The longest hiking route in the Mesa Verde National Park, the Prater Ridge Trail is a great way to spend a few hours. The trailhead is just south of the Morefield Campground and there are a few options once you're up onto the mesa. There are two loops, or you can combine them, cutting out the short connector trail and creating one bigger loop. Keep your eyes out for coyote and deer on the trails.

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Best routes to Prater Ridge Trail

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1. Prater Ridge Trail north loop — Mesa Verde National Park

8.86km

02:34

230m

Desert ridge loop through Mesa Verde with wildlife encounters and sweeping Montezuma Valley views.

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Moderate

5.0

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2. Prater Ridge Trail

6.97km

02:05

220m

The Prater Ridge Trail offers a moderately challenging 4.3-mile loop in Mesa Verde National Park, renowned for its breathtaking panoramic vistas of canyons, valleys, and distant majestic mountains.

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Moderate

5.0

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3. View from Point Lookout Trail – Point Lookout loop from Lone Cone

7.47km

02:12

210m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

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Informations

Elevation 2,360 m

Weather

Today

Friday 20 February

-1°C

-14°C

50 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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Location: Montezuma County, Colorado, United States

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Prater Ridge Trail

1. Prater Ridge Trail north loop — Mesa Verde National Park

2. Prater Ridge Trail

3. View from Point Lookout Trail – Point Lookout loop from Lone Cone

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