Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Soda Canyon Overlook Trail

Easy Easy
 3.3 (6)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Southwest Rockies
  4. Mesa Verde National Park
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A smooth dirt path along the mesa top, ending in impressive views of Soda Canyon and Balcony House. ”

Hunter R
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

0.7

Miles

1.1

KM

Point to Point

6,852' 2,088 m

High

6,811' 2,076 m

Low

32' 10 m

Up

63' 19 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Family Friendly Flat terrain, a manageable length, and gorgeous views of ancient cliff dwelling make this trail a wonderful option for families with children.

Description

The Soda Canyon Overlook Trail provides visitors with beautiful scenery of many forms. Starting at the trailhead off Mesa Top Ruins Rd., the trail remains flat, traveling near the canyon rim through stands of vibrant gamble oak and Utah juniper before reaching a series of canyon overlooks.

Gaze out from multiple overlooks at the surrounding terrain, and keep your eyes peeled for the Balcony House cliff dwelling located to the southwest.

This trail does not offer much shade, so it's imperative for visitors to bring plenty of sunscreen and water, especially during the hot summer months.

Flora & Fauna

Utah juniper, gambel oak, yucca, and sagebrush are abundant along the trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Mesa Verde National Park

Shared By:

Hunter R
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 6 votes

#11

in Mesa Verde National Park

#25474

Overall
  3.3 from 6 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
33%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#11

in Mesa Verde National Park

#2,047

in Colorado

#25,474

Overall
2 Views Last Month
469 Since Jun 8, 2016
Easy Easy
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Soda Canyon
Oct 1, 2015 near Towaoc, CO
View of Balcony House from the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail.
Apr 15, 2016 near Towaoc, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 77 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 28, 2025
Bryanna McFarland
Jul 30, 2025
Connor White
If you want to see more to the park than ruins, then this is a great trail for you! You have three amazing viewpoints of the canyon and cuesta. 1.4mi — 0h 41m
Jul 17, 2023
Karen Blake
Sep 21, 2020
Gosia Lieske
1.3mi — 0h 30m
Sep 17, 2020
Jamie James
Aug 23, 2020
Chris Darwin
Jun 30, 2020
Rosemary Watson
Jun 28, 2020
Heather Lynn

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started