Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park and World Heritage Site was once the home to the Ancestral Pueblo people. Today this national park features the remains of cliff dwellings, pueblos and pithouses. And although not every site within the park is wheelchair-accessible, it’s still possible for wheelers and slow walkers to enjoy it. Here’s the scoop on the most accessible sites.

Mesa Top Loop Driving Tour
After a brief stop at the Far View Visitors Center, head down to the south end of the park, where you can explore some sites on the Mesa Top Loop. This scenic six-mile drive features a variety of archeological sites grouped in chronological order, and offers a good representation of the variety of housing styles used by the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Recommended stops include the first pithouse, the pithouses and pueblos site and the first, second and third mesa top villages. All of the sites feature accessible parking and a paved trail to the ruins. Most of the sites are located near the road, and many of the ruins are covered. There is also a small picnic area, complete with accessible restrooms, located next to the mesa top sites. It's an excellent place for a midday break.

Cliff Dwelling Extraordinaire
Although you can get a good windshield view of the Oak Tree House cliff dwelling up on Mesa Top Loop; the Spruce Tree House is also worth a stop. Located just north of the Mesa Top Loop, near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, Spruce Tree House is the best preserved cliff dwelling in the park.

This site is technically rated as accessible with assistance; but realistically it's only doable for power wheelchair-users. Although the half-mile loop is paved, and there are no steps or ladders along the way, it's a steep climb back up to the trailhead. So consider this before you wheel down to the bottom of the trail.

Alternatively, there's a more accessible viewing area behind the Chief Ranger's Office, next to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Save some time to browse through the museum too. Although not all areas of the museum are readily accessible, a portable ramp is available at the front desk, so wheelers can access all of the exhibits.

Far View Pueblos
Last but not least, save some time for a stop at the Far View Sites, located back near the park entrance. At one time this area was the most densely populated spot on the mesa, with as many as 50 villages. Today the pueblo style ruins are scattered throughout the area.

Unfortunately, uneven terrain prevents accessible travel to all of the ruins, but the Far View House is doable for most folks. It's located close to the level dirt parking area; and although the dirt trail around the site has some access obstacles, most folks will be able to navigate the first part. Even if you've had your fill of walking, you can still get a good view from your car, so don't miss this stop. It's a nice way to end the day.

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of Barrier Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide For Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about accessible travel issues at www.BarrierFreeTravels.com.

See Related Accessible Travel Articles
If you’d like to visit a National Park, a little south of Mesa Verde, then read Accessible Travel in the Petrified Forest National Park.

And if you’d like to camp out on your next National Park adventure, check out Accessible Camping 101.