driest month of the year is June.
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. FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee INDIVIDUAL $3 for 7 Days
VEHICLE $6 for 7 Days
WAIVERS
Entrance fee waivers are available to groups when the purpose
of their visit is educational rather than recreational.
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. The fee is $10.00 per night. 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
|