This National Park Has Some of the Oldest Pueblos in North America-and They're Carved Directly Into a Cliff

"Southwest Colorado, where the Rocky Mountains give way to canyons and mesas, is home to one of the most intimate places you can connect with ancient history in the United States. In Mesa Verde National Park, you'll find elaborate villages tucked beneath sandstone overhangs. These cliff dwellings were built by the Ancestral Pueblo people and date back more than 700 years. The historic structures provide a rare glimpse into a civilization that built complex homes, ceremonial kivas, and irrigation systems."

"These dwellings are some of the best preserved in the world and are the hallmark of Mesa Verde National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its rare blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, Mesa Verde isn't just a stop or another national park on the list-it's a journey into the deep history of the American Southwest."

Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado preserves elaborate Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings built more than 700 years ago beneath sandstone overhangs. The structures include complex homes, ceremonial kivas, and irrigation systems that illustrate sophisticated community life. The park's cultural landscapes connect to modern Pueblos and tribes and emphasize human stories embedded in the landscape. Mesa Verde is a UNESCO World Heritage site and features some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world. The park is open year-round with seasonal fees; cliff dwelling tours require booking up to 14 days in advance and run May through October.

Read at Travel + Leisure