Holly Tower

Holly Tower sits at the head of the canyon, similar to Square Tower in the Square Tower Group.

NPS photo // Alexis Albrecht

Quick Facts

Location:

Holly Unit

Significance:

ancestral Puebloan structure

Amenities

1 listed

Scenic View/Photo Spot

Holly Tower is part of the Holly Unit, located in Keeley Canyon. It is a large multi-story tower built atop a large sandstone boulder in the canyon, instead of the canyon rim. It was built sometime after 1200 AD and it appears it was constructed without outside scaffolding. Each floor was built from the inside, one floor at a time, building upward. Looking at Holly Tower, you can still see the steps and hand-holds that were pecked into the boulder below the entrance.

The unique stone towers and other buildings at Hovenweep are extremely fragile. To help preserve them, please remain on trail and do not enter or touch any structure.