Hovenweep National Monument

The Hovenweep National Monument, located in the wild Southwest, is the largest and the best preserved site in Utah. It comprises of 6 different prehistoric ruined villages, which date back to the Pueblo period of the mid thirteenth century. This national monument extends along the UT/CO border and the land here is more or less similar to Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park. There are a number of bushy mesas split by steep-sided, narrow ravines and settlements, which consist of small ruins on or just below the rim around the head of a canyon. Moreover, the peaceful nature and the general remoteness of the surrounding land add to the interest and appeal.

The Monument was named as Hovenweep by explorer William Jackson in 1874. The word ‘Hovenweep’ is derived from a Paiute word meaning deserted valley. This site was designated as a National Monument in 1923. The Monument can be accessed from the south, either via US 191 or via Montezuma County Road G (US 160). The former is the most commonly used approach.

The main site here is the Square Tower Unit that is based around the Little Ruin Canyon. At this place, there is a campground and a visitor center that offers guided tours to the nearby ruins and a good selection of books as well. Out of the 10 ruins that are visible from here, Hovenweep Castle is the most impressive one. The castle has a number of rooms and D-shaped towers made out of Dakota sandstone slick rock. Other major attractions are the Twin Towers and the 2-storey Square Tower on the opposite rim. The latter is a tall column rising from the floor of the canyon whereas the former comprises of two towers, one oval and other horseshoe-shaped.

The nearby villages include the Cajon, Horseshoe, Hackberry, Holly, and the Cutthroat Castle. Cajon is the only village located in Utah. It is situated on the Navajo Reservation, 9 miles (14.4 km) to the southwest. The other 4 villages are located in Colorado. Blanding, Cortez, and Monticello are the towns with hotels closest to the Hovenweep National Monument.