Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Mesa Verde National Park
Don't miss a thing as GuideAlong's Audio Driving Tour takes you on an incredible self-guided journey through the first US National Park created to preserve archeological and cultural sites. Along the way, you'll be guided to all of the famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including North America's largest cliff dwelling and the park's highest 360 degree viewpoint. Download and discover more on your road trip with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically along the drive. You'll have the freedom to explore offline at your own pace. Spend more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t. ✅ Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location ✅ Travel at your own pace ✅ Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed ✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use ✅ Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates. Purchase one tour per vehicle.
Departure Point
- Start at (Cortez or Durango) or join anywhere along the tour route. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour" and follow the instructions to download now over Wi-Fi/cell service. Then, preview the start location/s and tour route in the app.
Return Details
- Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.
Duration
4 hours - 12 hours
Languages Available
- Audio guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Mesa Verde National Park
Colorado
As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi-day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Balcony House
Colorado
Located on the Cliff Palace Loop, Balcony House is one of the more adventurous of the cliff house tours as it requires climbing multiple ladders and even squeezing through tight passageways. The best non-tour view of Balcony House is from the Soda Creek Overlook Trail, also located on the Cliff Palace Loop Road. To see inside Balcony House, you must have a ticket for the Ranger-guided tour.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
Colorado
This museum has a superb collection of items and exhibitions and provides an excellent opportunity to experience more of the culture, beyond just seeing the ruins.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Cliff Palace
Colorado
Perhaps the most famous of all the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, Cliff Palace was first re-found by rancher Richard Wetherill, though he'd received tips of its existence from a local Ute member. It is the largest cliff dwelling in North America with 151 rooms and 23 kivas. Getting into Cliff Palace requires a pre-purchased ticket and the tour is considered Ranger-assisted. Your timed visit is supervised by a ranger who provides information, but you are somewhat allowed to self-explore.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Montezuma Valley Overlook
State Highway 10, Mancos, CO 81328
Mesa Verde is most famous for its cliff dwellings and rich archeological sites, but its elevated mesa-top setting also means we get to enjoy some fantastic views in every direction. Though its naming is factually incorrect, the Montezuma Valley Overlook reveals a landscape where we can see as far as 100 miles away. This view is also significant because it shares the locations of other significant pueblo sites in the valley below.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Spruce Tree House
Colorado
There are many worthwhile scenic views throughout Mesa Verde, but this one must rank as the best. A full 360 degrees of viewing can be enjoyed from this highest, easily-accessible point in the park. On a clear day you should be able to see into each of the Four Corners states, as well as numerous mountain ranges and specific geological features such as Shiprock.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Step House
Wetherill Mesa Rd, Colorado
Spruce Tree House is located at the same access area as the museum and other park services. Though it is not as large as Cliff Palace, this dwelling is considered the best preserved. It is easily appreciated and photographed from the viewpoint behind the museum. Unfortunately due to some rock falls and destabilization, it is not possible to visit inside the Spruce Tree House for an indefinite time moving forward. There are also 2 popular but somewhat strenuous hiking trails that leave from this location; Petroglyph Point Trail - which as the name suggests, leads to a petroglyph panel, and the Spruce Canyon Trail. Expect each of these hikes to take approx 2 hours.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Sun Temple
Mesa Top Loop Road, Mesa (Mesa County), Colorado
Step House is the best opportunity in Mesa Verde to be able to get up-close and personal with a cliff dwelling, but does not require a that you join a ranger-led tour, and that you do not need tickets to see. Step House is located at the end point of the excellent drive along Wetherill Mesa Road. The bonus of visiting Step House is the many outstanding views along the 20 minute each way drive.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
- Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
- Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
- Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
- Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
- Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
- Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
- Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
- Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
- Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
- Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
- Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
- Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
- Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
- GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 100+ Points
- Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
- Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
Exclusions
- National Park Price 2024 (Car & Bicycle - Winter/$20, Summer/$30)
- Ranger-led tours
Redemption Instructions
STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:
1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW
FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search your inbox for “Your Tour Operator Sent You A Message” and “Instructions for GuideAlong Audio Tour.” Check All Mail and your junk/spam folder.
- Text: Check for a text message from +17817732638.
- This Ticket: Find the voucher code at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step 1.
- Viator App: Open your booking and select Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Open your Account and select Messages.
- Need help? Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must pre-download both the GuideAlong app and audio tour to your phone over reliable wifi or cellular data before you drive out of signal. If you can OPEN your tour and see the START TOURING button, your tour is downloaded. No service is required while touring.
FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry, date or time limit for your tour, so download the GuideAlong app and audio tour now. If your plans change to a different day there’s no need to change your travel date.
CHARGING & SOUND
We don’t recommend connecting your phone to the vehicle's USB port. Instead, use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to prevent an automatic secondary pairing and keep your phone charged. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported, so listen to the tour through your phone’s speaker or pair it to your car stereo via Bluetooth: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.
HELP & SUPPORT
- FAQs: Check the offline Help menu in the GuideAlong app or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings