Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most remarkable day trips you can take from Durango. Around an hour’s drive west along US 160, it protects thousands of archaeological sites left by the Ancestral Puebloan people, who made their home here for over 700 years. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the famous cliff dwellings, tucked beneath towering sandstone alcoves, are truly unforgettable.

Start at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center near the park entrance, then allow around 45 minutes for the winding drive up onto the mesa. From there, the Mesa Top Loop Road takes you past overlooks and mesa-top sites, with a view across the canyon to Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America. The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum adds plenty of fascinating background.

To step inside the dwellings themselves, join a ranger-guided tour of Cliff Palace or Balcony House. Balcony House involves ladders and a short crawl through a tunnel, so it suits more adventurous visitors. Bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes, as the mesa sits at around 7,000 to 8,500 feet.

The park is open all year, with tours and the full range of sites running from late spring to autumn. Set off early to make the most of the day, then head home and settle in with plenty of stories to share.

Some cliff-dwelling tours require advance reservations, so check the park schedule before you go.