Camping in Mesa Verde: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations and Rates
In brief: Mesa Verde has just one campground inside the park. Morefield Campground accommodates tents and RVs, with some sites offering electrical hookups. Reservations are made through recreation.gov, and the campground operates seasonally from mid-May to mid-October. Dispersed camping isn't allowed anywhere. The park's protected archaeological status rules out every form of off-site camping.
Campgrounds in the park (1)
- Campground Morefield Campground see NPS · 267 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Can You Camp Inside Mesa Verde?
Yes, you can camp in the park, but all the options are concentrated in one place. Mesa Verde isn't a wilderness park that you can explore freely. It's a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, which explains why dispersed camping isn't allowed at all. Outside designated sites, camping is completely prohibited, with no exceptions.
Campgrounds in the Park
Morefield Campground
Morefield Campground sits about 3.7 miles from the main entrance, well before you climb toward the mesas and cliff dwellings. It's a convenient base. You're inside the park, sheltered among juniper and piñon trees, without having to drive the winding road down to the valley every evening.
The campground has several hundred sites for tents and RVs. Facilities cover the basics: restrooms with showers, a laundry, and a camp store where you can restock food and fuel. Some sites offer electrical hookups for RVs. The campground is open roughly from mid-May to mid-October, depending on snow at the beginning and end of the season. Morefield is closed in winter.
RV or Tent: Which Site Should You Choose?
Both options are available at Morefield, but you book them under separate categories on recreation.gov. Sites with electrical hookups fill up faster when the reservation window opens. If you're traveling by RV and need a hookup, make that your priority.
If you're driving a large vehicle, check the size restrictions before you leave. Some areas of the park, especially the road to Wetherill Mesa, are closed to vehicles longer than 28 feet. The Mesa Verde RV camping guide explains these restrictions road by road.
Tent sites offer more peace and greenery. Choose one if you want to get away from the sound of generators at the end of the day.
Camping Nearby: Campgrounds Outside the Park
When Morefield is full, Mesa Verde Country has several private campgrounds and RV parks around Cortez, 10 miles west, and Mancos, 9.3 miles east. You'll find sites with full hookups, and sometimes pools or better-equipped laundry facilities, at slightly lower nightly rates. For undeveloped camping, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands around the park offer some options, provided you check the current local restrictions. The Mesa Verde lodging guide also covers lodges, hotels, and motels if you'd rather have a fixed roof over your head.
Dispersed Camping and Backcountry Camping
Mesa Verde doesn't allow any form of dispersed camping or backcountry camping outside official sites, and the park has no backcountry camping permit. Every patch of ground may contain archaeological remains, and protecting them takes priority over everything else.
If dispersed camping is your priority, the nearby national forests, including San Juan National Forest and Manti-La Sal National Forest, offer legal dispersed camping areas less than an hour from the park. The Mesa Verde hiking guide introduces the routes available around the site.
How and When to Reserve a Campsite in Mesa Verde
Make reservations through recreation.gov. The NPS's standard reservation window opens six months in advance. For a night in early July, get on the site in January at the exact time the booking slots open.
July and August are the busiest months. Sites with electrical hookups can disappear within minutes. Tent sites hold up a little better, but don't leave anything to chance for weekends and school breaks. Availability is much better outside the summer peak, in late May, September, and early October. The Mesa Verde seasons guide explains the advantages of each season to help you choose.
Rates: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost in Mesa Verde?
Plan on about $30 to $35 per night for a standard site at Morefield. Sites with hookups cost a little more. These rates are in addition to the park entrance fee, which is $30 per vehicle and valid for seven days. If you're visiting several parks on one trip, the America the Beautiful pass covers all U.S. federal recreation sites for a year and quickly pays for itself. Exact rates are posted on recreation.gov when you book. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.
Camping Safety and Best Practices
Mesa Verde doesn't have as many bears as Yellowstone, but local wildlife still calls for caution. Mountain lions, coyotes, and mule deer move around Morefield. Never leave food in your tent or vehicle. Use the food lockers or storage boxes available on-site.
Rattlesnakes live in the park, especially in rocky areas. Watch where you put your hands and feet, particularly on morning outings when snakes are warming themselves on the rocks.
The campground sits at around 6,900 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through August. Locate shelters before the sky turns, and avoid standing beneath a lone tree during lightning. Finally, check the fire restrictions posted at the park entrance before starting a campfire. They can change during the season as conditions dry out.
Which Campground Should You Choose?
If you're planning your trip from the start, the Mesa Verde general guide gives you an overview of the park.
- Tent camping, an immersive stay: Morefield is your only option inside the park. Reserve as soon as the window opens, and aim for a site away from the RV area.
- RV or camper van: Morefield has electrical hookups, which you should reserve first. Check your vehicle's length before heading up.
- Family trip: The camp store, restrooms, and NPS junior ranger program, available at the visitor center, make Morefield a solid choice with kids.
- Off-season, September through October: Fewer people, comfortable temperatures of 50 to 75°F, and fall light on the mesas. This is our favorite time to camp here.
- If the park is full: Campgrounds and RV parks around Cortez and Mancos offer an alternative about a 20-minute drive away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp inside Mesa Verde?
Yes, you can camp inside Mesa Verde National Park at Morefield Campground, the park's only official campground, which is open from mid-May to mid-October.
Which campground should you choose in Mesa Verde?
Morefield Campground is the only campground within the park. To stay outside the park, private campgrounds in Cortez and Mancos are the closest to the entrance.
When should you reserve a campground in Mesa Verde?
For July and August, reservations open six months in advance on recreation.gov. Log in as soon as the window opens because sites with hookups go quickly.
How do you camp in Mesa Verde?
Reserve a site at Morefield Campground through recreation.gov. Wild camping and dispersed camping aren't allowed anywhere in the park.
How much does a night of camping cost in Mesa Verde?
A night at a Mesa Verde campground costs about $30 to $35, depending on the site. The park entrance fee is extra at $30 per vehicle, valid for seven days.
Can you encounter bears while camping in Mesa Verde?
Black bears are present in Colorado, but sightings remain rare in Mesa Verde. Standard precautions are enough, especially securing all food and leaving nothing in your tent or vehicle.