Title: Balcony House in Mesa Verde National Park - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca

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# Balcony House Tours and Activities

![Balcony House featuring heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328128/675b6157-cde3-4f29-9edc-791a994c9937.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Balcony House featuring heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328128/675b6157-cde3-4f29-9edc-791a994c9937.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Balcony House featuring heritage elements and building ruins](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328128/7e07a4b5-b976-45f8-8108-bdc70e833156.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Balcony House which includes tranquil scenes](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328128/3dd9c86a-d2da-442f-90d8-fc15a2369077.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Balcony House featuring a ruin and heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328128/8514fcc8-1fda-46ff-9fb7-ff7f8ad0325b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

## Visit Balcony House

Activities

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#### Careful excavations have ensured the preservation of this historical cliff dwelling, which was built by the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians.

Explore Balcony House, a 40-room cliff dwelling carved into a rock face in Mesa Verde National Park. The dwelling was most likely constructed during the 1200s by the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. Enjoy an educational and adventurous tour of this fascinating ancient residence.

Learn about the first documented discovery of Balcony House by S. E. Osborn, a prospector whose name and the date 1884 have been found carved into a separate dwelling in Soda Canyon. He later went on to describe his discoveries of the dwellings of Mesa Verde in a newspaper in 1886, with one description closely fitting that of Balcony House as it stands today. Excavations on the dwelling began in 1910 by archaeologist Jesse Nusbaum, who not only beautifully preserved the architectural integrity of the site but also stabilized it to allow visitors to enter.

Take a ranger-guided tour of the dwelling’s rooms and passageways. Understand how the construction of the rooms and passages within Balcony House developed over time when you notice the different shapes and styles of the carvings.

Accessing the dwelling is an adventure in itself. Climb the 32-foot (10-meter) ladder to reach the main entrance. Be ready for additional steps after passing through a narrow tunnel. Although the steps are modern in design, the climb is steep and requires good balance and confidence. Be sure you’re able to endure strenuous activity at the 7,000-foot (2,100-meter) elevation of the park before you start on this trail.

Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwest Colorado. It is accessible only by car and charges admission. The route into the park is steep and narrow, but it offers wonderful scenic views into four different states. Allow about 2 hours to make the round-trip journey into and out of the park from Durango or Cortez.

Access Balcony House only through an organized ranger tour. Tours run from mid April to late October and last for about 60 minutes. Purchase tickets at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center or several other sites. Find information on the Mesa Verde National park website.

## Plan a trip to see Balcony House

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.

![DoubleTree by Hilton Durango](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/23800/23705/7e87a9d0_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### DoubleTree by Hilton Durango

Historic Downtown Durango

CA $1,389

per person

Mar 11 - Mar 17

found 17 hours ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Toronto (YYZ) to Durango (DRO)

8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)

Proximity to downtown, shower water pressure, and daily cookies were a plus! The hotel needs updated, especially the rooms.

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2026

![Leland House Suites of Durango](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/102000000/101560000/101555700/101555660/w2698h1800x91y0-6c6fcfc2_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### Leland House Suites of Durango

Historic Downtown Durango

CA $1,608

per person

Mar 11 - Mar 17

found 17 hours ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Toronto (YYZ) to Durango (DRO)

9.6/10 Exceptional! (93 reviews)

Self check in was easy and there was Someone that greeted us to let us know to call if we needed anything. The couch was cozy with a nice throw blanket and I loved the little gas fireplace.

Reviewed on Dec 21, 2025

![The Rochester Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/540000/530300/530247/cf2144b5_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### The Rochester Hotel

Historic Downtown Durango

CA $1,625

per person

Mar 11 - Mar 17

found 17 hours ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Toronto (YYZ) to Durango (DRO)

9.6/10 Exceptional! (328 reviews)

Everything was so easy from check in to arrival and check out in the morning. The property is gorgeous and they thought of everything you could possibly need - from glasses of water to a sound machine and top notch bedding and toiletries! Location is also wonderful and it's easy to walk to so many restaurants and shops! This will be our go-to stop anytime we are in Durango!

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2026

### Popular places to visit

![Soda Canyon Overlook Trail](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635695673036/54bb35de-7d55-4cb7-9602-fdc74570bd77.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Soda Canyon Overlook Trail

For an easy hike with good views of several ruins in Mesa Verde National Park, choose this short stroll to the canyon edge.

