RV rental Mesa Verde National Park, CO: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more

For 700 years, from 600 to 1300 BCE, the Ancestral Pueblo people lived in the area that became Mesa Verde National Park. The park is now home to a plethora of fascinating archeological sites, including more than 600 cliff dwellings. But before you head out to investigate them, the best place to start your Mesa Verde National Park RV camping adventure is at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center. Located at the park entrance, this center is where you can plan your visit and also book tickets to explore Cliff Palace, Long House, or Balcony House, three of the park’s most famous cliff dwellings. Cliff Palace is the biggest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde and a must-visit, while a guided tour of Balcony House involves climbing steep ladders and crawling through tight tunnels, so is not for the faint-hearted. The next stop on your adventure may well be the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, where you can check out a range of dioramas displaying what life was like for the Ancestral Pueblo people. You can also get up close and personal with a wide range of archeological artifacts, as well as marvel at the Spruce Tree House dwelling from nearby overlooks. If you’re feeling energetic, you’ll also want to lace up your hiking boots and tackle some of Mesa Verde National Park’s many excellent hiking trails. The two-mile Knife Edge Trail provides excellent views out over Montezuma Valley, while Petroglyph Point Trail offers a challenging and rocky trek to a large petroglyph panel. There are several other trails to explore, so take your time to choose a route that interests you. Alternatively, ride your bicycle to a cliff dwelling overlook off Wetherill Mesa Drive, or pack your binoculars to try and spot a wide range of rare bird species.