Hovenweep National Monument

Site Overview

Hovenweep, managed by the National Park Service, is located along both sides of the state line between southeast Utah and southwest Colorado. There is a year-round visitors center with campground located at the Square Tower Group ruin. The NPS day use fee is good for seven days and costs $3 per person. In the visitors center you will find information on and directions to the "outlying" ruins associated with the monument.

Getting There

If you are coming from Blanding, head south on Hwy 191 to it's intersection with 262. Turn left onto 262 and follow the signs.

What You Can See

Hovenweep consists of six small groups of ruins, four in Colorado and two in Utah. The Square Tower Ruin trail leaves the visitors center and takes about an hour to walk, taking you past Hovenweep Castle, Hovenweep House, Square Tower, Talus Pueblo, irrigation features, and other archaeological elements.

Tips for Your Visit

The road to the Visitor Center is paved up to the main entrance. The outlying groups are located on dirt roads, not regularly maintained. The Park Service recommends you use a high clearance vehicle to visit these. The visitor center has restrooms, a vending machine that sells bottled water, and maps and books on the region for sale. The rangers staffing the center are there to answer any questions you might have regarding the history of Hovenweep, or the region in general. For more information on visiting archaeological sites in the southwest, see our Visitor Tips Page.