The Balcony house is part of the Cliff Palace loop trail and was also home to the Pueblo Indians from New Mexico and Arizona who left the region in 1300. The place was discovered during a coal-mine prospecting field worked by S. E. Osborn, W. H. Hayes, and George W. Jones and was excavated by Jesse Nusbaum in the early 20th century. The house consists of 40 rooms, a number of kivas and plazas that can be accessed by climbing a 32- feet ladder that is rested on a vertical cliff face. The kiva is by far one of the most interesting structures of the Balcony House. For those who are curious, Kivas are underground ceremonial places used by the Puebloans that formed a common space for performing religious activities and spiritual rituals.

A few places on the walls of the house still have coloured plaster and the entrance tunnel itself is pretty small to allow only one person to enter at a time. The best part is that after the guided tours, you get some time to walk around and explore the place on your own. You can see a nearby pond from where the people living here would get water for their daily activities and sections of walls with windows that still stand strong. If you love hiking and climbing, the journey itself will be a highlight of your visit here while history lovers can truly get a sense of just how similar (and in a way dissimilar), civilization across the world has always been!

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• Carry bottled drinking water and snacks (carrying loads of energy bars will help).
• Wear sunscreen, heavy-duty shoes and comfortable clothes.
• Note: you can enter the palace only with a ranger-guided tour.
• Try to visit the place during the day.

Balcony Hours Tours Prices: (April 13-October 20)

• Adults: USD 34
• Children (between age 5-17): USD 23
• Children under Age 5: Free

Admission Fee to the park for private vehicles (valid for 7 days):

• January 2 - April 30, 2018; November 1 - December 31, 2018 Fee: $ 15.00
• May 1 - October 31, 2018 Fee: $ 20.00

Admission Fee to the park for Motorcycle (valid for 7 days):

• January 2 - April 30, 2018; November 1 - December 31, 2018 Fee: $ 10.00
• May 1 - October 31, 2018 Fee: $ 15.00

Admission Fee to the park for every Bicyclist and Individual (valid for 7 days):

• January 2 - April 30, 2018; November 1 - December 31, 2018 Fee: $ 7.00 per person
• May 1 - October 31, 2018 Fee: $ 10.00 per person

Mesa Verde Annual Pass: USD 40

Admission fee to the park for Non-Commercial Group (based on vehicle capacity) January 2 - April 30, 2018; November 1 - December 31, 2018: valid for 7 days Less than 16 people: USD 15 per vehicle

• 16-25 people: USD 7 per person (cannot exceed over USD 100)
• 26 or more people: USD 7 per person (not to exceed USD 200)

Admission Fee to the park for Non-Commercial Group (based on vehicle capacity): May 1 – October 31, 2018: valid for 7 days Less than 16 people: USD 20 per vehicle

• 16-25 people: USD 10 per person (cannot exceed over USD 100)
• 26 or more people: USD 10 per person (not to exceed USD 200)

• The park is open 24 hours a day from 365 days a year.
• Balcony Hours tours hours: from Far view lodge 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
• The Cliff Palace Loop Road hours: required to each the Balcony Hours is open every day from 8.00 am to sunset. (around 8.00 pm)

• By renting a Bicycle. (the park accepts an application for bike rentals)
• By renting a Car.
• You need to hike/ walk around the place to reach various spots around the park.

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