The best camping near Mesa Verde National Park

Situated in southwest Colorado near the New Mexico border, Mesa Verde National Park is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. For over 700 years, the Ancestral Puebloan people lived in elaborate cliff dwellings tucked into giant alcoves beneath mesa walls. This once flourishing community was deserted in the late 1200s and no one is exactly sure why. Today, visitors can tour the area on ranger-led tours, hike to petroglyph panels, and view items left behind by the Ancestral Puebloans at the park museum. Morefield Campground is the park’s only campground and features both tent and RV sites. 

1. With 267 campsites, Morefield Campground is rarely full. Reservations are accepted for standard tent and RV sites but are not required. It’s a good idea to reserve a site for holiday weekends in advance, just in case. 
2. Only 15 RV sites with water, electric, and sewer hooks-ups are available, so advanced reservations are strongly recommended for these sites. Reservations often fill quickly, so book as soon as you know your travel dates.    
3. Off-season camping is available a few weeks before and after the campground’s official operating season (from early May through mid-October), but services are limited during this time.

Mesa Verde National Park is open year-round, but the campground is typically only open from late April through early October. The best time to visit is spring and fall when the temperatures are most pleasant and all facilities are open. Summer is peak visitor season with high temperatures. No cliff dwelling tours are offered during the winter months, when some areas of the park may be closed due to snow.   

• Campsites include a fire pit, picnic table, gravel tent pad, and convenient access to drinking water, showers, and camping supplies. 
• The Knife Edge Cafe in Morefield’s village offers an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast each morning during the summer season.    
• Pets are allowed in the campground but not in archaeological sites or on most park trails. A boarding facility at the campground offers half-day and full-day rates.    
• Free wifi is available at the Morefield Campground Store. Wifi is also offered throughout the campground but the strength of the connection varies.   
• Wheelchair-friendly campsites and fully ADA-accessible restrooms can be found along the Apache Loop.