Balcony House
Balcony House
5
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5.0
882 reviews
Excellent
748
Very good
109
Average
15
Poor
9
Terrible
1
Sharman S
79 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Incredible intro to the National Park. Scheduled Ranger led, not assisted,tour in the morning. Recommend AM as it is East facing and the sunlight on the dwelllings helped illuminate the entire area. Fascinating and explorative tour of an 800 year old strucure and community. Ranger was necessary to really understand the culture and habitat of the ancestral Pueblans. Definitely need to plan trip and times as the tours fillquickly
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose S
Albany, NY12 contributions
July 2023 • Family
I am claustrophobic and a plus-sized woman, and I was really nervous about the tunnel at the end of this tour. I am writing this review to give folks information that could be helpful. I am 5' 7" and 240 lbs. I got through the tunnel pretty quickly. I felt slightly stuck during the first half, but was able to propel myself through without a problem. It opens up in the middle before getting narrow again, which helps. Also, I was able to get through on my hands and knees... I didn't have to try to go through sideways. The test tunnel at the visitor's center near the park entrance was a good indicator of what the actual tunnel was like, even if it was smoother than the actual tunnel. Since it's so hard to get tickets, I would suggest you do what I did: log on the second tickets go on sale (two weeks before, I think) buy them, and try out the test tunnel at the visitor's center. If you decide not to go at that point, there will be someone at the center without a ticket that would be happy to use it instead. It's only $8, so it could be worth a shot! I felt elated afterwards that I made it through and overcame my fears. Happy exploring!
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avery F
Phoenix, AZ33 contributions
June 2023 • Solo
What an amazing thing to be able to enter in! The site was great and learned new information that I didn’t know previously! The hardest part of the tour is actually at the end which is climbing up the rock. Only thing I wished was that our tour guide from Detroit Michigan should open up his eyes when he speaks.
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Songbird865
Pueblo, CO557 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
There is some uneven terrain, ladders and a short crawl but not overly difficult. The crawl area is short but narrow so someone extremely wide in the hips would not make it thru. Both my knees are replaced and I had no difficulty walking or crawling. If you plan to do this tour get onto the reservation site at 8am MT 14 days before you planned date. Our ranger guide Rachel was fantastic. We had her the day before as well for the long house tour.
Written 30 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa P
Westminster, MD138 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Due to a neurological disorder and poor balance, I needed to find a tour of a cliff dwelling that I could do. This tour had a hand rail all the way down and while the ladders were a bit challenging, I took them slowly and the rangers were very encouraging and patient. This was a good tour and the cliff dwelling was so fascinating. Make sure to get tickets when they go on sale rather than waiting until you arrive at the park.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian B
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Balcony House is amazing! Incredible cliff dwelling coupled with a slight fear of death from the ladders! We also did Cliff Palace, but I felt this was much more exciting for the kids and teens, although Cliff Palce is also well worth it because of how awesome the structures are.
I was worried about the tunnel but that's no big deal. And it opens up wide in the middle, so you really just have to slide through like 2-3 feet on each end. We all agreed the ladders were more scary, especially if you have even a slight fear of heights.
Book tickets in advance- Balcony House is an awesome tour and experience!
I was worried about the tunnel but that's no big deal. And it opens up wide in the middle, so you really just have to slide through like 2-3 feet on each end. We all agreed the ladders were more scary, especially if you have even a slight fear of heights.
Book tickets in advance- Balcony House is an awesome tour and experience!
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FamilyTravel
Clayton, NC38 contributions
June 2024 • Family
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Balcony House. The ladders are intense for those with any issues with heights. The views and history are amazing. The park service does not limit ages on this tour. It was stressful to watch young children not respect the edge of the high paths, and not respect the ruins themselves. This is a tour for seeing AND learning; reconsider if your child is not able to stand and listen for 10 minutes at a time.
