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.
