Join an intimate ranger-guided tour and explore Balcony House, the 13th-century cliff dwelling built by the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians. Be prepared to climb ladders, crawl through tunnels, and descend into a canyon via a 30 m (100 ft) long staircase. The archeological site was first discovered by a group of entrepreneurs in 1884, but nearly 30 years passed before the archeologist Jesse Nusbaum excavated this mid-sized dwelling with 40 rooms in 1910. The one-hour tour is somewhat physically challenging and if you suffer from claustrophobia or fear of heights, you might want to skip it. Put Balcony House on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Mesa Verde National Park travel website.
Balcony House reviews
-
This may be the hardest ticket to get in the NPS. We were unsuccessful; however, we were still able to see Balcony House from the Soda Canyon overlook. Go in the morning and the sun will still be...
This may be the hardest ticket to get in the NPS. We were unsuccessful; however, we were still able to see Balcony House from the Soda Canyon overlook. Go in the morning and the sun will still be... more »
-
There is some uneven terrain, ladders and a short crawl but not overly difficult. The crawl area is short but narrow so someone extremely wide in the hips would not make it thru. Both my knees are...
There is some uneven terrain, ladders and a short crawl but not overly difficult. The crawl area is short but narrow so someone extremely wide in the hips would not make it thru. Both my knees are... more »
-
Fantastic!!! Incredible place to visit and our tour guides (Ranger Dave and Volunteer Mike) did a great job. Really enjoyed it. The NPS description makes it sound difficult but it really was was not difficult and was a great time. You have to be amazed at what people could accomplish a thousand plus years ago without any modern tools and getting the building materials up the side of a cliff. Amazing.
-
very wow. This was my favorite tour. The kids were a little worried by the tall ladder climbs. I was a little worried about the tight squeezes. Afterward, everyone thought it was really cool.
Plan your trip to Mesa Verde National Park
Get a personalized tripA full day by day itinerary based on your preferences Customize itRefine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedules Manage itEverything in one place. Everyone on the same page.Know more
Popular things to do in Mesa Verde National Park
Trails in Mesa Verde National Park
Hidden gems in Mesa Verde National Park
Nearby attractions in Mesa Verde National Park
Side trips from Mesa Verde National Park
Museums in Mesa Verde National Park
Trips in Balcony House by other users
29 days in Colorado & Arches National Park
BY A USER FROM GERMANY
Denver
Colorado Springs
Buena Vista
7 days in Salida & Mesa Verde National Park
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Salida
Mesa Verde National Park
34 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Amarillo
Albuquerque
Sedona
22 days in United States
BY A USER FROM SPAIN
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Yosemite National Park
4 days in Durango
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Historic Downtown Durango
Zipline
Animas River Trail
29 days in United States
BY A USER FROM THE NETHERLANDS
Los Angeles
San Luis Obispo
San Francisco