The whole state of Colorado is steeped with history– dinosaur bones practically paving its rocky landscape. And Colorado Springs is no exception; go anywhere and you’re likely to trip over historical monuments paying tribute to rich and fascinating pasts. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are one such place you can visit during your stay, just five miles west of Cheyenne Mountain Resort.
Preserved under a protective, red sandstone overhang, Puebloan cliff dwellings dating back more than 800 years await the curious visitor in Manitou Springs. With permission to go inside and touch the ancient dwellings, visitors can interact with history and explore the site room by room on a self-guided tour. Mesa Verde, Colorado was the original site of the dwellings, but that area was deemed unsafe from looters at the time and so the dwellings were moved and reassembled in Manitou Springs. Builders used concrete rather than adobe to ensure the dwelling’s lasting structural integrity and visitors’ safety.
Today, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings overlooks the quaint village of Manitou Springs at the foot of Pikes Peak. Visitors are encouraged to take their time as they explore the preserve and consider what it may have been like when the public was first invited to the site back in 1907, not to mention when the Puebloan people themselves called the sandstone rooms home.
Below the cliff dwellings is a three-story Pueblo-style building that houses the museum and gift shop. Make sure you stop in to ask the knowledgeable staff any questions and to find books about the site’s migration. The historic site is open to the public seven days a week, with hours varying by month. You can check the website for detailed directions, hours, and admission information, or ask our concierge when you book your stay at Cheyenne Mountain Resort.
