Hovenweep National Monument

I've wanted to visit this place for a long time, and when I finally got there it exceeded all my expectations. What I expected was some interesting ruins in a remote area. What I saw was the footprint of a beautiful and efficient community. The ruins are laid out around the head of a small canyon to provide access to reliable water, cultivated gardens, food storage areas, defensible positions, and even beautiful views. The buildings are skillfully and durably crafted in a variety of shapes - round, rectangular, D-shaped and various combinations. The staff at the visitors center was helpful and friendly. It takes some time to get there from any direction, but the roads are good.

⭐ Hovenweep National Monument — A Timeless Desert Kingdom ⭐ ★★★★★ Hovenweep National Monument is one of the most breathtaking and underrated ancestral sites in the American Southwest. If you're looking for a destination that blends ancient history, desert beauty, and true solitude, this is the place. The moment you arrive, the landscape feels sacred — a quiet, powerful reminder of the ancestral Puebloan people who built these incredible stone towers hundreds of years ago. The trails are easy to moderate, winding through a dramatic mesa filled with canyons, slickrock, and some of the most photogenic views you’ll ever see. Every tower, dwelling, and ruin stands proudly against the endless sky, glowing gold at sunrise and fiery red at sunset. It’s a dream location for photographers, hikers, and anyone fascinated by Indigenous history and the mysteries of the ancient Southwest. Hovenweep offers wide-open spaces, star-filled skies, and a peaceful campground that makes overnight stays magical. Whether you're visiting by RV or car, the experience is immersive and unforgettable.

Took so doing to get there but was worth the drive. Very few people. Nice hike around the canyon. Up close views of the ruins. Amazing they still stand after several thousand years. Rangers were very nice as well.

This was a FABULOUS hike. Wore me out but well worth it. Spectacular sights all the way around. Crossing it canyon was an adventure too. I love everything about this place. The air conditioned visitor center felt so good after an hour and a half in the hot sun.

Great little hiking loop around the upper end of the canyon with some close and not-so-close views of architecturally unique towers and dwellings. While we did enjoy coming out here at least once, we felt more impressed by Chimney Rock and Aztec Ruins as they felt far more interactive and personal.

Out in the middle of nowhere land. BUT, such amazing examples of the talents of the ancient ones in building housing and water gathering. Rugged and hostile in the summer. Cold and difficult in the winter. Walking tour around the perimeter approximately 2 miles. Well worth the effort. Absolutely an amazing place!

We visited here in mid-May 2024, so it wasn’t too crowded. We had made reservations in the campground, and it was a good thing we did, as it was pretty full. Site #28 was perfect for our camper-van. The campground features a clean, well-stocked restroom with cold water and flush toilets. It was a pleasant 78° when we arrive in the afternoon, but the wind picked up and the temperature dropped as evening approached. We hiked counter-clockwise on the moderate, 1.8 mile trail that loops around and through Little Ruin Canyon, where all of the Ancestral Puebloan ruins are located, taking us about 1-1/2 hours. The section of the trail through the canyon on the southeast drops down and goes back up about 100’ and is rugged in a few spots. There are excellent views along the trail of the historic structures. Due to staffing shortages, the visitor center was closed; however, there are some informative displays on the outside walls and the restroom was open. Highly recommended!

This place is amazing. I hiked into Painted Hand Pueblo and Cutthroat pueblo. Absolutely breathtaking. I was able to take some amazing photos and it was so quiet and peaceful. There were no crowds. I saw six other people combined at both places and there were only a dozen or so people at the Visitors Center, including park employees, while I was there. This is a must see for anyone interested in the Ancestral Puebloan peoples... Or even if they are not.

If you like Mesa Verde, you'll love Hovenweep. Located on the Utah side of 4 corners, this compact stone powerhouse offers a 2-mile hike where you can get up and close to a variety of stone ruins that are accessible and awe inspiring. We stayed at the Mountain Ute Casino/hotel and it was a 75 mile round trip. Try to get there early in the morning to beat the heat and bring water.

Signage only exists coming from the west. If you are coming from the east (most likely after visiting Canyon of the Ancients) be sure to check signs in the opposite direction or you might pass a needed turn and have to double back to get here. It's a pretty long drive from anywhere so be sure you are actually interested in seeing what is here - and have a couple of hours to walk around to get the most out of coming. The visitors center is closed.

The Visitor's Center was closed when we got here but one can still take the self-guided tour. What a magical place! We walked around as much of it as we could before it started raining. It's a bit over an hour away from Mesa Verde. Not a bad drive at all and lovely countryside n the late spring. Many desert flowers blooming.