Tall stone structures with a setting sun shining through them. Desert landscape surrounds them.
Sunset of the Summer Solstice at Hovenweep Castle NPS/Chris Wonderly

Hovenweep National Monument

National Monument · Colorado · National Park Service

Hovenweep preserves six prehistoric sites built between 1200 and 1300 CE which may have served as ceremonial centers. Explore a variety of structures, including multistory towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders. The construction and attention to detail will leave you marveling at the skill and motivation of the builders.

Plan your visit

Trails & hiking

Hiking

Camping

Camping

Site types & reservations: see the official site.

Know before you go

Phone
9705624282
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

Things to do

Highlights: Archeology · Cliff Dwellings · Native American Heritage · Animals

Activities & features: Astronomy · Stargazing · Junior Ranger Program · Park Film · Shopping · Bookstore and Park Store

Photos

  • a stone structure resting on a cliff edge
    NPS Photo / Andrew Kuhn
  • a stone structure at night with the Milky Way arcing overhead
    NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
  • a stone structure with blue sky and clouds overhead
    NPS Photo / Neal Herbert
  • remains of a stone structure with wood beams on the edge of a canyon
    NPS photo
  • Reddish-orange sandstone wall with petroglyphs etched into it
    NPS/Chris Wonderly

Nearby parks

Parks of Colorado

Cheyenne Mountain State ParkNavajo State ParkHighline Lake State ParkLathrop State ParkJohn Martin Reservoir State ParkDinosaur National MonumentPaonia State ParkCastlewood Canyon State ParkRifle Gap State ParkFlorissant Fossil Beds National MonumentNorth Sterling State ParkYucca House National MonumentYampa River State ParkTrinidad Lake State ParkState Forest State ParkBarr Lake State ParkJackson Lake State ParkSweitzer Lake State ParkSpinney Mountain State ParkPearl Lake State ParkStagecoach State ParkSand Creek Massacre National Historic SiteRocky Mountain National ParkSanta Fe National Historic TrailSteamboat Lake State ParkHarvey Gap State ParkCurecanti National Recreation AreaLake Pueblo State ParkRoxborough State ParkElkhead Reservoir State ParkStaunton State ParkEleven Mile State ParkGolden Gate Canyon State ParkVega State ParkMancos State ParkMesa Verde National ParkBent's Old Fort National Historic SiteRifle Falls State ParkSylvan Lake State ParkAmache National Historic SiteLory State ParkChatfield State ParkGreat Sand Dunes National Park & PreserveBoyd Lake State ParkColorado National MonumentFishers Peak State ParkCrawford State ParkBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National ParkRidgway State ParkLone Mesa State ParkCherry Creek State ParkEldorado Canyon State ParkMueller State Park

54 parks mapped in Colorado

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Guides for the trip

All guides →

Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12