hovenweep | CO | Find park

a stone structure at night with the Milky Way arcing overhead

Hovenweep National Monument was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2014.

Claretcup Cactus is a common plant at Hovenweep National Monument

a stone structure resting on a cliff edge

Stronghole House is one of several structures at the Square Tower Group

a stone structure with blue sky and clouds overhead

The Cajon Unit is one of several outlying units at Hovenweep National Monument.

a green lizard with yellow head, yellow spots and black collar

Collard lizards are one of many species that call Hovenweep home.

remains of a stone structure with wood beams on the edge of a canyon

The Holly Group is one of Hovenweep's outlying sites, but worth the drive or hike.

Physical Address:

Along the border between southeast Utah and southwest Colorado

Just north and west of Cortez, CO

Cortez, CO 81321

Mailing Address:

McElmo Route

Cortez, CO 81321

contact-details

Phone Number: 9705624282 Voice

Email Address: hoveinfo@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20.00

Entry fee is valid for 7 days and grants entry for driver and passengers in one private vehicle. Does not cover camping costs.

Entrance - Motorcycle: $15.00

Entry fee admits one private, non-commercial motorcycle and its rider(s). Each motorcycle must purchase separate entry fee. Entry fee is valid for 7 days.

Entrance - Per Person: $10.00

Admits one individual with no car. This fee type is typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. Entry fee is valid for 7 days.

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park: $55.00

Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments.

Hovenweep preserves six prehistoric sites built between A.D. 1200 and 1300 which may have served as ceremonial centers. Explore a variety of structures, including multistory towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders. The construction and attention to detail will leave you marveling at the skill and motivation of the builders.

park designation:National Monument

Directions:

Do not use GPS to find your way. There are numerous paved and dirt roads intersecting each other in this remote corner of Utah. The Hovenweep Visitor Center is located 40-45 miles from Cortez, Colorado, and Blanding and Bluff, Utah. Follow driving directions on our webpage.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

All Park Hours

Hovenweep National Monument is typically open year-round. Park trails are open only sunrise to sunset.

Weather Information:

Hovenweep is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.