Drought is a common occurrence in the desert Southwest, making it understandable that a persistent lack of rainfall contributed to the downfall of the Chaco culture.

For a long time, many believed that these Ancestral Puebloans vanished as though they had evaporated into thin air. However, they did not disappear; their descendants are still among us today . . . but that’s a story for another time.

As drought devastated one farming family after another, they moved away in search of more fertile land and reliable water sources. People lived and farmed in the Four Corners region from around 550 to 1300 CE. They constructed pit houses and cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash near streams and on the mesas.

Why Were Cliff Dwellings Built?

Then, there was a shift. People started constructing cliff dwellings — at Keet Seel and Betatakin in Arizona and Mesa Verde in the southwest corner of Colorado. Archaeologists have questioned the reasons behind this change.

In his book Anasazi America, David Stuart, an archaeologist at the University of New Mexico, suggests possible explanations. Maybe building in the cliffs freed up more land for farming. Or perhaps these structures protected them against an unknown adversary.

Unknown? The region was arid and scorching. People struggled, and some were even starving. Such conditions could easily fuel social tension.

If one group successfully cultivated crops, it’s conceivable that a less fortunate group might attempt to take these resources by force. It turns out the threat was not from strangers but possibly from their neighbors.

More Secure Than a Gated Community

Cliff dwellings offered a clever resolution. These structures, constructed on the southern faces of canyons beneath overhanging rocks, provided warmth from the low winter sun and shade from the intense summer sun.

This type of construction allowed people to farm the bottomlands and mesa tops. They could retreat from pit-house villages on the mesas during winter or in times of threat. A few sentries, assisted by dogs and stationed above the cliff dwellings, could effectively guard the residents below from surprise attacks.

Up and Down of Living in Cliff Dwellings

When you visit Mesa Verde, you’ll quickly grasp the challenges faced by those who chose to live there — picture residing in one of the block rooms. Need water? You’d descend more than a hundred feet, then lug a water-filled pot back up.

Want corn? You’d climb over a hundred feet to the mesa top to tend and gather your crops, then carry the harvest down to your home. All this effort was necessary to protect your hard-earned produce from envious neighbors.

Why People Abandoned Cliff Dwellings

Living in cliff dwellings proved unsustainable, and the Puebloan people inhabited these impressive structures for only about a century. Afterward, the residents did not simply vanish; they relocated. Many journeyed approximately 200 miles southeast.

Their migration was neither sudden nor uniform but occurred gradually. They settled along the San Juan River, Rio Chama, and Rio Grande tributaries, where they found water and fertile land. Here, they constructed multi-story villages using adobe brick.

These communities are known today as the Tewa, Tiwa, and Keresan peoples, residing in what the Spanish named pueblos — including Taos, Ohkay Owingeh, Laguna, and Sandia, among others, which are part of the 23 sovereign nations in New Mexico.

What You Can See and Do

Visiting Mesa Verde is a remarkable experience. It features some of North America’s most significant and well-preserved ruins, boasting more than 4,700 archaeological sites. You can opt for a luxurious stay at nearby lodges or, if you’re more of an outdoor enthusiast, you can book a campsite and sleep beneath the stars. Either choice makes for a memorable trip.

If you decide to stay close by, the Mesa Verde Motel is just seven miles away in the historic town of Mancos, Colorado. This boutique motel serves as an ideal base when exploring local attractions.

The National Park Service charges a seven-day entrance fee of $30 per car from May 1 to October 22 and $20 for the rest of the year. Ranger-guided tours of the Cliff Palace, lasting an hour, cost $8 per person. These tour tickets are in high demand, so booking them early via recreation.gov is advisable.

Get Your Hands Dirty on the Balcony House Tour 

You can join a ranger-guided tour of Balcony House, lasting one hour, available from late April until mid-October. This tour is among the most engaging and adventurous, testing your comfort with ladders, heights, and confined spaces as you navigate the communal areas of a mid-sized, 40-room dwelling.

Participating in the Balcony House tour involves descending a 100-foot staircase into the canyon, climbing a 32-foot ladder, squeezing through a 12-foot-long tunnel 18 inches wide, and ascending another 60 feet using ladders and stone steps. You can purchase tickets online at recreation.gov.

The area also offers hiking trails, though they are challenging due to steep elevation changes. These hikes provide a glimpse into the daily lives of the people who once inhabited the area. However, Balcony House and similar trails are not advisable for individuals with heart or respiratory conditions or a fear of heights.

Drive the Loop Road for an Overview

You can also drive along the Mesa Top Loop Road, which overlooks the most stunning dwellings — including views of Cliff Palace from Sun Point View, Spruce Tree House, Square Tower House, and the Sun Temple. This loop road is accessible every day from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Other Learning Adventures

While your primary focus at Mesa Verde may be on its architectural wonders, the park also offers excellent opportunities for bird watching, plant walks, wildlife observation, geological studies, and stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the nation.

For comprehensive information and to make reservations, check the Mesa Verde National Park website before you visit. Explore and discover how these early Americans lived.

Planning any trip includes deciding on accommodations. Situated just seven miles from Mesa Verde National Park, the Mesa Verde Motel in Mancos, Colorado, offers a superb base to relax and explore the area’s attractions. Located in downtown Mancos, the motel is within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shops.