Ranger Tours and Hotel Discounts in Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado offers the opportunity to explore the ancient Pueblo culture through some of the United States’ most well-preserved and notable archeological sites. For the 2010 season, the park is offering discount vacation packages and three ranger-guided and family-friendly tours of the Pueblo sites.

At the Far View Lodge, the only hotel within the park, a Family Values package is available for two adults and two children 11 and under. Valid throughout 2010, the package includes two nights and breakfast in the Far View Lodge, a half-day ranger-guided bus tour of Mesa Verde’s ancient sites, and two $10 dinner vouchers for 2 children.

The Far View Lodge, open from late April until mid-October, comprises 150 rooms and is located near the Mesa Verde Visitor Center. Standard rooms do not include air-conditioning or a TV but do offer a private balcony with opportunities for wildlife watching and stargazing.

The recently upgraded Morefield Campground Complete Camper package provides the ultimate camping experience for travelers exploring the national park’s historic scenic byways or Four Corners Region. Starting at $89/N for a dry campsite and $119/N for a base campsite, this offer includes two seats on the new Far View Explorer Tour, an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and s’mores to cook by the fire. The package is available until October 13, 2010.

FTF's complete coverage of Mesa Verde National Park will give families a good overview of the park's attractions, but the new Mesa Verde guided tours ar worth checking out. They transport visitors in coach buses to short trails that lead to the various archeological sites and the guides are quite good.

The 700 Years Tour, which leaves from Far View Lodge in the morning and visits numerous Pueblo cliff dwellings chronologically, is $45 for adults and $34 for children. The newly added Classic Pueblo afternoon tour provides insight into the Pueblo culture through visits to archeological sites and the spectacular Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the park. The charge for this tour is $35 for adults, $17.50 for children.

Also new is the five-hour Far View Explorer tour, which includes lunch and trips to popular Far View sites and is $25 for adults, $12.50 for children.

The park also has self-guided tours available, as well as numerous hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult.

For more information on the packages and tours available at the park, call 800/449-2288 or visit Visit Mesa Verde Specials.