Spruce Tree House

— Mesa Verde National Park preserves how the Ancestral Pueblo people lived from AD 600 to 1300. The park has more than 600 cliff dwellings in an amazing state of preservation. Spruce Tree House is the third largest dwelling in the park (the first two are Cliff Palace and Long House).

Spruce Tree House contained 130 rooms and 8 kivas (ceremonial chambers). The alcove where the house was built measures 216 ft (66 m) and is 89 ft (27 m) deep. It is believed that this dwelling was home to 60 to 80 people. At the time it was discovered in 1888, there was a large Douglas Spruce growing in front of the dwelling reaching the top of the mesa. That was the means used by the explorers to first get to the dwelling. Unfortunately, that tree was later cut down by another explorer.

As of the time of this posting, the National Park Service informs that Spruce Tree House is closed due to safety concerns. A geotechnical assessment is being conducted related to rock falls.