Hovenweep is one of our less visited national monuments and contains the ruins of five Anasazi villages distributed over twenty square miles of mesa tops and canyons. It is a “photographer’s paradise” with remarkable towers perched atop large boulders and rock outcroppings. Morning and late afternoon light is often spectacular.

The road to the visitors’ center is well paved, but Hovenweep has the feel of a remote location. “Solitude” and “undeveloped, natural character” aptly describe the monument and it is often possible to be the only visitor at a site. Highlights include the Square Tower Group with nearly thirty kivas and a variety of other structures. The Holly Group includes the Tilted Tower site as well as Boulder House where you can still see handholds pecked into the stone below its entrance. A short (1 mile round trip) walk into Hackberry Canyon brings visitors to Tower Point Ruin which was separated from the mesa top by a perimeter wall. Cutthroat Castle is a circular tower built on three large, irregular boulders with an exceptional kiva that was entered from below through a large crack.

There are no food services in the monument and the primitive campground is the only lodging. Services are available in Cortez, Colorado to the east and Bluff, Utah to the west.

The Anasazi Guide is loaded with information that will make your visit even more enjoyable. Chapter 16 includes directions, summarizes the Anasazi occupation, describes important archeological research, and offers suggestions  for making the most of your visit.