SPRUCE TREE LODGE, south of the museum, stands on the very edge of the emsa overlooking Spruce Canyon (R) and Spruce Tree Canyon (L)...
Left from the Park Headquarters on a foot trail across Spruce Tree Canyon to SPRUCE TREE HOUSE (ranger on duty), 300 yds., in view of the headquarters buildings. This house, 216 feet long and approximately 89 feet wide, one of the largest in the park, was a village in itself. An estimated population of 200 inhabited its 122 rooms; eight were kivas, and fourteen apparently weres torage rooms. The walls here, as in few cliff dwellings, were raised tot he top of the cave, which served as a roof for the higher chambers. The masonry work is exceptionally fine and well preserved; stones were smoothed and laid with great care; some of the walls were plastered with red mortar, a color also used for paintings and decorations...
From tree rings in the twenty-three roof beams found in Spruce Tree House, it has been adduced that the village was constructed between 1230 and 1274 A.D. A spruce tree found growing upon the ruin, and for which it was named, was cut down by Baron Nordenskiold and proved to be 307 years old. The ruin could not have been occupied much before the great drought began, but the stone door sills here were worn smooth by the countless feet that passed over them.
Colorado: A Guide to the Highest State, 1941
Discovered in 1888 by two ranchers searching for stray cattle, Spruce Tree House was found tucked into a 216 ft long, 89 ft deep natural cove in the cliff side. There was a large spruce tree that had grown from the floor of the house up to the top of the mesa, where they were able to climb down into the cliff dwelling.
With about 114 rooms and 8 kivas, Spruce Tree House is the 3rd largest of the discovered dwellings in Mesa Verde. It is believed that about 100 people lived here.
Estimated construction between AD 1200 and 1276 Because of the deep, protective cove, Spruce Tree deteriorated only a little over the centuries. So, less "maintanence" was needed to support the structures. (The park system strives to keep as much of the dwellings original, with exceptions for safety of visitors and workers.) Due to the fact that this dwelling is in such "good" condition, Spruce Tree House is accessible without purchasing a tour ticket.
As you step into the dwelling, you can notice different architectural styles, with some round towers, and square rooms. Some have rectangular doorways, some have a T-shape doorway, and keep your eyes open...artistically "painted" designs are still visible on some walls. There is also a kiva here on display that is reconstructed as it would have appeared while occupied. The park system has reconstructed the roof of the kiva as it would have been, and is accessed by a 6 foot ladder. Visitors are allowed to descend into the kiva, to see how they were built. (See my local customs tips for more on kivas) There are rangers on hand here to answer questions.
The trail down and back up to Spruce Tree is very steep and about 1/2 mile round trip...hope you've been doing your aerobic exercises...also, poison ivy is rampant just off the trails...stay on the path.
Spruce Tree House is self-guided March through November. During the winter you must purchase a guided tour to gain access.