Hovenweep National Monument Custom Search Hovenweep National Monument protects five prehistoric, Puebloan-era villages spread over a twenty-mile expanse of mesa tops and canyons along the Utah-Colorado border. The multi-story towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders lead visitors to marvel at the skill and motivation of their builders. Hovenweep is noted for its solitude and undeveloped, natural character. The Square Tower Group is the primary contact facility with a visitor center, campground and interpretive trail. Outlying groups include Holly, Horseshoe, Hackberry, Cutthroat Castle and Cajon. Land surrounding Hovenweep belongs to the Navajo Nation, Bureau of Land Management, State of Utah and private landowners.     CONTACTS Email - hoveinfo@nps.gov Write to McElmo Route Cortez, CO 81321 Phone Visitor Information - (970)562-4282 Headquarters - (435)719-2100 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Hovenweep is open year-round. The visitor center is open daily from 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., with extended hours during summer. The visitor center is closed winter holidays. Hiking trails are open during daylight hours. Getting There PLANE - Commercial airlines serve Cortez and Grand Junction, CO, Salt Lake City and Moab, UT, and Albuquerque, NM as well as other cities in the Four Corners area. CAR - The road to the Visitor Center and Square Tower Group is paved from Cortez, Colorado, on County Road G (the McElmo Canyon Road), and from White Mesa (south of Blanding) on Highway 262. The road from Highway 666 (near Pleasant View) is dirt and may be impassable after storms. This road accesses most of the outlying units in Colorado. All roads into the outlying units are dirt and are not maintained regularly. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for visiting these sites. BUS - Commercial bus and van shuttles service nearby towns, but not Hovenweep specifically. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to Hovenweep. 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 visitor center and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The Square Tower Group trail is paved to the first overlook and may be negotiated by wheelchairs with assistance. All other trails are uneven and primitive. Getting Around Some hiking is required to see the features of Hovenweep. Travel to the outlying units from the Square Tower Group is by foot, bike or vehicle. CAMPING Hovenweep Campground Open All Year There is a small campground near the visitor center which is open year round 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. Sites include tend pads, fire grills and picnic tables with shade structures. Flush toilets and running water are available. LODGING Sorry. There is no lodging at Hovenweep. See the 'LINKS' section for travel-related information. FACILITIES Visitor Centers HOVENWEEP Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone - (970)562-4282 Location - Hovenweep National Monument is located along the border between southeast Utah and southwest Colorado, just north and west of Cortez, Colorado. Paved roads lead from both Cortez, Colorado and Blanding, Utah. Some roads in the area remain very rough and may be impassable in stormy weather. Closures - Closed December 25th. Special Programs - Special interpretive programs can be arranged by calling the visitor center. Exhibits - The visitor center contains exhibits and educational information for visitors. There is a small sales area with books specializing on the cultural and natural history of the area. Available Facilities - Restrooms, picnic tables, drinking water   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Hovenweep National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Hovenweep National Monument: Lazy G Campground, Cortez, 8 miles away Ute Mountain Casino, Towaoc, 9 miles away Mesa Oasis Campground, Cortez, 9 miles away Williams RV Park, Cortez, 10 miles away Sundance RV Park, Cortez, 11 miles away McPhee Recreation Complex - Rio Grande National Forest, Monte Vista, 13 miles away Mc Phee Mobile Home and RV Park, Dolores, 13 miles away   Hotels Near Hovenweep National Monument: White Eagle Inn, Cortez , 9 miles away Cortez Inn, Cortez , 10 miles away National 9 Inn Sand Canyon, Cortez , 10 miles away Super 8 Cortez/Mesa Verde Area, Cortez , 11 miles away Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites, Cortez , 11 miles away Rodeway Inn Cortez, Cortez , 12 miles away Econo Lodge Cortez, Cortez , 12 miles away   Trails Near Hovenweep National Monument: Trail Cross Trail, Montezuma County , 12 miles away Ute Springs Trail, Montezuma County , 14 miles away Pinyon Pack Trail, Montezuma County , 14 miles away Ute Trail, Montezuma County , 16 miles away McPhee Stock Trail, Montezuma County , 17 miles away   Ski Areas Near Hovenweep National Monument: Hesperus Ski Center, Colorado , 47 miles away, 700 foot drop, 2 lifts, 5 runs Purgatory, Colorado , 66 miles away, 2029 foot drop, 11 lifts, 85 runs Telluride, Colorado , 69 miles away, 3845 foot drop, 18 lifts, 115 runs Silverton, Colorado , 78 miles away, 3200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 79 miles away, 400 foot drop, 1 lifts, 3 runs   Whitewater Near Hovenweep National Monument: Dolores River, Montezuma.Dolores County , 17 miles away, Class II-III - 19 miles long (McPhee Reservoir to Dove Creek Pump Station) Dolores River, Dolores / Montrose / San Miguel County , 25 miles away, Class II-III+(IV) - 28 miles long (Dove Creek Pump Station to Slickrock)   Public Lands Near Hovenweep National Monument: Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde National Park - CO , 22 miles away Yucca House National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park - CO , 22 miles away Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec - NM , 59 miles away Mancos State Park, Colorado , 33 miles away   Golf Courses Near Hovenweep National Monument: South Forty Golf Course, Cortez , 11 miles away Conquistador Golf Course, Cortez , 13 miles away   Lakes Near Hovenweep National Monument Totten Lake, Montezuma County , 14 miles away