Hovenweep
National Monument

Hovenweep National Monument protects some of the finest examples of ancient stone architecture in the southwest. The inhabitants of Hovenweep were part of the large farming culture which occupied the Four Corners region of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona from about 500 B.C. until nearly A.D. 1300. These peoples also constructed the cliff dwellings in nearby Mesa Verde National Park. The monument is noted for its solitude, clear skies and undeveloped, natural character. The page below contains essential trip planning information. To learn more about the archeology of Hovenweep, visit the Expanded Web Pages.

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Trip Planning Information

Location Hovenweep National Monument is located in southeastern Utah, just north and west of Cortez, Colorado. Paved roads lead from both Cortez, Colorado and Blanding, Utah. Some roads in the area remain very rough and may be impassable in stormy weather. From Cortez, Colorado: Travel on US Highway 160 south 4 miles, then head west on County Road "G" (airport roadway) 41 miles (one hour travel time). From Blanding or Bluff, Utah: Turn east off of US Highway 191 on Utah State 262 to the Hatch Trading Post. Follow the Hovenweep signs 16 additional miles (one hour travel time). Operating Hours Hovenweep is open year-round. The Ranger Station is open from 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., seven days a week. The Ranger Station is closed winter holidays. Entrance Fees $6.00 per passenger vehicle or $3.00 per person. Commercial fees are collected. Please call for more information. Travel Information No commercial transportation is available. Most visitors arrive by private vehicle. Visitors are advised to call for road conditions during winter and stormy weather. Utah travel information is available from the Utah Travel Council. Services and Supplies There are no services at Hovenweep. Information on restaurants, lodging and other visitor needs is available from the Mesa Verde Country Web Site. Gasoline and limited grocery items are available in most of the towns near Hovenweep. Facilities and Activities Ranger Station: The ranger station contains limited exhibits and educational information for visitors. There is a bookstore specializing in materials on the culture and natural history of the area. A video is available for those not able to take the walking tour of the sites. Picnic tables are available at the Ranger Station Area. Due to the high cost of garbage removal, visitors are required to pack out their own garbage. Trails: Hiking trails are available at each of the cultural sites and walking tours are possible with self-guiding trail guides. Special tours are also lead by the park staff (inquire at the ranger station). The trail system at Hovenweep is primitive and lightly maintained. Trails range in length from a 1/2 mile loop to an 8 mile route that connects two of the site groups.Two trails originate at the Ranger station and offer visitors the opportunity to view nearby archeological sites: one is a two mile trail that takes about 1.5 hours and has an elevation change of 150 feet; the second trail is shorter and easier. Contact the monument or ask at the ranger station for more information. Hiking is limited to established trails only Photography: Hovenweep is a paradise for photographers. The rich colors of the sandstone glow in the crisp sunlight against a sky so blue it seems almost unreal. The buildings cling to the canyon rims, offering themselves for close-ups or cross-canyon shots that will reward even the most amateur picture-taker. And the night sky at Hovenweep is a treasure all its own, with air so clear and free of light-pollution that the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon in a jeweled rainbow, a spectacle seen only at a few select places on the planet. Camping: There is a small campground near the ranger station which is open seasonally on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are designed for tent camping, though a few sites will accommodate RV's 25 feet or less in length. The fee is $10.00 per night. Flush toilets and running water are available. Accessibility: The Ranger Station and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Trails are uneven and primitive. Some trails can be negotiated with assistance and rough terrain chairs. Basic Visit Recommendations Spring and fall are the most ideal seasons to visit. Plan at least 1 or 2 hours to visit the Ranger Station and Square Tower Group area trails and archeological sites. Address Superintendent Hovenweep National Monument McElmo Route Cortez, CO 81321 (US Mail) For package delivery use: Hovenweep Road-San Juan County Road 212 Montezuma Creek, Utah 84534 Telephone (970) 749-0510 (Cellular) (435) 459-4344 (within Utah) Email NABR_superintendent@nps.gov Size Hovenweep consists of 785 acres. Visitation Annual visitation is 28,000. Climate Summer highs may exceed 100 Degrees Fahrenheit, with lows in the 60's. Fall and Spring temperatures are milder, with highs in the 70's and 80's. Winter temperatures range from highs in the 40's and 50's to lows well below freezing. Snow is usually light to moderate. Biting Pinon Gnats are common in late May. Visitor Impacts archeological sites are extremely fragile. Climbing on walls, removing artifacts, and similar activities are prohibited. Hovenweep also contains large areas with cryptobiotic soils, which are easily damaged. Hiking is limited to established trails only. Overnight camping is permitted only in the designated campground. Mountain bikes must remain on roads. Nearby Attractions Mesa Verde National Park is located 75 miles east of Hovenweep. This World Heritage Site contains a large number of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and other interesting archeological sites. A popular museum is also located at Mesa Verde. The Anasazi Heritage Center is located near Dolores, Colorado. This site offers an extensive collection of archeological materials and exhibits which focus on the history of Montezuma Valley. The Edge of the Cedars Museum is located 40 miles west of Hovenweep in Blanding, Utah. This museum offers many exhibits and an excavated archeological site. Natural Bridges National Monument is located 80 miles west of Hovenweep on the road between Blanding and Lake Powell (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area). Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are located about two hours northwest of the monument and offer visitors a wide variety of canyon country experiences. Telluride, Colorado is a historic mining town that has become well known for its spectacular mountain scenery, excellent skiing and summer music and art festivals. Author: Neal Herbert Last Updated: August 13, 1999 http://www.nps.gov/hove/index.htm