national parks national parks

Hovenweep National Monument

Link Buttons Symbols
 

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.

hovenweep national monument, Cortez, Colorado, The CVD
hovenweep national monument, Cortez, Colorado, The CVD

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.

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

Places to Stay and Fun Things to Do

Country Inn Motel new listing with The Colorado Vacation Directory
A pleasant surprise in Dove Creek, Colorado. The sheets are clean and crisp and the towels are soft. You could easily press on for a chain motel at twice the price but why not support a small town business!
motels national parks
Dolores River RV Park & Cabins mutual link button on advertiser page
Minutes to McPhee Reservoir. Big rigs welcome. Two miles northeast of Dolores offering full hookup RV sites, tenting along the river and cabins with kitchens. Once you arrive, enjoy the peace and tranquility.
cabins rv parks national parks

Return to the Top

More Activities & Information

Mesa Verde Area
Dolores

Directions:

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

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Blue Mesa Reservoir/Curecanti National Recreation Area • Canyons of the Ancients National Monument • Chimney Rock Archaeological Site • Colorado National Monument • Comanche National Grassland • Dinosaur National Monument • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Garden of the Gods Recreation Area • Great Sand Dunes National Park • Hovenweep National Monument • Mesa Verde National Park • Pawnee National Grassland • Pikes Peak • Rocky Mountain National Park • The United States Air Force Academy
The Colorado Vacation Directory, Annual Print Publication
The Colorado Vacation Directory
Colorado State Map, Download, The CVD
Colorado State Map
E-Newsletter, The Colorado Vacation Directory
E-Newsletter Mailing List
 

Bookmark and Share
Join us on Facebook

 

A-Z Towns & Areas | Colorado Maps | Cabins & Cottages | Motels & Hotels | Lodging & Lodges | Vacation Homes | Condos, Suites & Townhomes | Bed & Breakfast | Tent Camping | RV Parks & Campgrounds | RV Sales, Service & Rentals | Romance Packages | Family Friendly | Dogs OK | By water | Swimming Pools | Guest Horses | Groups, Reunions & Retreats | Weddings & Elopements | Winter Lodging | Calendars of Events | National Parks, Monuments & Historic Sites | Scenic Byways | Fishing & Fly Fishing | Hot Springs | Horse Riding | ATVing | Jeeping & 4WD | Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking | Attraction | Golfing | Restaurants & Dining | More Fun Stuff | Hunting & Land Leases | Snowmobiling | Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding | Snowshoeing | Cross - Country Skiing | Friendly Neighbors

Copyright by The Colorado Directory, Inc. This is a directory only; it is not and does not contain a recommendation,warranty, guaranty, inducement or endorsement of any kind. Representations herein were supplied by the individual businesses. The publisher, The Colorado Directory, Inc., does not assume any responsibility for truth, falsity or completeness of any representation made herein or any errors, changes, services rendered, or changes made in the use of this directory. This information was compiled as accurately as possible. Prices and services are frequently subject to change. Errors called to the publisher's attention will be corrected in the future. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.