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Tall stone structures with a setting sun shining through them. Desert landscape surrounds them.

Hovenweep National Monument

Since: 1923 Open: Sunrise to sunset Price: Free
campaign Information: Voicemail not functioning · +1 expand_more

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.

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 ↗

park Source: US National Park Service, refreshed several times a day.

Introduction

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.

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 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.

Good to know

Accessibility: one wheelchair-accessible campsite
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Price: Free

Photo: NPS/Chris Wonderly