Land of the Ancients
Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, & Hovenweep National Monument
Cliff Palace Overlook, Mesaverde National Park
Fall Camping Trip in Southwest Colorado
We spent several nights camping at the Morfield Campground in Mesa Verde National Park. The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed exploring this part of the state. We spent a couple of days at Mesaverde and then a day driving around the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument with a visit and hike around Hovenweep National Monument.
Day One
We arrived late afternoon to the campground after driving over from Denver. This day consisted of setting up camp, having some dinner, and getting some rest for the following day, full of exploring all that Chapin Mesa had to offer. This trip included the maiden voyage of our new camping truck, complete with a loaner topper.
Day Two
We signed up for the guided 700 Years Tour from the National Park Service, this was a half-day bus tour that covered the area from Far View Lodge to the end of Chapin Mesa. During our visit the Cliff Palace was closed for repair and restoration, instead, the tour finished up with the Balcony House. Our tour guide, David Nighteagle was amazing, full of knowledge, and blessed us with the playing of his own handmade instrument, video below.
Although group tours can be slow at times, this was a fantastic beginning of our visit to Mesaverde. It was worth the price of admission.
Far View Reservoir
Chapin Mesa
David Nighteagle performing on our tour of Mesa Verde National Park
Day Three
We explored the Wetherill Mesa which included hiking to both the Step House and to Nordenskiold #16 site. This was a relaxing day with cooler weather that was constantly threatening rain. On the hike to Nordenskiold, we encountered a large tarantula using the trail, we let him finish his hike before resuming ours.
The Step House
Nordenskiold #16
Day Four
We started the day at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument on the edge of McPhee Reservoir in Dolores, Colorado. We then headed west about 25 miles to the Lowry Pueblo and Ruins. This place was much more intimate than anything at Mesa Verde National Park. We had some donuts on site for breakfast while exploring the area. Next, we stopped and hiked to the Painted Hand Ruin on the way to Hovenweep National Monument.
While exploring Hovenweep, we let the kids run ahead a bit. Right after, the park ranger told us to look closely for rattlesnakes. I'm glad the kids didn't come across one first while running free. Hovenweep is an extensive collection of ancient ruins of many different styles and sizes, a great place to visit.
After Hovenweep, we spent one more night at the Morfield Campground. It rained heavily the final night and snapped part of our tent's structure. The snapping sounded like a gunshot in the campground definitely woke us all up. We were thankful it was on the last night of the trip.
Lowry Pueblo
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Lowry Ruins, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Painted hand Ruin
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Hovenweep National Monuement
All photos taken with Fuji X-T1 or iPhone