• Architectural details from the Holly Site

    Hovenweep

    National Monument CO,UT

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  • GPS Users

    Using GPS to find your way to Hovenweep is not recommended. Since Hovenweep has 6 different units with numerous paved and dirt roads intesecting each other, GPS will send visitors to unknown locations other than to the park. Using a map is recommended.

Things To Know Before You Come

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.

Pets

Pets are allowed on trails and in the campground, but must be leashed at all times.

Services

Food, gas, lodging and similar services are not available at Hovenweep. These are available in nearby towns like Blanding, UT, Monticello, UT and Cortez, CO. Visit the San Juan County Travel Council for more information about southeast Utah, or Mesa Verde Country for information about southwest Colorado.

Cell phone coverage is sporadic. Verizon wireless offers the most reliable service. AT&T provides service in some places at Hovenweep, however it is not totally reliable.

Weather and Climate

Southeast Utah 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 through May) and fall (mid-September through 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. Late summer monsoon season brings violent storm cells which often cause flash floods. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F. Though large snowfalls are uncommon (except in nearby mountains), even small amounts of snow or ice can make local trails and roads impassable. Local weather conditions and forecasts are available from the National Weather Service.

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Did You Know?

Did You Know?

The rocks at Hovenweep were deposited over 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. The landscape at that time featured streams, lakes and flood plains. The Dakota Sandstone forms the mesa tops and cliffs in the area, while the Burro Canyon Shale forms talus slopes.