Lion Canyon Overlook Trail

Ute Mountain Tribal Park covers the southern side of Mesa Verde in southwest Colorado and is a much less visited area than the National Park, all visits being accompanied by a guide.

The Lion Canyon Overlook Trail is a short 10 minute walk along the rim of Lion Canyon to a lookout point at the junction with Johnson Canyon. The trail is on the opposite side of Lion Canyon from the four cliff dwellings that are along the Lion Canyon Trail. Just as in Mesa Verde these spectacular sites are protected by alcoves in the sandstone cliffs.

Arriving at the lookout point there is a spectacular view down the canyon to the south. There are some long benches here to sit and enjoy the view. Turning back and looking up Lion Canyon, the LaPlata Mountains sparkle, Mt. Hesperus the highest of this group. The forest on the mesa top here is Pinon Pine and Juniper, with some Douglas Fir growing in the cooler protected areas in the canyon.

Straight across the from the lookout point is the Eagle's Nest House ruin site, the last stop on the Lion Canyon Trail. The tall ladder used to access the site is visible. It took about 12 minutes to reach the lookout point and our tour group used about 35 minutes total on this trail.

In 2010, the Turning Red Tail Hawk Trail has been added, visiting the Morris 3 site. This hike continues from the Lion Canyon Overlook down below the rim and up Johnson Canyon for 1.25 miles to the rarely visited Morris 3 site.