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Tall stone structures with a setting sun shining through them. Desert landscape surrounds them.
Destinations › … › United States › Colorado

Hovenweep National Monument

warningInformation2 warnings calendar_monthApr–May, Sep–Octbest time schedule2 daysplan for child_careYeswith kids confirmation_number~$10entry
Hovenweep National MonumentYour own route Plan a trip here →
Information Hovenweep has gone cashless

The park now accepts only mobile or electronic payments for entrance & camping fees. You can reserve campsites and buy entrance passes on Recreation.gov, or only use debit/credit cards to pay in person. Details open_in_new

Information Voicemail not functioning

The voicemail for the main park phone line (970-562-4282) is not functioning reliably. People are advised to call during business hours in order to speak with a ranger.

Straight from the US National Park Service, refreshed several times a day.

Hovenweep National Monument, located in Colorado, showcases the remnants of six prehistoric villages built by ancestors of the Pueblo people between 1200 and 1300 AD. These stone structures, which have withstood centuries of weathering, offer a glimpse into a once-thriving community of around 2,500 inhabitants who abandoned the area around 1350 AD.

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Visitors come to explore the ancient architecture and the surrounding high desert landscape of the Colorado Plateau. The site became part of the National Park System in 1923, and it remains a significant cultural landmark, recognized by both the native Ute and Navaho people and modern travelers alike.

In pictures

a stone structure resting on a cliff edge
a stone structure resting on a cliff edge

Things to do

Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah
1-3 Hours · Summer

Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what...
Hike the Holly Trail
4 Hours · Spring/Summer

The Holly Trail (8 miles, roundtrip) offers the chance to explore away from roads and busier trails and stretc...
Hike the Square Tower Group Loop Trail
Winter/Spring

Explore the ancestral Pueblo world with a hike around the Square Tower Group. Follow the two-mile, primitive l...
Walk to the Square Tower Group Overlook
10-30 Minutes · Winter/Spring

Take a paved trail to this canyon overlook and see what Hovenweep has to offer! Sweeping views of sage country...

Practical

At a glance

Opened
1923
Open
Daily open 24 hours
Price
Per Person $10, Motorcycle $15, Private Vehicle $20
Accessibility
one wheelchair-accessible campsite
Address
Along the border between southeast Utah and southwest Colorado, Cortez, CO 81321
Opening hours
Daily open 24 hours
Phone
(970) 233-9167
Price
~$10
Website
www.nps.gov

Things to know

Check for ranger-led tours to access petroglyphs, as they are not available without a guide.
The Square Tower loop trail is a 2-mile hike, suitable for most visitors.
Camping is first-come, first-served at Hovenweep Campground, with fees payable in cash or check.
Bring sufficient water and snacks, as supplies are limited in the area.

Photo: NPS/Chris Wonderly