Wetherill Mesa

Overview

On the park’s west side, Wetherill Mesa is a long, narrow mesa edged by deep canyons and layered with nearly 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure area where everything worth seeing requires getting out on foot or bike—no cliff dwellings are visible from the road. Plan on most of a day here.

Hours and How It Works

The entry gate opens at 8:30 am, last entry is 2:00 pm, and everyone must exit by 4:00 pm. In 2025 it’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Step House is open roughly 9:00 am–3:00 pm with last entry at 2:45 pm.

Getting There

From the park entrance, drive about 15 miles past Far View Lodge, then turn right onto Wetherill Road. It’s a winding, hilly 12-mile drive (30–45 minutes) to Wetherill Pavilion, where all hikes and rides begin. Vehicles over 25 feet or 8,000 lbs aren’t allowed on Wetherill Road. Bicycles and e-bikes are not allowed on Wetherill Road but are allowed on the mesa’s paved loop and spurs beyond the pavilion.

What to See

• Step House: A free, self-guided walk into a cliff dwelling with two distinct periods of occupation. It’s about 1 mile round trip with many steps and roughly 165 feet of elevation change.
• Badger House Community: A 2.25-mile round-trip walk or bike ride to four excavated mesa-top villages that trace roughly 600 years of Pueblo history. Mostly easy going with one steep hill.
• Nordenskiöld Site No. 16 Overlook: About 0.9 miles one way to an overlook of a ~50-room alcove site in Rock Canyon. The return is uphill with no shade or water.
• Long House Overlook: Roughly 2 miles round trip to an expansive view of the park’s second-largest cliff dwelling. Return is uphill and exposed. For information about touring inside Long House (when offered), check the park’s cliff dwelling tour page.
• By bike: The paved Long House Loop (about 5–6 miles round trip) connects to spurs for Badger House (2.5 mi RT), Long House Overlook (3 mi RT), and Kodak House Overlook (4.5 mi RT).

Conditions and Safety

This mesa burned in 2000, so expect little to no shade. It’s hot and dry around 7,240 feet, afternoon thunderstorms are common, and water is limited along trails. Safe shelter from lightning is your car, the pavilion, or the Badger House shelters—don’t linger at exposed overlooks in storms.

Pets are allowed on Wetherill Mesa trails except into Step House and Long House; keep them leashed and never unattended.

Services

Plan to be self-sufficient. Water is limited and there’s no water on trails. Expect basic vault toilets on the mesa. Seasonal snack service may be available at the Wetherill Mesa Information Kiosk; otherwise, bring all food you’ll want.

Best Time to Visit

Be at the gate at 8:30 am to beat heat, wind, and afternoon storms—and to give yourself time before the 2:00 pm last-entry cutoff. Morning light is best for photography at overlooks and for cooler hiking or biking.

Quick Plan

• 8:30 am: Enter, park at Wetherill Pavilion.
• 9:00–10:15 am: Step House.
• Late morning: Bike or walk to Badger House and Long House Overlook.
• Early afternoon: Nordenskiöld Site No. 16 Overlook or ride to Kodak House Overlook.

Wildlife

Bring binoculars—this open mesa is good for spotting native and migratory birds from the overlooks.