The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are a privately owned tourist attraction consisting of replica Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and interpretive exhibits located …
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4.0/5 · 2,041 reviews
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Feb 6, 2025
Disgusting tourist trap. Stolen and looted stones were used to create these replicas, but are not acknowledged whatsoever. And using all of this to lure in tourist dollars to a site that talks about …Full review by Madison D
Feb 1, 2025
It was just ok. The buildings were moved from near Mesa Verde and rebuilt on this site using concrete mortar. It does not feel super authentic. The museum part has nice displays but it is mostly gift…Full review by Erin N
Dec 18, 2024
This was kinda cool but nothing special. You can walk through it and take pics. You don’t need to spend too much time here.Full review by Charlie_S_SD
It's a replica. This is copied from their web site. "The 40 room site was originally located in McElmo Canyon, which is in the southwest corner of Colorado near Mesa Verde and …
It's a replica. This is copied from their web site. "The 40 room site was originally located in McElmo Canyon, which is in the southwest corner of Colorado near Mesa Verde and Dolores. The process of relocating these cliff dwellings began in 1904 and was completed in 1907 when the preserve was opened to the public." However, it is a very good replica from someone who has hiked and climbed up to the real thing. If you are short on time, ability or stamina this is a great stop! You can park right there at the Cliff Dwellings. My grandkids did not know the difference and they learned a great deal. So did I. If you have lots of time and stamina, go to Mesa Verde or the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
We plan on going in early January. Is this easily accessible during winter and possible snow?
A:
There was actually a delay opening the day we went. They will open if there is snow, but they will plow their roads inside before they let anyone in. If you call ahead they will tell you if …
There was actually a delay opening the day we went. They will open if there is snow, but they will plow their roads inside before they let anyone in. If you call ahead they will tell you if they are delayed or closed for the day.
Hi, We want to go to Mesa Verde to see the Indian cliff dwellings but are limited in time due to the many other places we want to visit. I've read about the Manitou dwellings and read your review and you speak favorably of them. In your opinion, do you think we should stretch it (the time/days) and go to Mesa Verde or would the Manitou dwellings satisfy our desire to see 'real' (I know they have been reproduced and/or moved to Manitou) cliff dwellings. We would have to go out of our way to visit Mesa. I guess if we haven't seen the 'real' thing (in Mesa Verde) I guess we wouldn't know the difference? I would appreciate your opinion - thanks in advance.
A:
I've never been to Mesa Verde, although the brochure looked great! The Manitou Springs ones are nice. They're the real thing but have been mortared and so on so that you can climb …
I've never been to Mesa Verde, although the brochure looked great! The Manitou Springs ones are nice. They're the real thing but have been mortared and so on so that you can climb all over them -- that is, they're very hands-on, and so they've been very much stabilized, which makes them modernly reinforced old cliff dwellings. You do get the genuine feeling for how short the people were, etc. (I hit my head on a low-hanging beam.) Pike's Peak is pretty much across the street and up a little road, so you could do two nifty things close together. You need to make reservations at Pike's Peak (for the train if you take it).
Hi, my husband and our two older teen boys will be going here today to explore. I am bringing my dog, as my husband told me the website said they are allowed. I'm interested to explore this place and hope it goes easy on me, as I have a terrible back, but I always keep going! Does anyone have any advice for my ability to handle this or any issues with our dog? Thanks!
A:
I agree with the above reviewers. You can do as much or as little as you are able. You should still be able to see the things of interest without too much stress on your back.
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