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Mesa Verde National Park
Long House
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| NPS PHOTO | | Long House |
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Long House and Wetherill Mesa are only open between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day (the last Sunday in May through the first Monday in September). Long House is located on Wetherill Mesa in the western portion of Mesa Verde National Park. Long House is reached by driving out a 12 mile winding road that leaves the main park road just beyond the Far View Visitor Center parking lot. The steep, winding road follows an historic fire trail for 12 miles. Vehicle length is restricted to 25 feet or less.
Along the route are a series of turnouts and overlooks with information about natural features and forest fires. At the end of the road you will find public restrooms, a snack bar, and an orientation area. There is a shaded area with a ranger on duty near the tram loading area.
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| NPS PHOTO | | Long House before excavation |
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Long House was excavated between 1959 and 1961 as part of the Wetherill Mesa Archeological Project. This project, funded by the National Park Service and the National Geographic Society, excavated 15 sites on Wetherill Mesa between 1958 and 1963.
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| NPS PHOTO | | A Badger House Community site. |
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A quiet ride on the tram through the recently burned pinyon-juniper forest will take you to the head of the Long House Trail, , Kodak House Overlook, Long House Overlook, or the . The tram is the only transportation system used once you arrive at the parking area for Long House -- the tram is free and available on a first come, first serve basis.
Wetherill Mesa offers an alternate, more relaxed Mesa Verde experience. The area was designed with walking in mind. All the Wetherill Mesa sites, except Long House, can be accessed along self-guided walking trails. We hope that you will make time to travel out to Wetherill and share in this unique experience.
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Did You Know?
The Ancestral Puebloans inhabited Mesa Verde for more than 700 years (550 A.D. to 1300 A.D.), but for the first six centuries, they primarily lived on the mesa tops. It was not until the final 75 to 100 years that they constructed and lived in the cliff dwellings for which Mesa Verde is known.
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Last Updated: July 26, 2007 at 17:47 EST |
