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Archaeological site · Cortez, Colorado
Hovenweep National Monument
Six villages of the ancestral Pueblo peoples with stone towers on canyon rims, on the Colorado–Utah border, about 70 km from Cortez.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep National Monument protects six villages of the ancestral Pueblo peoples, built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the rims and floors of small canyons along the Colorado–Utah border. The name comes from the Ute language and means desert valley.
The most visited group is the Square Tower Group, next to the visitor center on the Utah side. A roughly 3 km trail loops around Little Ruin Canyon and passes square, round, and D-shaped towers, like Hovenweep Castle and the Square Tower, built on rocks and along cliff edges. The function of the towers is still debated: storage, observatories, or defensive structures.
The site is remote and quiet, with little infrastructure beyond the visitor center and a campground.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours.
Best time
In spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild. In summer, go early in the morning because the trails have no shade.
How to get there
By car, about 70 km west of Cortez on paved rural roads; the visitor center is on the Utah side.
Tip
Bring water and food: there are no services nearby. The dirt roads to the other villages require a high-clearance vehicle.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hovenweep National Monument
Where is Hovenweep?
On the Colorado–Utah border, about 70 km west of Cortez; the visitor center is on the Utah side.
Which trail to do in Hovenweep?
Little Ruin Canyon, about 3 km, which passes the towers of the Square Tower Group.
Do you need a guide in Hovenweep?
No. The trails are self-guided, with signs and brochures from the visitor center.