Mesa Verde cliff palace - shaded picnic area?

Question

Hi all, we'll be visiting Mesa Verde in late May next year. I was originally thinking that my husband and I would do the Cliff Palace Tour together with our 2 and 4 yr olds. BUT the tour is only 45 minutes, so now I'm thinking we could switch off. For example, I could do a 10 am tour, and then he could do an 11 am tour, while one of us waits at the start point with the kids. Questions - do the tours run on time? Are they actually out and back within 45 minutes? I would hate for the second person to miss out on a tour if the first tour runs long or late. Also, what is the picnic area like at the gathering spot for the Cliff Palace tours? The park map shows a picnic area with restrooms. Is this shaded? What is the area like - room to roam and explore? I'm assuming we could do snacks, work on a ranger packet, let them listen to audiobooks/music etc. etc. But that isn't going to work well for 2 hours if they're in full sun.

Answer

Visiting Mesa Verde and taking the Cliff Palace tour with young children requires a bit of planning, especially if you want to split the tours between adults while one stays with the kids. Here’s a detailed overview based on the park layout and typical operations:

Cliff Palace Tour Timing:

Cliff Palace tours are scheduled to last about 45 minutes. In practice, the timing is usually fairly accurate, but there can occasionally be minor delays due to group size or ranger availability.
Most visitors complete the round-trip within the stated 45 minutes, but factor in 5–10 minutes for walking to/from the start point or waiting at the staging area.
It is feasible to stagger tours (e.g., one adult at 10 am, the other at 11 am), but to avoid any stress, it’s a good idea to allow a 15-minute buffer between tours in case the first runs slightly late.

Picnic/Waiting Area for Kids:

The designated picnic area near the Cliff Palace tour start has some tables and restrooms. However, shading is limited; there is minimal tree cover, so it can be quite sunny, especially in late May.
The area is paved or gravel, so it’s not a grassy play area. Kids can move around a bit, but it’s not ideal for extended play. Bring portable shade options like a sun umbrella, hat, or lightweight pop-up canopy if possible.
You can plan snacks, coloring, ranger packet activities, or audiobooks/music to keep children occupied, but consider that sun exposure could make a 2-hour wait uncomfortable without some shade or sun protection.

Alternative Options:

Consider using the Chapin Mesa Picnic Area a short drive from the Cliff Palace, which offers more tables, shade, and space for kids to explore safely while waiting for the next tour.
Another option is for one adult to do the tour first and then swap immediately after, keeping children engaged with quiet activities or in a stroller with sun protection, minimizing waiting in direct sun.

In summary, while the Cliff Palace tours are generally reliable in timing and do fit within 45 minutes, the immediate waiting area has limited shade. Planning for sun protection and portable activities will make the experience more comfortable for your 2- and 4-year-olds if you choose to split the tours.

Mesa Verde cliff palace - shaded picnic area?

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