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Overview
Long House Loop is a 5-mile, mostly paved mesa-top route on Wetherill Mesa that you can walk or bike. It strings together overlooks and ancestral sites—think Badger House Community, Long House Overlook, Kodak House Overlook, and the Nordenskiöld Site #16 viewpoint—without descending into any cliff dwellings.
What you’ll see and how it feels
This is the quiet side of Mesa Verde, often less crowded than the Chapin Mesa area. The loop rolls across open, fire-scarred terrain (a burn area from 2000), so expect big skies, long views, and very little shade. You’re walking through the mesa-top neighborhoods of the Ancestral Puebloans; the overlooks let you peer into canyons at cliff dwellings and scan for details like seep springs and masonry tucked into alcoves. Surfaces are paved or packed, with gentle grades in places.
Route details
The loop itself is 5.0 miles total. You can tailor your day with out-and-back segments to the highlights:
- Badger House Community: about 2.5 miles round trip from the Wetherill Mesa parking area.
- Long House Overlook: roughly 3.0 miles round trip.
- Kodak House Overlook: about 4.5 miles round trip.
Nordenskiöld Site #16 is another popular spur with wide-open views. Note: Long House cliff dwelling is not on a self-guided trail; reaching it requires a separate ranger-guided tour.
Logistics you should know
Wetherill Mesa is reached via a steep, winding 12-mile road with a 25-foot vehicle length limit; plan about 45 minutes once you make the turnoff near Far View. Facilities (restrooms, shade, water) are at the end of the road, but there are no restrooms at the cliff dwellings. Wetherill Mesa is open seasonally, and hours matter.
If you want to visit Long House itself, you must book a ranger-guided tour in advance. The tour is about two hours, covers roughly 2.25 miles round trip with around 130 feet of elevation and includes ladders inside the site. You’ll also walk about 0.75 mile on a paved approach from parking to the tour start. Tours leave on time—arrive early.
Best time to hike
Go early or late for cooler temps and softer light. Midday can be harsh and hot, especially with no shade after the fire. Wetherill Mesa operates seasonally; shoulder-season mornings are pleasant and quieter, while summer afternoons can feel punishing in full sun.
Tips
- Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear. At ~7,000 feet, the sun and elevation amplify effort.
- Build in drive time and, if you’re pairing the loop with a Long House tour, add buffers between activities.
- Dogs are allowed on the mesa-top trails but not into cliff dwellings or on tour routes.
Pros
- Bikeable paved loop linking multiple archeological overlooks in one outing
- Quieter than Chapin Mesa with wide-open views across fire-scarred mesas
- Dog-friendly miles on designated Wetherill Mesa trails
Cons
- Little to no shade due to past wildfire; can be brutally hot midday
- Long, winding access drive; seasonal hours limit flexibility
- Does not enter Long House—separate ticketed tour required
Parking
Park at the Wetherill Mesa lot at the end of Wetherill Mesa Road; restrooms and orientation area are there. Expect about a 45-minute drive from the main park turnoff and a 25 ft vehicle length limit.
Caution
Highly exposed with minimal shade; carry ample water and sun protection. Elevation around 7,000 feet can make easy grades feel harder. Wetherill Mesa is seasonal and hours matter. Pets not allowed on tour routes or in archeological sites. Separate tickets required for the Long House tour. The access road is steep, winding, and restricted to vehicles 25 ft or shorter.
