Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde National Park Travel Guide

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Discover the ancient cliff dwellings of Spruce Tree House in Mesa Verde National Park, a window into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans.

Spruce Tree House, the third-largest and one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, was built by Ancestral Puebloans between 1211 and 1278 CE. Though currently closed to direct access due to safety concerns, it remains a captivating site viewed from overlooks near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.

A brief summary to Spruce Tree House

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, 81330, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Spruce Tree House.

Check the official Mesa Verde National Park website for current conditions and alerts before visiting.
Bring binoculars for enhanced viewing of Spruce Tree House from the overlooks.
Visit the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum to learn more about Ancestral Puebloan culture.
Allow ample time for driving within Mesa Verde National Park due to winding roads and varying distances between sites.

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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Mesa Verde National Park

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Getting There

Driving

To reach Spruce Tree House, begin at the Mesa Verde National Park entrance on Highway 160. The park entrance is located between the towns of Mancos and Cortez, Colorado. From the entrance, it is a 21-mile drive along a steep, narrow, and winding road to the Chapin Mesa area, where Spruce Tree House is located. Allow at least 45 minutes for the drive from the entrance to Chapin Mesa. Once at Chapin Mesa, follow signs to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, where overlooks provide views of Spruce Tree House.
Entrance Fees

All visitors to Mesa Verde National Park are required to have a valid entrance pass. A standard pass costs between $15.00 and $30.00. Alternatively, an annual pass can be purchased for $55.00. Digital passes can be purchased online at recreation.gov. Credit cards are the only accepted form of payment.
Parking

Ample parking is available near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. From the parking area, follow the signs to the museum and the overlooks for Spruce Tree House.

Discover more about Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House, nestled within Mesa Verde National Park, is a remarkable testament to the ingenuity and cultural heritage of the Ancestral Puebloans. Constructed in the 13th century, between approximately 1211 and 1278 CE, this cliff dwelling comprises around 130 rooms and 8 kivas, ceremonial chambers that were central to community life. The dwelling is built into a natural alcove, measuring 216 feet in width and 89 feet in depth. It's believed that Spruce Tree House was home to approximately 60 to 80 people.The site's name originates from a large Douglas Fir tree that ranchers discovered when they rediscovered the site in 1888. According to lore, the ranchers used the tree to climb into the dwelling. Dr. Jesse Walter Fewkes of the Smithsonian Institution excavated the site in 1908, removing debris and stabilizing walls. Spruce Tree House is known as one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the park, with approximately 90% of the materials being original.Spruce Tree House is located on Chapin Mesa, a 21-mile drive from the park entrance. While the site has been closed to direct access since 2015 due to the risk of rock falls, visitors can still view it from overlooks near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. The museum itself is built from Cliff House sandstone, the same material used by the Ancestral Puebloans.