Mesa Verde

Quick trip through.
The permit system sucks.

I took my kids there about 8 years ago and stayed for 3 or 4 days. That is an awesome place. I don't remember a permit system, but it may have changed or has just gotten a lot more crowded

Permits are required for some ruins.
They all are guided ranger tours.
These permits must be purchased just as you enter the park.
Once inside, there is no option to buy permits, you must go back to the entry.

Mesa Verde is a cool place, however I can't stand the Disneyland ranger guided permit required hand holding, but I really don't see any alternative. I try to stick to the more wild places.

Completely agree on the ranger handholding.
We were out to Oklahoma a couple weeks ago and spent 3 days, windind back through Southern Colorado.

Also had to stop at Great Sand Dunes NP