Hovenweep National Monument
Highlights
- See structures built by the Ancestral Puebloan people, who inhabited the Four Corners area from 500 BCE to 1300 CE.
- Hike through the desert to enjoy the landscape and Ancestral Puebloan structures, including square and circular towers, D-shaped dwellings and ceremonial kivas.
- Hovenweep is an internationally-certified dark sky park. Keep an eye out for ranger-led stargazing programs, and make a point to look up to soak in the stars.
Jeep tour in San Juan County
Four Corners Monument
Hovenweep National Monument
Things to Know
- Located 39 miles northeast of Bluff on US 191 and Hwy 262, there is a campground and visitor center with campfire talks and ranger-guided hikes.
- Hovenweep National Monument does not charge an entrance fee and is open year-round.
- Be sure to read about safety in the monument before your trip. Be especially mindful of the heat, intense sunlight and dry conditions in summer. Dangers include lightning, flash floods and cliffs.
- Hovenweep is in an isolated location and most services are 40 miles away. Be sure to stock up and have everything you need before heading to the monument. Be sure to tell people where you're going and when you will return.
- Don’t rely on cell phones or GPS. Be sure to bring a paper map.
- Be aware of wildlife, including black bears, rattlesnakes, scorpions and black widow spiders. Biting gnats are common in late spring and early summer.
- Respect these sites; they are artifacts and should be treated with respect and care. Do not climb on or by them, leave what you find, and don’t carve on walls or rocks.
- Dogs are allowed on trails and in the campground, as long as they are on a leash (6-foot maximum) at all times.
Recommended Hikes
- The Square Tower Group Trails offer a variety of routes, including the Square Tower Loop Trail, which is about 2 miles round-trip and goes around Little Ruin Canyon, getting close to the Square Tower group structures for a good look. Allow 1.5–2 hours for this hike.
- Hovenweep Castle is 0.82 mile round-trip hike which takes about an hour. A variety of other trails are available, and many require high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles. Be sure to ask about directions and road conditions at the visitor center beforeattempting any of these routes.
Lodging and Camping
- Camping: Hovenweep National Monument camping is available in a 31-site, first-come, first-served campground. It is designed for tents, but has a few sites that can accommodate RVs up to 36 feet long. The camping fee is $15 per night.
- Lodging: Hotel lodging options are available in the towns of Blanding and Bluff, a 40-45-mile drive from the monument.
Weather
- The weather in Hovenweep National Monument is often temperate in the spring and fall. March to late May, and September to October are popular times to visit. Be prepared for fluctuating temperatures at any time.
- Summer days can reach over 100 degrees, and flash flooding is a concern during the late summer monsoon season.
- Winters are cold, with lows down to zero. Snow and ice can make trails and roads difficult to travel or impassable.
WHAT'S NEARBY
-
Arches National Park
Arches National Park contains more than 2,000 natural arches—the greatest concentration in the country. Find places to stay, itineraries, reservation info and weather for Arches, Moab and Canyonlands National Park.
-
Bears Ears National Monument
A pair of towering buttes stand against beautiful scenery. The twin buttes are so distinctive that in each of the native languages of the region their name is the same: Hoon'Naqvut, Shash Jáa, Kwiyagatu Nukavachi, Ansh An Lashokdiwe, or in English: Bears Ears.
-
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is home to many different types of travel experiences, from sublime solitude in the more remote stretches of the park to moderate hikes through the Needles district to the opportunity to create your own version of one of the West's most photographed landforms, Mesa Arch.
-
Four Corners Area
Visit the Four Corners area of Utah and learn about each of the Four Corners states--Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. Plan your visit now!
-
Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers more than 1.2 million acres of unparalleled opportunities for land- and water-based recreation.
-
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Monument Valley, Utah, an iconic symbol of the American West, is the sacred heart of the Navajo Nation and the ideal setting for your next adventure in the warm, high desert climate of southeastern Utah.
-
Natural Bridges National Monument
As you start to descend toward Natural Bridges National Monument, the groundcover becomes more luxuriant and the trees taller. You cannot see the chaotic landscape of Natural Bridges from the highway– it is only revealed once inside the park.
Discover More
-
10 Places to Honor Women's History on Your Trip to Utah
Notable places you can visit where women have shaped history
-
A Van Lifer’s Guide to Responsible Travel in Southern Utah
When Utah’s dirt roads are calling you, it’s time to plan your van life road trip. Here’s what you need to know to travel safely, support Utah’s rural communities, and help preserve the delicate desert landscapes.
