places to stay near any national park in America, a boutique archaeology-themed guest ranch nestled inside the densest collection of ancient ruins in the country! Choose from uniquely designed private cabins and guesthouses including the Sky Kiva, a circular chamber inspired by ancient Puebloan design with 20-foot ceilings, a fireplace, full kitchen, and king bed with organic sheets, or the Star Tower with a rooftop stargazing deck. Farm animals roam the pastures, fresh eggs from resident chickens are stocked in your cabin, and guests can participate in ranch life, sound therapy sessions, hiking, fishing, and canoeing. Free WiFi, sauna, and pet friendly. Mesa Verde is 45 minutes away!

Click on this link or the map below for additional hotels and vacation rentals near Mesa Verde NP including the Far View Lodge!

https://www.stay22.com/embed/6214340a99ba6500154e8590

Best Mesa Verde National Park Tours & Activities

Mesa Verde National Park Half-Day Small-Group Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (250+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability

One of the top-rated Mesa Verde tours on Viator, this small-group half-day experience covers the park's major highlights including Cliff Dwellings and Pit Houses with a knowledgeable guide handling all the driving. Reviewers praise the personal feel of the tour, with many guests getting one-on-one time with their guide. Snacks and drinks are available. A great choice for first-time visitors who want a well-paced introduction to the park without the logistics.

Mesa Verde Full-Day Tour with Cliff Palace and Lunch
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (279+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability

For those who want to go deep, this full-day tour out of Durango covers the park thoroughly, with a ranger-led visit to Cliff Palace included. Lunch is provided, and guides consistently earn rave reviews for their knowledge and enthusiasm. Likely to sell out, especially in peak summer and fall months. The top pick for travelers who want the most complete Mesa Verde experience available.

Mesa Verde National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars (91+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 to 12 hours (self-paced) | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability

Perfect for independent travelers who want to explore on their own schedule, this GPS-synced audio driving tour automatically triggers narration as you reach each stop in the park. No need to rewind or follow a script. Reviewers love the flexibility and the quality of the commentary, which covers geology, wildlife, and the deep history of the Ancestral Puebloans. A budget-friendly option that still delivers a rich, informative experience.

Make sure to click here for a complete list of tours available at Mesa Verde National Park!

Mesa Verde National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Summer Rates (May 1 through October 22)

Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

$25.00 plus $15 for each person for commercial vehicles with 1-6 seats

Winter Rates (October 23 through April 30)

Park Entrance Pass - $20.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $15.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

$25.00 plus $10.00 for each person for commercial vehicles with 1-6 seats

Year-Round Rates

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$75.00 for commercial vehicles with 7-15 seats

$100.00 for commercial vehicles with 16-25 seats

$200.00 for commercial Tours with 26+ seats

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.