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

Know before you go

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

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

What's here

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

Activities & features: Astronomy · Stargazing · Camping · Hiking · 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

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54 parks mapped in Colorado

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