Hovenweep protects a collection of unique prehistoric archeological sites. 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. Located along the border between Utah and Colorado, the monument is noted for its solitude and undeveloped, natural character.

Basic Information on Hovenweep National Monument

Operating Hours and Operating Seasons for Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep is open year-round. The Ranger Station is open daily from
8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., with extended hours during summer. The Ranger Station
is closed winter holidays.

How to Get to Hovenweep National Monument

Nearest Airport to Hovenweep National Monument - Commercial airlines serve Cortez, CO, Albuqurque, NM
and Salt Lake City, UT.

CAR - The only paved entrance road is Highway 262, which travels east
from Highway 191 approximately 15 miles south of Blanding.

Weather & 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.

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.

Camping at Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep Campground
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.

Activities and More Information for Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep is a great place for hiking and the study of southwest archeology. Trail systems provide access to each of the five cultural site groups.

Hiking at Hovenweep National Monument
The trail system at Hovenweep is primitive and lightly maintained. To protect cultural resources, hiking is limited to established trails only. Hiking trails are available at each of the cultural sites and walking tours are possible with self-guiding trail guides. Trails range in length from a 1/2 mile loop to an 8 mile route that connects two of the cultural 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.

Photography at Hovenweep National Monument
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. Abandoned structures 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 like a jeweled rainbow.