-
An Adventure Guide to Harts Draw Road
Winding up into the Abajo Mountains of southeastern Utah and down into sprawling red rock canyons, the 18-mile Harts Draw Road offers the perfect mixture of snow and sand, scenery and solitude.
-
Backpacking in Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park offers a spectrum of backpacking opportunities — from short trips at designated backcountry campsites to longer, adventurous trips that require extensive planning and desert canyon navigational knowledge.
-
Be Prepared for the Southern Utah Backcountry
Prepare for a trip out into Utah's rugged red rock backcountry by learning as much as possible about the area before heading out. Stop by a ranger station to educate yourself and pick up necessary permits. Always practice good backcountry ethics and proper safety techniques for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
-
Chasing John Wesley Powell: Six Places to Explore Utah's Green and Colorado Rivers
One hundred and fifty years ago a one-armed Civil War veteran set off with nine mountain men on a scientific expedition to map one of the last blank spaces left on the U.S. map: The Green and Colorado rivers. Much of the river remains wild today. Follow Powell's journey here.
-
Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
-
Exploring Mule Canyon: House on Fire and Cave Tower
Driving the up the dusty, terracotta-colored road toward Mule Canyon in Cedar Mesa, you get a sense that this is a special place, though you might not be able to put a finger on why.
-
Finding Strength and Inspiration Deep in the Utah Desert
How a series of hiking and camping trips in Utah’s parks and wilderness put Elisabeth Brentano on a transformative journey from urbanite to nature lover.
-
HBO's Westworld. See it now, in Utah.
Where is Westworld filmed? Much of Castle Valley is actually located in Utah. Learn more about the setting of your favorite television series.
-
Historical Sites in Utah
Explore Utah's fascinating past with our guide to historical sites and hidden gems. Uncover pioneer and indigenous stories at these Utah heritage hot spots.
-
Insider's Guide to Hiking Rainbow Bridge National Monument
From choosing the best season and trail, to understanding logistics and history, here's what you need to know to hike Utah's Rainbow Bridge National Monument located off the south coast of Lake Powell.
-
Movies Filmed in Utah: Plotting a Cinematic Drive-Through
Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography.
-
Navajo: Fry Bread, Tacos, Pizza
Despite its troubling origins, Navajo fry bread is an inspired food of the nation’s people, and it can be found in many forms with various names around the southwest.
-
The Art of Supporting Utah Artists
Here’s a look at six local artists whose work draws upon Utah’s diverse environments as inspiration.
-
The Freedom of Wild Places
Clutching my hat with both hands, the wind roared and whipped by as I stood atop a rugged red rock formation, gazing out into the vastness of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park.
-
The History of River House (and How to Experience It Today)
Looking for items to add to your Bears Ears Monument itinerary? Explore the history of the River House Ruin site here and see it for yourself. Visit Utah.
-
The Navajo Basketmakers
Meet the Navajo artists behind this labor intensive and traditional practice.
-
The Voices of Bears Ears
Bears Ears National Monument is at the heart of southeastern Utah. These lands are imbued with layers of culture — layers of life. In this four-part video series, meet the locals who connect with the land in their own distinct ways.
-
The World's First Dark Sky Park
On March 6, 2007, Natural Bridges National Monument became the first International Dark Sky Park certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. More than 100,000 people visit Natural Bridges each year to check out the stunning bridges and hike in cool canyons, but only a handful of them stay through the night to see the area’s most amazing and unique feature: dark skies and glistening, bright stars.
-
Utah’s Unexpected Pit Stops
You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? Here are 11 mini-adventures to check off your list next time you’re road-tripping through Utah.
-
Valley of the Gods Bed & Breakfast
The Valley of the Gods B&B is a gem for travelers looking for a convenient, comfortable place to spend the night in Bears Ears.
-
Walking The Line Between Risk and Responsibility
Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah — yet.
-
Why a Visit to the Blanding Dinosaur Museum is a Must
The Blanding Dinosaur Museum, off U.S. 191 in Southeastern Utah, is a hidden gem: The artifact collection here includes bones, dinosaur eggs, and even fossilized skin! The museum also has three wonderfully preserved petrified trees and unique movie memorabilia.
-
You're Inspired to Go Off the Beaten Path. Now What?
Here’s how to navigate Utah's backcountry safely.
