- Best time to visit Mesa Verde: May and August to October. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: June, with about 88,886 visits in a typical recent year. That is 3.2 times as many as April.
- Quietest month: January (6,012 visits), when weather or closures keep most people away.
- Snow: January to March and December average 6 inches or more of snow at the station.
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Visits (typical) | High / low (°F) | Precipitation | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very quiet | 6,012 | 40° / 12° | 1.4 in | 15 in |
| February | Very quiet | 6,790 | 44° / 17° | 1.3 in | 13 in |
| March | Very quiet | 16,659 | 53° / 23° | 1.1 in | 7 in |
| April | Quiet | 27,821 | 61° / 28° | 1.0 in | 4 in |
| May ★ | Busy | 55,181 | 70° / 35° | 1.0 in | 1 in |
| June | Busiest | 88,886 | 81° / 43° | 0.6 in | 0 in |
| July | Busiest | 83,120 | 85° / 50° | 1.6 in | 0 in |
| August ★ | Busy | 67,532 | 82° / 49° | 1.8 in | 0 in |
| September ★ | Busy | 62,375 | 75° / 42° | 1.9 in | 0 in |
| October ★ | Moderate | 48,975 | 64° / 31° | 1.4 in | 1 in |
| November | Very quiet | 13,219 | 51° / 22° | 1.2 in | 5 in |
| December | Very quiet | 8,734 | 40° / 14° | 1.2 in | 13 in |
Weather figures are NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Mancos 1Sw station (6,897 feet above sea level), 5 miles from Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center. Visitor numbers are the median of 2022 to 2025 monthly recreation visits from the National Park Service.
By season
- Spring (March to May): 21% of the year’s visits; average highs 53° to 70°F.
- Summer (June to August): 49% of the year’s visits; average highs 81° to 85°F.
- Fall (September to November): 26% of the year’s visits; average highs 51° to 75°F.
- Winter (December to February): 4% of the year’s visits; average highs 40° to 44°F.
Weekends and holidays
Even in a quiet month, holiday weekends fill parking lots and campgrounds. The 2027 federal holidays to plan around:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 18
- Presidents Day: Monday, February 15
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 31
- Juneteenth: Saturday, June 19
- Independence Day: Sunday, July 4 (observed Monday, July 5)
- Labor Day: Monday, September 6
- Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day: Monday, October 11
- Veterans Day: Thursday, November 11
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 25
Entrance is free for U.S. residents on the park service’s fee-free days. The last one in 2026 is Veterans Day, November 11; the 2027 dates had not been announced when we checked. Free days are often busier. See the crowd calendar for all 64 parks.
Weather, in the park service’s words
SPRING: This season offers a range of weather including clear skies, wind, rain, cloudy days and temperatures from 40 to 70°F (4 to 21° C). Snow may fall into May. SUMMER: Most days are sunny and temperatures can reach above 90°F (32°C) . Thunderstorms are common in July and August. FALL: Temperatures range from 50 to 75°F (10 to 24°C). Snow may fall as early as October. WINTER: Temps range from the teens to low 30s F (below -1°C) . Icy roads are common. Snow tires, all-wheel drive, or chains may be required.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Today at Mesa Verde
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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
Sources
- National Park Service visitor use statistics (IRMA): monthly recreation visits, 2022 to 2025
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020 (monthly)
- National Park Service Data API: weather overview (public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.