About Hovenweep National Monument
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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Hovenweep is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Colorado, Utah. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
Entry fee is valid for 7 days and grants entry for driver and passengers in one private vehicle. Does not cover camping costs.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Admits 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.
Operating Hours
Hovenweep National Monument is typically open year-round. Park trails are open only sunrise to sunset.
Activities
Current Alerts
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.
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.
Getting There
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Entrance Passes
Valid 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.
Topics & Themes
Things To 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…
Hike the Holly Trail
The Holly Trail (8 miles, roundtrip) offers the chance to explore away from roads and busier trails and stretch your…
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…
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…
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.…
Campgrounds
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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