Balcony House

On the fun-factor scale, Balcony House on Chapin Mesa in Mesa Verde rates at or near the top of all the sites in the park. It is not for very young children or people who cannot negotiate or would be afraid of narrow passages and tall ladders. But for those who dare, it is an excellent ruin to visit. Specifically, the ranger-guided tour descends a 100-foot metal staircase perched on the side of a cliff, climbs a 31-foot wooden ladder up to a stone ledge, crawls through an 18-inch-wide, 12-foot-long dark stone tunnel, and climbs more ladders and stone steps up a steep slope.  None of it is dangerous, but it would be difficult to accomplish holding a small child.  

The ruin is a medium-sized one that has about 40 rooms. There are the unique balcony structures (which give the ruin it's name) and some picturesque wooden structural poles, but the big feature of this one-hour tour is that it is a bit of an obstacle course and particularly good for older children. 

Note: tours are offered every half hour during the summer, and tickets must be purchased up to two days in advance from the visitor center, museum, or Morefield Ranger Station. This site is closed in the winter.