The Fire Temple & New Fire House View at Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado is a roadside view that features ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings from 1200 - 1300 CE, including the Fire Temple which was used as a communal and ceremonial space.
This is not a hike but rather just a few steps from the parking turnout to reach the viewpoint for the Fire Temple an New Fire House cliff dwellings. These dwellings were built by ancient Puebloans around 1200 - 1300 CE and can be found nestled in the opposing cliff's alcoves. Fire Temple, according to the signage, is thought of as an ancient plaza where domestic activities occurred like ceremonies and dancing. Unlike roofed kivas, plazas were much more public and thus hosting ceremonies in plazas like this might have attracted other communities from greater distances.
Parking
Visitors will find a parking lot at the coordinates provided along Mesa Top Loop Road in the park. As of June 2024, the lot is large enough to fit approximately a dozen vehicles.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on this trail and must be cleaned and cleaned up after. Dogs are allowed on paved trails including the Park Point Trail and the Mesa Top Loop Sites including: The Navajo Canyon Overlook, Square Tower House Overlook Trail, Pithouses & Pueblos Loop, Mesa Top Sites Trail, Sun Point Pueblo, Sun Point View, Oak Tree House View, Fire Temple & New Fire House View, and the Sun Temple & Cliff Palace View.
Warning
Steep cliffs: This trail leads out to tall and steep cliffs.
This is not a hike but rather just a few steps from the parking turnout to reach the viewpoint for the Fire Temple an New Fire House cliff dwellings. These dwellings were built by ancient Puebloans around 1200 - 1300 CE and can be found nestled in the opposing cliff's alcoves. Fire Temple, according to the signage, is thought of as an ancient plaza where domestic activities occurred like ceremonies and dancing. Unlike roofed kivas, plazas were much more public and thus hosting ceremonies in plazas like this might have attracted other communities from greater distances.
Parking
Visitors will find a parking lot at the coordinates provided along Mesa Top Loop Road in the park. As of June 2024, the lot is large enough to fit approximately a dozen vehicles.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on this trail and must be cleaned and cleaned up after. Dogs are allowed on paved trails including the Park Point Trail and the Mesa Top Loop Sites including: The Navajo Canyon Overlook, Square Tower House Overlook Trail, Pithouses & Pueblos Loop, Mesa Top Sites Trail, Sun Point Pueblo, Sun Point View, Oak Tree House View, Fire Temple & New Fire House View, and the Sun Temple & Cliff Palace View.
Warning
Steep cliffs: This trail leads out to tall and steep cliffs.