Written 12 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morgan C
Fullerton, CA304 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Well worth the effort to reserve a ranger guided tour. The tour involves a lot of steps, first down and then up, climbing up ladders, and crawling through a short tunnel. Just enough to make the tour memorable and fun. The ladders do get really hot to the touch so if you have sensitive hands, bring some gloves. Of course, Balcony House itself is the star, but the journey to and from makes it more memorable than the equally fascinating Cliff Palace tour.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaySt
Baton Rouge27 contributions
May 2019
I really enjoyed this. You have to get tickets at the visitor center. It was four dollars each. You have to climb three ladders about 10-15 feet in height and pretty steep. Also, you have to crawl through a tunnel about five feet long. If you have compromised knees you may want to pass. The tunnel is not long but the floor is solid rock, and you can only fit through by crawling. OK, that's the fun part. The interesting part is the presentation by the Ranger. Very interesting and about 20 minutes long. If I ever get back to Mesa Verde I will be doing this again.
Written 6 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bugqueen
Burnaby, Canada1,203 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We booked the ranger led tour for 9am...Jorden was our guide. He was awesome, really made the tour feel personal! Balcony House was amazing and if your going all that way you need to do it up close and personel! Thanks Jorden for making it special!
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian, thank you for the info on the tunnel at Balcony House in Mesa Verde. I'm a bit claustrophobia, but as long as the tunnel is short, and I can see an opening on the other side, I should be fine. How long is the narrow part of the tunnel? Thanks. Dan
Written 23 August 2021
How much does this tour cost?
Written 10 January 2020
How long is the balcony house tour? How about the length of other tours? How many can you do in a day, basically? Thanks!
Written 3 November 2018
Balcony house tour started a bit late at they give LOTS of warnings and instructions and it lasted about 1 1/2 hours. Much depends on the group's agility and ability to get up ladders and squeeze through holes.
We did two tours and there was a lot of repetition. If I was doing it over again, I would pick just one and spend more time at the many stops along the road with sights and information. Binoculars are helpful.
Written 3 November 2018
I am curious what age children would be okay doing this attraction. We are coming in July and have a 4, 7, and 10 year old. Thank you in advance.
Written 6 October 2018
Your 4 year old might have some trouble. Our 4 year grand daughter does not like to hike. We took her this fall and she cried the entire way back, it was 3 miles uphill, so I felt my son should have left her behind with the family. The other kids should be fine. Bring a LOT of water. You can’t have sugary drinks around the ruins, that also means gum. The ranger took gum for one of the kids. Have a great time on the hike.
Written 21 January 2019
Bonjour, je serai à Mesa verde début août et je voudrais visiter Balcony house. Faut-il réserver à l'avance la visite ou est-ce inutile et nous suffit-il de la payer au moment de la faire? A quel moment de la journée est-elle conseillée?
Merci par avance.
Written 18 July 2016
Bonjour je pense qu'il vaudrait mieux réserver ou y être à la première heure au visiter Center pour acheter les tickets et accepter un créneau horaire si il en reste 1.
Nous venons de le faire en Avril et a 9h15 il restait 22 places je n'ose pas imaginer en août.
cela vaut vraiment le coup c'est une super expérience que nous oublierons jamais.
En août préférez le matin si possible car en altitude + la chaleur les efforts demandent bien plus d énergie.
Bon séjour dans l'ouest.
Written 30 April 2018
how do I get to Balcony House from WI. and are there motels that will take you to this location for a tour?
Written 29 May 2016
From Wisconsin? First, get to Mesa Verde, closest significant town is Cortex, CO.
Then either with a rental car or your own, drive to the Mesa Verde Visitors' Center. Get a park map and get a ticket for the tour.
I wouldn't bother trying to book a tour through a motel. There's little added value. I'd review the park web site for details.
Written 29 May 2016
Visiting all the way from Nashville. I have one day to spend there. How likely am I to get tickets to the Cliff House/Balcony House on (and for) the day I arrive? Thanks!
Written 8 July 2015
It depends what time you arrive. If you arrive when the Visitor Center opens you should be ok. Ideally, if your schedule permits, arrive the day before and purchase for the following morning.
Written 19 July 2015
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