Hovenweep National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Colorado, Utah
đ Park Overview
Hovenweep preserves six prehistoric sites built between A.D. 1200 and 1300 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.
đ¤ Weather Information
Hovenweep is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.
đ Directions
Do not use GPS to find your way. There are numerous paved and dirt roads intersecting each other in this remote corner of Utah. The Hovenweep Visitor Center is located 40-45 miles from Cortez, Colorado, and Blanding and Bluff, Utah. Follow driving directions on our webpage.
Images
Hovenweep National Monument was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2014.
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
Claretcup Cactus is a common plant at Hovenweep National Monument
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
Stronghole House is one of several structures at the Square Tower Group
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Kuhn
The Cajon Unit is one of several outlying units at Hovenweep National Monument.
Credit: NPS Photo / Neal Herbert
Collard lizards are one of many species that call Hovenweep home.
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
The Holly Group is one of Hovenweep's outlying sites, but worth the drive or hike.
Credit: NPS photo
Hovenweep National Monument was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2014.
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
Claretcup Cactus is a common plant at Hovenweep National Monument
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
Stronghole House is one of several structures at the Square Tower Group
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Kuhn
The Cajon Unit is one of several outlying units at Hovenweep National Monument.
Credit: NPS Photo / Neal Herbert
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Jul 13
Sunny
High: 100.9°F | Low: 76.3°F
Humidity: 22%
Wind: 31.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 12
Sunrise: 06:07 AM
Sunset: 08:37 PM
Moon: New Moon (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 72.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Jul 14
Sunny
High: 97.9°F | Low: 77°F
Humidity: 26%
Wind: 23.3 mph
Rain Chance: 17%
UV Index: 11.4
Sunrise: 06:07 AM
Sunset: 08:37 PM
Moon: New Moon (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 71.6°F
Cloud Cover: 17%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Jul 15
Sunny
High: 95°F | Low: 71.3°F
Humidity: 39%
Wind: 17.9 mph
Rain Chance: 57%
UV Index: 11.5
Sunrise: 06:08 AM
Sunset: 08:37 PM
Moon: New Moon (3%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 69.7°F
Cloud Cover: 57%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Flash Flood Warning issued July 13 at 4:59PM MDT until July 13 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Effective: Jul 13, 2026 6:59pm
Expires: Jul 13, 2026 10:00pm
FFWGJT
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
The Babylon burn scar in...
Northeastern San Juan County in southeastern Utah...
* Until 800 PM MDT.
* At 459 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain over the Babylon Burn Scar. Between 0.2 and 0.4 inches
of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 4 inches
in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow
moving through the Indian Creek. The debris flow can consist of
rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding in and around the Babylon
Burn Scar.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
the Babylon Burn Scar.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
mainly rural areas of Northeastern San Juan County
Park Alerts
Park Events
Herschel Talashoma
Come hear Herschel Talashoma, a Hopi carver and former Hovenweep employee, as he shares his personal, unique perspective on the site after a decade of helping preserve it. A master carver, he will also share his art with the public and talk answer questions from the public.Â
Date: Apr 3, 2026 12:00am to Apr 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Leslie Robledo: Hopi Basket Maker
Date: Apr 23, 2026 12:00am to Apr 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Leslie Robledo: Hopi Basket Maker
Hopi basket maker Leslie Robledo (Reed Clan) will be at Hovenweep National Monument April 23rd - 26th! She learned her craft from her great-grandmother, Master Weaver Freda Quavema. The public will have the opportunity to meet Leslie and learn about her culture while she demonstrates how she makes her art from 9:00am - 4:00pm daily. For more information contact HOVEinfo@nps.gov.
Date: Apr 24, 2026 12:00am to Apr 24, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Leslie Robledo: Hopi Basket Maker
Hopi basket maker Leslie Robledo (Reed Clan) will be at Hovenweep National Monument April 23rd - 26th! She learned her craft from her great-grandmother, Master Weaver Freda Quavema. The public will have the opportunity to meet Leslie and learn about her culture while she demonstrates how she makes her art from 9:00am - 4:00pm daily. For more information contact HOVEinfo@nps.gov.
Date: Apr 25, 2026 12:00am to Apr 25, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Leslie Robledo: Hopi Basket Maker
Hopi basket maker Leslie Robledo (Reed Clan) will be at Hovenweep National Monument April 23rd - 26th! She learned her craft from her great-grandmother, Master Weaver Freda Quavema. The public will have the opportunity to meet Leslie and learn about her culture while she demonstrates how she makes her art from 9:00am - 4:00pm daily. For more information contact HOVEinfo@nps.gov.
Date: Apr 26, 2026 12:00am to Apr 26, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Program
Topics range from history to botany and last from 30 minutes to an hour. Check the Visitor Center for daily program details and locations.
Date: May 20, 2026 12:00am to May 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Jimmy Yawakia: Zuni Carver
Hovenweep is honored to host award-winning Artist, Jimmy Yawakia, a Zuni Fetish Carver traveling all the way from Zuni Pueblo. This spring come see him in person as he shares his cultural knowledge of A:shiwi migration from Ribbon Falls Grand Canyon, and how fetish carving originated in the past and still exists with generations of Zuni fetish carvers.
Meet him at the Hovenweep visitor center June 3rd - 6th from 9am - 4pm daily to learn more about his culture as he carves his stone fetishes.
Date: Jun 3, 2026 12:00am to Jun 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Jimmy Yawakia: Zuni Carver
Hovenweep is honored to host award-winning Artist, Jimmy Yawakia, a Zuni Fetish Carver traveling all the way from Zuni Pueblo. This spring come see him in person as he shares his cultural knowledge of A:shiwi migration from Ribbon Falls Grand Canyon, and how fetish carving originated in the past and still exists with generations of Zuni fetish carvers.
Meet him at the Hovenweep visitor center June 3rd - 6th from 9am - 4pm daily to learn more about his culture as he carves his stone fetishes.
Date: Jun 4, 2026 12:00am to Jun 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Jimmy Yawakia: Zuni Carver
Hovenweep is honored to host award-winning Artist, Jimmy Yawakia, a Zuni Fetish Carver traveling all the way from Zuni Pueblo. This spring come see him in person as he shares his cultural knowledge of A:shiwi migration from Ribbon Falls Grand Canyon, and how fetish carving originated in the past and still exists with generations of Zuni fetish carvers.
Meet him at the Hovenweep visitor center June 3rd - 6th from 9am - 4pm daily to learn more about his culture as he carves his stone fetishes.
Date: Jun 5, 2026 12:00am to Jun 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Jimmy Yawakia: Zuni Carver
Hovenweep is honored to host award-winning Artist, Jimmy Yawakia, a Zuni Fetish Carver traveling all the way from Zuni Pueblo. This spring come see him in person as he shares his cultural knowledge of A:shiwi migration from Ribbon Falls Grand Canyon, and how fetish carving originated in the past and still exists with generations of Zuni fetish carvers.
Meet him at the Hovenweep visitor center June 3rd - 6th from 9am - 4pm daily to learn more about his culture as he carves his stone fetishes.
Date: Jun 6, 2026 12:00am to Jun 6, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
đ Physical Address:
Along the border between southeast Utah and southwest Colorado
Just north and west of Cortez, CO
Cortez, CO 81321
đ¤ Mailing Address:
McElmo Route
Cortez, CO 81321
đ Voice Phone: 9705624282
âď¸ Email: hoveinfo@nps.gov