The Park Service opened Square Tower on 1 September 2011 to limited visits of 10 people a day, three days a week, for six weeks, after being closed to the public for 75 years. We were in the first group to visit the site. After this limited opportunity, it will once again be closed to the public. It was an exceptional opportunity, and a trip we'll remember forever... Looking east from the tower toward the "eagle's nest", high on the canyon wall. A panoramic view of a kiva - this is the only remaining kiva in Mesa Verde with a roof, now covering only half of the kiva, but providing insights as to how the people built the ceiling. Getting to the "eagle's nest" was a challenge. Part of the structure has collapsed. The theory is that it was used as a look out room to detect danger and alert residents. This is the inside of a kiva. The hole on the right provides fresh air, which is diverted around the room by the small rock wall facing it. A fire pit is located to the left of the diverter wall, and at far left (not visible) is a "sipapu" hole, providing access to the underworld spirits from which the Anasazi trace their history. This is the air entrance for the kiva. Note that it's perfectly finished inside. Click here for more photos of the site.