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Spruce Tree House
Enjoy the polygonal pattern of grooves in the exterior at Spruce Tree House, a very popular tour.
Plan Around Spruce Tree House
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Spruce Tree House Details
Unfortunately, Spruce Tree House, the third largest and most popular tour in the park, is currently closed due to a significant rockfall. Don't worry, you can still view Spruce Tree House from its exterior from overlooks near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. You can also check in with the Museum to hear the latest update on the extensive restoration going on at Spruce Tree House. The good news is this gives you a great reason to come back to Mesa Verde for another visit in the future! The surface of the rock at Spruce Tree House is weathered into a polygonal pattern of grooves called turtle backs. A combination of both mechanical and chemical factors may play a part in developing these features.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Chapin Mesa
Nearby Parks Around Spruce Tree House
Compare nearby parks around Spruce Tree House when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Spruce Tree House
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Spruce Tree House while the map context is still fresh.
0.1 mi away
Mesa Verde Park Headquarters
The Mesa Verde Headquarters and Chapin Mesa area (which includes the cliff dwellings and the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum) is a one-hour drive from Cortez, Colorado, heading east on Highway 160 to the park turnoff. It is a 1.5 hour drive from Durango, Colorado, heading west on Highway 160 to the park turnoff.
0.1 mi away
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
Explore a chronology of Ancestral Puebloan life and exhibits of prehistoric artifacts.
0.1 mi away
Petroglyph Point Trail
The only trail in the park to view petroglyphs.
0.2 mi away
Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe
Enjoy a casual lunch or dinner next door to the Museum.
0.3 mi away
Spruce Canyon Trail
A 2.5 mile loop that starts from the trailhead to Spruce Tree House. Enjoy the bottom of Spruce Canyon, then switchback back up to the mesa top.