[](https://expedia.ca/Soda-Canyon-Overlook-Trail-Mesa-Verde-National-Park.d553248635695673036.Vacation-Attraction)

![Cliff Palace which includes heritage architecture and building ruins as well as a small group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328139/25079877-0a5b-445c-846a-643231009384.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Cliff Palace

Explore this immense 700-year-old cliff dwelling, the largest and most famous ancestral residence in the impressive Mesa Verde National Park.

[](https://expedia.ca/Cliff-Palace-Mesa-Verde-National-Park.d6328139.Vacation-Attraction)

![Cliff Canyon featuring views, landscape views and desert views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635185386897/14e888a4-da43-4102-a23f-0bb18f823b3e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Cliff Canyon

The Balcony House and the Cliff Palace show how 12th-century people carved out their lives within these awe-inspiring natural walls.

[](https://expedia.ca/Cliff-Canyon-Colorado.d553248635185386897.Vacation-Attraction)

![Mesa Verde National Park which includes heritage elements and building ruins](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621555471479/1555f12f-0495-4a7a-a1a5-f3960f248f8f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Spruce Tree House

If you have time to see only one of Mesa Verde National Park’s cliff dwellings, make it this beautifully preserved site, visible from the museum.

[](https://expedia.ca/Spruce-Tree-House-Mesa-Verde-National-Park.d553248621555471479.Vacation-Attraction)

![Petroglyph Point Trail showing tranquil scenes](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328156/74df640d-696a-4b21-bcf7-303e754d11ad.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Petroglyph Point Trail

Get a close-up view of ruins and fascinating native rock art on this hiking path, as you learn about the cultural treasures of Mesa Verde National Park.

[](https://expedia.ca/Petroglyph-Point-Trail-Mesa-Verde-National-Park.d6328156.Vacation-Attraction)

![Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum showing interior views as well as a small group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6328136/e77a2d29-49c4-4a53-b210-d79482a30e39.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum

This fascinating museum depicts the life of the Ancestral Puebloan people through the use of intricate dioramas and prehistoric artifacts.

[](https://expedia.ca/Chapin-Mesa-Archeological-Museum-Mesa-Verde-National-Park.d6328136.Vacation-Attraction)

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## Best Lodging Options Near Balcony House

## Check availability on hotels close to Balcony House

[Tonight

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[Tomorrow night

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[This weekend

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[Next weekend

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### 

Far View Lodge

Mile Marker 15, inside Mesa Verde National Park CO

[](https://expedia.ca/Cortez-Hotels-Far-View-Lodge.h170601.Hotel-Information)

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### 

Holiday Inn Express Mesa Verde-Cortez by IHG

2121 E Main St Cortez CO

[](https://expedia.ca/Cortez-Hotels-Holiday-Inn-Express-Mesa-Verde-Cortez.h9074.Hotel-Information)

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Baymont by Wyndham Cortez

2279 Hawkins Cortez CO

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Ute Mountain Casino Hotel

3 Weeminuche Dr Towaoc CO

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### 

Days Inn by Wyndham Cortez

430 N State Hwy 145 Cortez CO

[](https://expedia.ca/Cortez-Hotels-Days-Inn-By-Wyndham-Cortez.h7940.Hotel-Information)

![Sprawling Mountain-view Cabin: 5 Mi to Mesa Verde](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/95000000/94350000/94343100/94343020/61b344f5_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

### 

Sprawling Mountain-view Cabin: 5 Mi to Mesa Verde

 Mancos CO

[](https://expedia.ca/Mancos-Hotels-Sprawling-Mountain-Escape-Great-For-Large-Groups.h94343020.Hotel-Information)

![Retro Inn at Mesa Verde](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1310000/1305500/1305405/6dbda0db_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

### 

Retro Inn at Mesa Verde

2040 East Main Street Cortez CO

[](https://expedia.ca/Cortez-Hotels-Retro-Inn-At-Mesa-Verde.h1305405.Hotel-Information)

![Ravensnest-Bears Den Studio Apartment](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/35000000/34520000/34512700/34512670/62c18778_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

### 

Ravensnest-Bears Den Studio Apartment

 Cortez CO

[](https://expedia.ca/Cortez-Hotels-Ravensnest-Bears-Den-Studio-Apartment.h34512670.Hotel-Information)

![Hampton Inn Mesa Verde/Cortez](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/12000000/11310000/11308800/11308761/w3840h2560x0y3-b56b8e14_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

### 

Hampton Inn Mesa Verde/Cortez

2244 E Hawkins St Cortez CO

[](https://expedia.ca/Cortez-Hotels-Hampton-Inn-Mesa-VerdeCortez.h11308761.Hotel-Information)

[See all 285 properties in Balcony House](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package&regionId=6328128)

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.