Tower Point

Tower Point is perfectly placed at the junction of two canyons, providing excellent views.

NPS photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Square Tower Group

Significance:

Unique ancestral Puebloan structure.

Amenities

1 listed

Scenic View/Photo Spot

The most striking feature of Tower Point itself is the commanding view of the canyon and side canyon, Sleeping Ute Mountain, and surrounding landscape. For that reason, Tower Point is often a must-see for visitors.

In the side canyon, look for alcoves just below the rim. Some are open rock, others have remains of stonework nearby - rooms where people stored crops such as corn, beans, and squash. A surplus harvest was essential to the ancestral Puebloans because they had to get through the inevitable bad years when crops failed. We believe they kept at least 1 years’ surplus crops for every person in the community. These granaries had to be tight and secure against rodents and seeping water.

The unique stone towers and other buildings at Hovenweep are extremely fragile. To help preserve them, observe proper site etiquette.

• Remain on marked trails.

• Do not enter or touch any structure.

• Do not touch or disturb any artifacts, including pottery sherds, arrow points, or rock art. Once removed from context, the story they tell is gone forever.