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Hovenweep National Monument

Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado Vacation Directory
 
 

Hovenweep National Monument Sign, Colorado
Welcome to Hovenweep National Monument
Ruin at Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado
Hovenweep National Monument - 900 AD

 

People inhabited the area of Hovenweep National Monument as long as 10,000 years ago. The people would live in this area for short periods of time while following the seasonal weather patterns. In the year 900 AD people began to settle at Hovenweep year round. 5 prehistoric, Puebloan-era villages were erected with most of the structures being built from 1200 - 1300 AD. During the end of the 13th century, drought drove away the people of these villages. The Pueblo, Zuni, and Hopi tribes are their descendants. After several explorations to the area, President Harding proclaimed Hovenweep a National Monument in 1923. Now, Hovenweep is an archaeological center known for its undeveloped natural character. The park covers 785 acres, bringing 30,000 visitors a year. Located near Cortez and Mancos Colorado, at the border of Colorado and Utah, the park is open year round.

Holly Tower at Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado
There are Unique Remnants at Hovenweep National Monument

 

The Square Tower Group trail is a two-mile loop that takes about 1.5 hours to hike. This area is the largest collection of ancestral Puebloan structures at Hovenweep. The Square Tower, for which the area was named, is a three-story structure that was probably used for ceremonies. Also around the area are 30 kivas (ceremonial structures), as well as, other residential areas. It is possible that as many as 500 people occupied this area from 1200 - 1300. The other structures in the area could have been used for celestial observatories, defensive structures, storage facilities, civil buildings, homes or any combination of the above. Starting at the Visitor Center, the trail is paved to the first overlook, which makes it wheelchair accessible.

Eroded boulder house, Colorado
The Fascinating Eroded Boulder House
Tower at Hovenweep, Colorado
The Square Tower - A Three Story Structure

 

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, which is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. Here you will be able to sign up for interactive programs with rangers, which include patio and overlook talks. These talks can range from information about the Indian flute, how to use an atlatl (a Native American hunting weapon), or how lizards survive at Hovenweep. You will also be able to get a trail guide for the Square Tower Group trail at the Visitor Center.

Also located nearby is:
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Mesa Verde National Park

Directions:

From Cortez, CO: Travel southwest on U.S. Highway 160, 4 miles south and west on County Road G (airport roadway) 41 miles.

More Activities & Information

Dolores Area, Colorado includes: Mcphee Reservoir, Stoner

Dove Creek, Colorado

Mesa Verde Area, Colorado includes: Cortez, Mancos

National Parks and Monuments in Colorado


Argo Mill and Tunnel • Aztec Ruins National Monument • Bandelier National Monument • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Blue Mesa Reservoir/Curecanti National Recreation Area • Browns Canyon National Monument • Canyons of the Ancients National Monument • Chaco Culture National Historical Park • Chimney Rock National Monument • Colorado National Monument • Comanche National Grassland • Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad • Dinosaur National Monument • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area • Garden Park Fossil Area • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Click to return to main Colorado National Park Map

• Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark • Hovenweep National Monument • Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site • Lost Creek Scenic Area • Mesa Verde National Park • Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas Natural National Landmark • Pawnee National Grasslands • Pikes Peak National Landmark • Raton Mesa and Pass National Landmark • Red Rocks Park National Historic Landmark • Rocky Mountain National Park • Roxborough State Park National Natural Landmark • Russell Lakes National Natural Landmark • Slumgullion Earthflow • Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark • Summit Lake National Natural Landmark • The United States Air Force Academy
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