Why choose this Durango tour ?
Don’t miss a thing as GuideAlong’s Audio Driving Tour takes you on an incredible self-guided journey through the first US National Park created to preserve archeological and cultural sites.
Along the way, you’ll be guided to all of the famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including North America’s largest cliff dwelling and the park’s highest 360 degree viewpoint.
Download and discover more on your road trip with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically along the drive.
You’ll have the freedom to explore offline at your own pace. Spend more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t.
✅ Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location
✅ Travel at your own pace
✅ Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed
✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use
✅ No time limits or expiry, free updates
Purchase one tour per vehicle.
Make the most of your Durango adventure
What makes Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Mesa Verde National Park a unique experience ?
As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule.
Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi-day itineraries.
Some of the many highlights are listed below
Located on the Cliff Palace Loop, Balcony House is one of the more adventurous of the cliff house tours as it requires climbing multiple ladders and even squeezing through tight passageways.
The best non-tour view of Balcony House is from the Soda Creek Overlook Trail, also located on the Cliff Palace Loop Road.
To see inside Balcony House, you must have a ticket for the Ranger-guided tour.
This museum has a superb collection of items and exhibitions and provides an excellent opportunity to experience more of the culture, beyond just seeing the ruins.
Perhaps the most famous of all the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, Cliff Palace was first re-found by rancher Richard Wetherill, though he’d received tips of its existence from a local Ute member. It is the largest cliff dwelling in North America with 151 rooms and 23 kivas.
Getting into Cliff Palace requires a pre-purchased ticket and the tour is considered Ranger-assisted. Your timed visit is supervised by a ranger who provides information, but you are somewhat allowed to self-explore.
Mesa Verde is most famous for its cliff dwellings and rich archeological sites, but its elevated mesa-top setting also means we get to enjoy some fantastic views in every direction.
Though its naming is factually incorrect, the Montezuma Valley Overlook reveals a landscape where we can see as far as 100 miles away. This view is also significant because it shares the locations of other significant pueblo sites in the valley below.
There are many worthwhile scenic views throughout Mesa Verde, but this one must rank as the best. A full 360 degrees of viewing can be enjoyed from this highest, easily-accessible point in the park.
On a clear day you should be able to see into each of the Four Corners states, as well as numerous mountain ranges and specific geological features such as Shiprock.
Spruce Tree House is located at the same access area as the museum and other park services. Though it is not as large as Cliff Palace, this dwelling is considered the best preserved. It is easily appreciated and photographed from the viewpoint behind the museum.
Unfortunately due to some rock falls and destabilization, it is not possible to visit inside the Spruce Tree House for an indefinite time moving forward.
There are also 2 popular but somewhat strenuous hiking trails that leave from this location; Petroglyph Point Trail – which as the name suggests, leads to a petroglyph panel, and the Spruce Canyon Trail. Expect each of these hikes to take approx 2 hours.
Step House is the best opportunity in Mesa Verde to be able to get up-close and personal with a cliff dwelling, but does not require a that you join a ranger-led tour, and that you do not need tickets to see.
Step House is located at the end point of the excellent drive along Wetherill Mesa Road. The bonus of visiting Step House is the many outstanding views along the 20 minute each way drive.
Sun Temple was one of the last mesa-top pueblos built at Mesa Verde. The distinction is that it is built on the land, and not in a cliff alcove – almost like a regular building!
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum mobile OS version iOS 15 / Android 9 (Pie). iPad models with GPS chip.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Mesa Verde National Park
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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Mesa Verde National Park Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
- Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
- Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
- Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
- GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 100+ Points
- One-Time Purchase: No time or date use limit or expiry
- Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
Not Included
- National Park Price 2024 (Car & Bicycle – Winter/$20, Summer/$30)
- Ranger-led tours
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide).
- Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Denver.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 74 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.
HOW TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:
1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD and OPEN the Audio Tour NOW
*These instructions are also sent via a separate email & text/sms: “Instructions for GuideAlong Audio Tour” or “Your Tour Operator Sent You a Message About Your (Viator) Booking”. Check your junk/spam folder.
PRE-DOWNLOAD THE APP & TOUR NOW
You must pre-download both the GuideAlong app and audio tour files to your phone (audio, maps & images) over reliable wifi or cellular service, before your drive out of signal.
There’s no date/time limit or expiry to use the audio tour, and no data connection is required while touring.
If you are able to OPEN your tour and see the START DRIVING button, you have successfully downloaded all files and are ready to tour.
CHARGING & SOUND
We do not recommend connecting your phone directly into the vehicle usb port. Instead use a usb/c car charger adapter plug into the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette car lighter). It prevents any automatic secondary pairing between your phone and the vehicle for sound and provides a stronger charging option.
HELP & SUPPORT
Have a question – we’re here to help! Lots of information is included in the app and even more is available on our website. Alternatively you can leave a message for support callback toll 18664771791, chat online or email us at info@guidealong.com.
