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Balcony House (Guided Tour Access Only)

Caves

Balcony House (Guided Tour Access Only)

Highlight • Historical Site

Balcony House (Guided Tour Access Only)

Name: Balcony House (Guided Tour Access Only)
Rating: 2

Recommended by 3 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Mesa Verde National Park

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Location: Montezuma County, Colorado, United States

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Best Hikes to Balcony House (Guided Tour Access Only)

1. Cliff Palace Loop Trail & (Guided) Balcony House Loop Trail — Mesa Verde National Park

5.55km

01:38

160m

Climb ladders and crawl through tunnels to explore North America's largest cliff dwelling firsthand.

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2. Cliff Palace View & Loop Trail loop from Towaoc

5.08km

01:26

110m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

Jamie S.

January 18, 2025

The Balcony House Tour in Mesa Verde National Park is a one-hour, ranger-guided experience that provides a chance to learn about a mid-sized cliff dwelling with 38 rooms and two kivas. This strenuous tour requires participants to descend a 130-step staircase, climb a 32-foot ladder to enter the site, navigate small ladders and uneven steps in the dwelling, crawl through an 18-inch wide by 12-foot long tunnel, and ascend a 60-foot open cliff face with uneven steps and then back down two 17-foot ladders. Reservations are required and can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777, starting 14 days in advance. The tour begins at the Balcony House parking area on Cliff Palace Loop Road, which is accessible seasonally. It is not recommended for individuals with heart or respiratory issues, problems with heights and ladders, and children must be able to climb the ladders on their own.

Blandine ❄️🏔️☀️🌺

May 12, 2024

Fantastic visit !

Sigrid

October 17, 2025

The Balcony House in Mesa Verde National Park is one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people. A long parapet wall and prominent balconies give the settlement its name. Balcony House is a striking testament to the architecture and daily life of the Pueblo peoples in the 13th century. Visits are only possible as part of a ranger-led tour and require climbing a 10-meter-high wooden ladder and crawling through a short, narrow tunnel.

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Informations

Elevation 2,050 m

Weather

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Sunday 9 November

17°C

1°C

0 %

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Montezuma County, Colorado, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Cliff Palace View & Loop Trail

View of Balcony House

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Mesa Verde Museum

Cliff Palace

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Balcony House (Guided Tour Access Only)

1. Cliff Palace Loop Trail & (Guided) Balcony House Loop Trail — Mesa Verde National Park

2. Cliff Palace View & Loop Trail loop from Towaoc

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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