Spruce Tree House - Archaeological site in Mesa Verde National Park - , USA

Make sure you thoroughly research any national parks you're going to before taking to Google maps to post negative reviews because you can't bother to see on the NPS website that this location has been closed indefinitely for 7 years due to safety concerns. Even from a distance, this is still pretty spectacular to see. There's a pretty great overlook just behind the museum and offices - it's a little steep, but it is paved, and only a few hundred feet from the road. We were hiking the Petroglyph Point Trail and thought maybe there'd be a better vantage point down in the canyon, but (at least in July) the trees are almost too dense to see anything especially well.

Do the guided tour! You get to walk down to the ruins, and hear so much of the story of the lives of the people who lived there. So much knowledge, and facts you don't get on your own. The bus takes you there and back, and it's worth a day or half day of exploring!!

Spruce Tree house is a great stop right behind the museum. Can look from a distance, but can no longer get close to the building due to safety reasons. Worth stopping and looking if you’re already at the museum. Just remember to go behind the museum to see it.

I enjoyed watch a sudden thunderstorm over the Spruce Tree House, there were two instant waterfalls next to the Spruce Tree House and right over it. You instantly realized why the ancient natives selected this place for dwelling, maybe easy access to rain falls and water collection? I even caught a lightning on my video, it was awesome! Cheers!

Closed until 2019 due to efforts to the NPS's efforts to stabilize and protect this treasure, but it was open when I last went and it was wonderful, and had the added bonus of being the largest major ruin you could visit on a self-guided tour. Currently, there is a good view of the ruins you can access. Don't miss it.

Amazing structure you can see only from distance. In 2006 we were able to go down there

Must buy a tour ticket to see it up-close-and-personal but you can still view it from the lookouts and also from a telescope that they have for free.

You can no longer visit Spruce Tree House because of risk of falling rocks. Excellent vantage point on porch of Ranger Offices. Vehicle parking is adequate, bus parking is limited. Well maintained park buildings, clean toilets. Gift shop has limited hours and was closed when I was there. (Wednesday, mid-day, high season) Small museum which looks to be under renovation. Auditorium has 15 minute video on continuous loop about modern Native Peoples relationship to site.