The Puye Cliff Dwellings are closed until further notice (as of last week of November) because of a road maintenance project. Please give the visitor center a call before you plan to visit this place. read more

Puye Cliff Dwellings - Tours Near Me - Espanola, New Mexico

Five stars for a great look into the ancient Pueblo people. The 1 hr Mesa top tour was perfect- I recommend checking the weather and going early or later in the day because it can get very hot and there is no shade at the top where they do most of the talking about the history. Our tour guide was Samantha and she did a great job. They have done a beautiful job maintaining the site and hiring local tribe members. Overall, it was great to walk through the ruins and while terrifying to get to, it was so cool to see the cliff dwellings up close. Definitely have to be moderately fit to make it down the hill but they do have the option to take the tour van they use to get us to the top back down. That said, if you don't climb down you miss the best part of the tour. I recommend wearing clothes that you can rinse off easily (I had an athletic skort on which was the perfect material to dust off). read more

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Gorgeous 360-degree views from the mesa top! Fascinating history of the 100 generations of people who used the mesa top in summer and the cliff dwellings in winter! A great educational tour by our guide Simon who is friendly, helpful, humorous, and knowledgeable--thank you! If you're interested in the Puye Adventure trip (2hrs), it's only available first thing in the morning because the cliffside gets too hot later. I recommend hiking boots or other closed toe shoes with good treads because of the narrow trails as well as a long climb down a ladder from the mesa top to the cliff dwellings. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the two-hour tour as well. read more

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Ernest was a Great guide! Very knowledgeable and interesting. We were able to handle small artifacts which was really cool. The hike down the very worn "stairs" was challenging (slippery and steep in sections). We were adequately informed about the stairs and 30ft ladder we had to climb down to reach the bottom. Shuttling back in the van was an option rather than the stairs and ladder but our group was adventurous and we all made it down safely. A lot of fun!! read more

The Puye cliff dwellings were awesome. We were picked up by a van and brought to the top of the Mesa. Full 360 views. The guide was awesome and took us down the staircases and ladder on the cliff face (there was an option to go back down with the van). Would recommend! read more

Puye Cliff Dwellings - Tours Near Me - Espanola, New Mexico

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Great tour did the mesa one and it was the best one tour guide was great and visitor center was very nice read more

We have been to Mesa Verde and Bandelier and still found this tour interesting. It is a nice complement to the other two places. And, in contrast to the other two, there were 6 cars in the parking lot and 9 people on our tour. The Ruins are within the Santa Clara Pueblo and the guides are students from the Pueblo. The visitors center is an old Harvey House. We took the one-hour cliff side tour ($20 per person) which involved walking uphill on a dirt trail and then walking along the cliff edge next to the dugout dwellings and petroglyphs. The walk up hill on the dirt trail was the hardest part of the walk. The downhill walk was on a paved trail. However, the tour after ours started on the paved trail behind the Visitors Center. Very clean bathrooms here and some exhibits about the Pueblo's past and present in the Visitors Center. It's about 8 miles on paved roads from Highway 30. It's a dusty and hot walk so bring water (or buy it in the gift shop) and dress appropriately. read more

To be honest, I never would have come if it wasn't for the National Parks being shutdown, but I am really glad I did. Roughly $20 per adult and it was worth every penny. I was on the Mesa too tour which was only supposed to last an hour but ended up being closer to 2.5 hours. We walked all around the top and the guide was extremely knowledgeable. He pointed out different features of not only the dwellings, but the surrounding areas as well. We then went down the cliffs and toured the cave dwellings. This part is not only physically strenuous, but absolutely breathtaking. It was a long, slow descent but he helped people out and pointed out the hieroglyphs along the way. This was where he went above and beyond. This was not actually part of the Mesa top tour but I'm glad we went this way. Word of caution: if you have a fear of heights like I do, you may want to rethink this option. I went that way because it sounded like a good idea at the time. By the time we got to the 30 foot ladder, I was shaking like a leaf but I'm hard headed and am constantly pushing myself hoping I overcome it. I haven't yet but I'm not giving up either. At the end of the tour, the guide invited all of us to participate in the feast day at the Santa Clara Pueblo with his tribe. I am sincerely hoping I can fit it into my itinerary. read more

Puye Cliff Dwellings is located outside Espanola and on the way to Los Alamos. It's part of the Santa Clara Pueblo and is a historical treasure (and national landmark) on par with nearby Bandelier. In the Tewa language, the name Puye translates as "pueblo ruin where the rabbits assemble or meet." For more than three centuries - about A.D. 1250 to 1577 - this spectacular and isolated community was home for over 1500 Santa Clara Pueblo Indians who built villages, dwelled, farmed, and hunted game here. They had to move 10 miles east to the present Pueblo location when drought caused springs to dry up and crops to fail. Gayle, Erin, Jim and I spent a few hours here, starting with restored 1930s Harvey House, which features a gift shop on one side and a small but nicely curated museum on the other. It's a little bit of a hike out here (past the Welcome Center), and it was well worth the time, effort, and fascinating history lesson. Gayle and I also came away with a couple ceramic grandfather owls by a resident local artist in keeping with this Pueblo's artistic reputation. We took the Mesa Top Tour, which involved a ride up to the top. We were greeted with outstanding views and a fascinating guided tour by a member of the Pueblo. We had the chance to climb with a Kiva, explore the multi-room ancient home and common areas, and then climb down past the cliff dwellings and back down to the Harvey House. It was a eye-opening and humble experience. It was well worth the time and the modest cost to take the tour and learn from one of the Pueblo's best. I want to come back and learn more. read more

Absolutely amazing. Lots of walking and climbing. Stunning view, amazing history. Our guide was fantastic.

Quiet with knowledgeable guides. Great side trip off the beaten track. It's been a few years but it certainly hasn't changed..

.Two reasons this gets 5 stars: 1. The tour guide was fantastic. November 5, 2018. He knew his history and was enthusiastic about it. He took time to answer questions. We learned a tremendous amount from him. Going down into the kiva was a honor. 2. The view from the top of the cliffs was incredible. Walking among the large amount of ruins felt like going back in time. Taken several ruin tours - this was the best! read more

My family and I came here because the national parks got close so to government shutdown and am very glad we did. The site is amazing and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. We took the 1 hour tour on the Mesa too and ended up coming down the Mesa through the cliff dwellings it was incredible the kid loved it ir your out here come through and check it out the tour guide envelope invited the group to stop by the Santa Clara Pueblo's Christmas celebrations. read more

We drove from Santa Fe towards Taos - a pretty drive decorated with beautiful art work on the sound walls & overpasses! This state knows how to beautify their roadways! There are two point of contacts - the Welcome Center (you buy your tickets then drive about a mile or so to get to the cliffs) and the Tour Center which is right at the base of the dwellings. The drive up was interesting - you could see quite a few of the cliff dwellings that aren't part of the area you can tour - demonstrating how pervasive this form of shelter was for a time. Unfortunately we arrived about 1/2 hour before closing - too late for any of the tours. One tour that took folks up the well-designed ladders looked too challenging for me but the lower level one I could have done. It was reached with a short walk up the hill that put you right next to the lower dwellings. I'd be worried about kids being too reckless on the upper levels - they're littered with small rocks & uneven surfaces What we saw is still incredible. We were able to get fascinating pictures of some of the upper levels that look like a stiff wind will (or did) knock down the structures back to the ground. Inside the Tour Center was a small. well laid-out set of placards & over-sized photos detailing some of the excavations & their findings. Opposite that area was a small, attractive gift shop & outside them both were large, clean bathrooms - a welcome sight! Honestly - we're not nature nuts but the most interesting sights in New Mexico have dealt with the ancient cultures and the ancient land events. This was another one. read more

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I was so happy upon this discovery. I learned quite a bit about how this place came about. The tour lasted a little over an hour but it can be longer depending on what one signs up for. You are more than welcome to probably look this up but I can tell you that it was an enchanting experience to walk through this dwelling. The tour guy was so informative as well as a good storyteller. There was a little bit of hiking but small ones. However, do dress comfortable and preferably wear either tennis shoes or hiking shoes. I do not recommend the ladies to wear lululemon because you will ruin it here if you are not careful. I don't know how much the tour costs because this was a surprise trip from my in-laws but it was a refreshing experience since I don't know much about the Native American culture. The tour guide drove us up to the top with a group and walked down or hiked down to get to the end of the tour. They also have a shop to get souvenirs. They have their schedule for the tour and don't try be late either because you could miss the entire tour. Last but not the least, use the restroom before going up. Be in good spirit and enjoy what you can. read more

Puye Cliff Dwellings - Entrance to Puye... - Tours Near Me - Espanola, New Mexico

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Drove there today and they are closed! Wish this info was posted on yelp or other so people don't waste their time and gas!

This place is so worth a visit! The guided tour is AWESOME! Our guide, Elijah, couldn't have been better. I highly recommend a visit here, for locals and tourists. read more

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My fiancé and I stopped by Puye Cliff Dwellings after being extremely disappointed with our trip to bandalier national monument. We got to Puye and decided to do their one hour tour. We were quite tired after bandalier but felt like we didn't quite get a grasp of the history of these cliff dwellings and the tribal life so wanted to delve deeper which this tour definitely did. Our guide was emeric and he was a wealth of knowledge and traditional and Such a great guide. We hiked to the cave dwellings and then to the top of the Mesa. Emeric shared with us so much history and gave us plenty of time to walk around and answered any questions we had. Right before we descended from the Mesa, he led us down a kiva which was awesome! We had the best time! I would recommend everyone to check this spot it - it is definitely too overlooked. And don't forget to tip the guides - they're amazing! read more

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The Puye Cliff Dwellings are a smaller, less touristy version of Mesa Verde, Bandelier, and Chaco Canyon. The mesa is in a secluded place, out in the wilderness. One can do plenty of exploring on one's own. The Anasazi still remain an ancient mystery. Traditional-minded Navajo avoid Anasazi ruins, for Anasazi translates as "ancient enemies." Whatever that enmity was, remains an enigma. The Puye Cliff Dwellings have a spectacular view of the mountains. Most amazing of all, one feels enrobed in the sky. It is simply you and the sky above. An interesting detail of the Cliff Dwellings is a carving depicting a dragon. The dragon looks European, as if a bunch of Dungeons&Dragons roleplayers etched into the rock. Yet it isn't. It dates back to ancient times. The Puye Cliff Dwellings are a silent witness to the grandeur of the Anasazi culture. read more

This place is so awesome. I had no idea how old the dwellings are until weeks after I randomly popped into the area to view the dwellings. The shop is small but the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The parking area is gravel which makes he approach to the shop a little dice-y but still manageable. The area isn't what I would say cometely wheelchair accessible but I could still see the dwellings from lower accessible area. All and all still worth the drive back for the view and shop goodies. read more

This place is really cool! Indigenous culture is definitely my thing. Our tour guide was informative and friendly. Got to see some really cool cliff dwellings, ruins, and petroglyphs. The view from the top was beautiful. Highly recommend a visit. read more

Thank you Michelle for giving us such a great tour. It was a wonderful, historic highlight of our trip to Mexico. We actually thought this tour (read- same price) was BETTER and longer than the Georgia O'Keeffe studio tour in Abique. PS. Do the 2 hour tour- well worth it for the value read more

Unfortunately poor signage did not allow us the tour but we were able to meander around for 30 minutes at no cost. Having been a student of architecture it astounds me that over 2,000 years ago there is such a living testament to the masonry dwellings sculpted from volcanic rock. The easy access to get here, the history and the breathtaking views are worth the glimpse into the life of the place between the earth & sky. Tours are based on weather. www.puyecliffs.com. read more

My husband and I were really looking forward to doing the adventure tour, but unfortunately the last one ended at 4pm. The website says they are open until 6pm. Bummer. read more

This was one of the highlights during our trip to Santa fe. We did the Mesa Tour which takes you to the very top and provides fantastic views where you can see for miles and miles. Our guide Simon did an awesome job. He was very knowledgable, kind and made sure we were all safe on our hike down. I would suggest you wear very comfortable clothes and sneakers as walking down to the dwellings requires you to use some large ladders. Overall, it was a lot of fun and a big thanks to Simon for being a great guide. read more

If you're doing the Santa Fe tourist rounds, this place is worth checking out. The tours aren't cheap, but they're super interesting and include great views of the nearby mountains. The tour guides are fairly knowledgeable and very friendly. Wear sneakers and bring sunscreen! read more

This was my favorite historical spot. The excavated homes were amazing and all the pottery shards - and the view from on top of the Mesa was breathtaking. And then we started down the side of the mountain- walking in the steps made by the Indians from over 1000 years ago. Trust me it was hard to go down and I was sore for 2 days - but seeing and going into the cliff dwellings was spectacular. Well worth it! read more

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We spent about three hours here on the adventure tour which takes you to the cliff dwellings as well as the village ruins at the top. The tour guide and Santa Clara pueblo member Steve was informative and interesting. We learned a lot while enjoying the views and the short but exciting climb to the top. It's great that the location is native owned. It has a feeling of respect for the history and does not seem touristy. read more

This place is just cool. It is an amazing place, with exceptional views. It is a small quaint tour. Make sure you take the time to see the museum and watch the video. Rich with history. The Tribe (Pueblo) are all friendly and love to talk about their history and culture. You'll be out in the open, a little bit of climbing, so depending on the time of the year, it may be windy and hot. read more

Directions linked from YELP as well as their own website are close but no cigar. However, once you use Google or alternate map source they can be found not much further. The $7 Harvey House includes the gift shop and interpretive center. You get a good overview of the history and can see the cliff dwellings from the base. In addition you can take two other guided tours, $20 each or $35 combined and approximately an hour each. Either one includes the Harvey House as well. One gets you closer to the cliff dwellings and the other to the top of the Mesa to see the ruins of the old Tewa dwellings. You purchase your tickets in the gift shop and if they are off providing a tour will find it locked for approximately an hour in their absence. Very beautiful views on the way to the site, worth checking out. read more

Visiting New Mexico for the first time and hoping to see some cliff dwellings, i originally planned to go to the Bandelier National Monument; however, inhibitory fees and travel limitations (shuttle to site is required in summer) combined with how many other tourist families seemed to be going there, I decided to check out nearby Puye Cliff Dwellings instead. I am SO thankful that I did! The site is smaller, but has a deeper history, I think. Also one that is entirely of Native history of the Tewa-speaking tribes, not so much white influence like at Bandelier. The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and their information felt very powerful because you could tell they have a deep connection to this land and culture. It felt more like visiting someone's ancestral home than a tourist destination; although an incredible tourist destination it was! Pottery shards and obsidian litter the trails through the site. There is so much history here. This is truly a wonder of the world; and the staff made the experience that much more incredible. Less tourist traffic, so you almost feel like you have the whole place to yourself. However, i think more tourists should come here! It is AMAZING!!! A lso very reasonably priced. The self-guided tour was only ~$5, and the longer tours with guides are also very affordable. Do bring cash! You can pay for tours with a card, but you cannot tip on the card (and believe me, you will want to tip, the staff truly goes above and beyond). Come visit and enjoy incredible Puye!!! read more

Puye Cliff Dwellings - Puye Cliff Dwellings! - Tours Near Me - Espanola, New Mexico

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We had a great tour with Alex today. Breathtaking views and interesting history. Defiantly worth visiting this hidden treasure. read more

Worth the trip! We took our 2 and 4 year olds on the self guided tour and they had a blast! They also have an adventure tour which would be great for adults! If you go, go early because they don't stay open late. read more

We drove up from Santa Fe on a Sunday morning without a reservation. Big mistake. The gentleman in charge promised us a tour that never happened (after we waited for 45 minutes), but they were kind enough to honor our request for a full refund. He also mentioned that they were very short staffed that day. My review is based on the service, not the tour, as we never got to see it. read more

The Santa Clara Pueblo is a beautiful location in Northern New Mexico. The history is rich and complex and if you have an opportunity to visit with these wonderful people one thing not to miss is the Puye Cliff Dwellings. The Santa Clara tribe operates a tour of the ruins and mesa that is great combination of activities including walking along and into the cliff side dwellings and then traveling to the top of the Mesa either by traditional ladder or modern van to see the Pueblo ruins and the Kiva which is open to visitors. The Tours are great and the young tribe members that narrate the tours are informative and friendly . Our tour guide Andrea was well versed in her heritage and able to answer our questions without missing a beat. Originally run as a Harvey House side trip called Indian Diversions in the early 1900's the tribe has done a wonderful job preparing a foot path up to the ruins. There are rest rooms and a gift shop and a informative museum located at the base of the mesa. This is an tour for all ages but it is a good idea to bring along a water bottle and additional batteries for your camera as there are many great pictures to be taken during your visit. Picnic grounds were available making this a great Place to have a meal with the incredible backdrop of the Puye Cliff Dwellings. read more

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Amazing! Of course the dwellings but The tour made it come to life. Our tour guide was very knowledgable of both the historic culture and modern culture as it is her culture/her people. I can't recommend it enough. A very special place indeed. read more

This is my favorite activity to recommend to visitors. Our tour guide was authentic and fascinating and knowledgeable. The tour was small and there was lots of great conversation. I did both of the tours and recommend it. I learned more about the Native American history and culture on this tour than on anything else I have done in the area. Loved it. read more

We spent two weeks roaming around New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. Puhe Cliff Dwelling adventure tour was definitely our favorite of all. There were only 4 of us climbing up to the mesa with Michelle, our Santa Clara tour guide. Yes it was off the beaten track, but worth seeking it out. read more

I location is really nice. The dwellings are very cool to look at. However I feel like they have a scam running here!! As you pull in from the main highway there is a sign that says pass required pointing for you to go to the gas station/welcome center to purchase one. I went in to purchase one and was told so didn't need one. There was no fees to go to the dwellings that the signs saying you need to pay for passes etc are old. She also told me to just to to the visitor center and take he dirt road to the right of it all the way up. So I did. Upon returning from coming down I did the walk up to the dwellings. I hear someone yelling saying we can't be up there! We walk back down and yells at me saying we now need to pay $20 per person because we went on our own. I told her she needs to tell her people at the welcome center that the needed to tell people the correct information. We didn't look online before going because we were just driving through. There is no information posted anywhere about tour costs etc! If I were not lied to I wouldn't be upset but it seems they are trying to slide one over on you with misinformation. read more

this review is not about puye...it's amazing. our experience was not... in fact i am writing this while on the tour. we bought tickets for the 10am dwelling tour. a tour bus came in and we were forced to join their tour of the top of the mesa. for a one hour tour. we left at 10:30. it's now 12 with no end in site of Marie wrapping it up. i asked wha the what. she said it's a big group. the tour was poorly timed, handled and explained. read more