Entrance Fee
$20.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Hovenweep Visitor Center: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
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About the Park
Hovenweep preserves six prehistoric sites built between 1200 and 1300 CE which may have served as ceremonial centers. Explore a variety of structures, including multistory towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders. The construction and attention to detail will leave you marveling at the skill and motivation of the builders.
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What to See & Do
Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah
Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. Even when formal programs are not offered, people are welcome to enjoy the parks after dark on their own.
Hike the Holly Trail
The Holly Trail (8 miles, roundtrip) offers the chance to explore away from roads and busier trails and stretch your legs with a longer hike. Gain new perspective as you traverse a canyon floor, squeeze through slot canyons, and take the long way around. At the end, your reward is reaching the towering remains and petroglyphs at the Holly Group.
Hike the Square Tower Group Loop Trail
Explore the ancestral Pueblo world with a hike around the Square Tower Group. Follow the two-mile, primitive loop trail along the canyon rim to see the famous Square Tower, Hovenweep Castle, and eight other standing structures. A trail guide offers insight into the ancestral Puebloan lifestyle. Just steps from your vehicle, you can enjoy sweeping vistas and ancient dwellings.
Walk to the Square Tower Group Overlook
Take a paved trail to this canyon overlook and see what Hovenweep has to offer! Sweeping views of sage country and ancestral Puebloan structures are just yards away from the visitor center. This trail is perfect for any season or time of day and for anyone hoping to get a good view of Hovenweep without much time or distance.
Self-Guided Tours
Hovenweep in a Hurry
Most of our visitors only stay in the park for an hour or two. If you’re one of them, this tour is for you! Hovenweep in a Hurry is a guided hike to Hovenweep Castle via Tower Point, 1.5 miles roundtrip and all on the canyon rim. Bring water and wear walking shoes and sun protection. As you go, this tour will give you a brief overview of the ancestral Puebloan people who called this canyon home. At the end of the tour, simply retrace your steps back along the trail to the visitor center.
Visitor Centers
Hovenweep Visitor Center
You can visit Hovenweep even when the visitor center is closed. When it is open, rangers or volunteers can answer questions and sell bookstore items. Restrooms and exterior exhibits are available 24/7.
Where to Stay
Hovenweep Campground
A 31-site campground near the visitor center is open year-round and fully reservable through Recreation.gov. The campground is designed for tent camping, though a few sites will accommodate RVs up to 36 feet long. Groups are limited to eight people and two vehicles. Sites include tent pads, fire rings and picnic tables with shade structures; there are no hookups available. One campsite is wheelchair-accessible but is not designed for tent camping.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
The Hovenweep Visitor Center is located 40-45 miles from Cortez, CO, and Blanding and Bluff, UT. If you use a GPS or a navigation app on your phone, make sure that you have set your destination to the Hovenweep National Monument Visitor Center, and that your route matches the directions on our website. Alternate routes to the visitor center, and any road to our remote, outlying units, can be very rough.
Park Amenities
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$20.00Entry fee is valid for 7 days and grants entry for driver and passengers in one private vehicle. Does not cover camping costs.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$15.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$10.00Admits one individual with no car. This fee type is typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. Entry fee is valid for 7 days.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments. U.S. residents only.
Operating Hours
All Park Hours
Hovenweep National Monument is typically open year-round. Park trails are open only sunrise to sunset.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
a stone structure resting on a cliff edge
a stone structure at night with the Milky Way arcing overhead
a stone structure with blue sky and clouds overhead
remains of a stone structure with wood beams on the edge of a canyon
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Location
Along the border between southeast Utah and southwest Colorado
Cortez, CO 81321
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Hovenweep National Monument
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