Mesa Verde National Park will provide chili, cookies, hot chocolate and music at the Far View Terrace for its Holiday Open House and Luminaria event Dec. 12.
The event will run from 5 to 9 p.m. and is free.
Visitors are encouraged to drive the Mesa Top Loop road to view minimally lit Mesa Top Loop sites and select visible cliff dwellings.
Pathways and parking areas will be illuminated by luminarias, but flashlights or headlamps are strongly encouraged. The headquarters area, including the Chapin Mesa Museum and Spruce Tree House, will not be lit.
Parking is limited along the Mesa Top Loop road. Because of limited parking, Mesa Verde officials request that visitor limit their stays at any one location so others can enjoy the sights.
Officials also request no tripods because many overlooks are small and cannot safely accommodate large numbers of people or equipment at any one time.
Staff members recommend visitors dress warmly and bring flashlights or headlamps.
No park entrance fee will be charged after 5 p.m. Dec 12.
The Far View area is 15 miles into the park, and the Mesa Top Loop is 20 miles into the park.
Event activities at Far View Terrace will conclude at 8 p.m., and activities on the Mesa Top Loop will conclude at 9 p.m.
For information, contact the park at (970) 529-4465. For more information about Mesa Verde National Park, please visit its website, at www.nps.gov/meve.
Mesa Verde is assisted by Aramark and the Mesa Verde Museum Association in providing in the night’s treats and organizing the 2019 Holiday Open House.