Prater Ridge Trail

Mesa Verde National Park

strenuous

Length: 6.44 mi

Est. time: 2h 42m

Gain: 1,144 ft

Loss: 764 ft

Max elev: 8,416 ft

NetworkSoilhike

Elevation profile

+1,144 ft gain · −764 ft loss — an estimate from a DEM.

Trailhead & logistics

Trailhead parking (Place)

Morefield Campground (Campground)

Connect the dots

Learn:

Art and Archeology: “Crashing the Gates” with Ann Axtell Morris Can You Solve It? A Scavenger Hunt Middens and Math: “Crashing the Gates” with Florence Hawley Ellis Pottery of the Ancestral Pueblo The Dirt on Ancestral Puebloan Plaster and Paint Understanding World Heritage

Journeys:

Ann Axtell Morris Earl Morris Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Yelm Kingman Florence Hawley Ellis Jean McWhirt Pinkley Jesse Nusbaum

Plan smart, verify on site

Length, elevation, and difficulty are estimates derived from open data (NPS Public Trails GIS, medium confidence) — not a safety guarantee. Conditions change; check current closures, weather, and water, and carry the essentials. Always defer to NPS.gov and park rangers.

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