Hovenweep Campground

Campground · Colorado · 29 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Hovenweep National Monument (National Monument) · Open Access

29
Bookable sites
58 ft
Max rig length
up to 8
People per site
1
Accessible site
5,218 ft
Elevation
A tent pad and covered picnic table with a background of Sleeping Ute mountain range's snow-covered peaks.
Photo: NPS/Claire E. Murphy · Recreation.gov

Overview

Hovenweep Campground is nestled within the beautiful, sweeping landscape of the Colorado Plateau in Southeast Utah, at an elevation of approximately 5300 ft. (1615 m). The campground is located alongside two converging canyons and is only 1/4 mile (.4 km) from the park's visitor center. Stunning views of mountains, canyons, and sandstone ledges adorned with desert plants make for a spectacular camping experience!

Length of stay is limited to seven (7) nights (consecutively or non-consecutively) in any 30-day period or a total of 14 nights per year.

Recreation

Hovenweep offers multiple hikes, with the most popular being the Square Tower Group's 2-mile (3.2km) walking loop. This hike has the densest population of ancestral Puebloan structures within Hovenweep and allows visitors to get within 5-10 feet (1.5 - 3 m) of them, creating an intimate and humbling experience with fantastic opportunities for photography. For visitors seeking a longer hike, the Holly Trail is conveniently located at the back of the campground and is roughly 8 miles (12.9 km) round-trip, traversing through 2 slot canyons within Keely Canyon and leading visitors to Hovenweep's outlying site, Holly. Additional hikes to Hovenweep's remaining outlying sites are also available, but generally require a higher-clearance vehicle to access and are subject to variable road conditions. Visitors can also enjoy the majesty and vastness of the dark skies and glowing stars here at our certified International Dark Sky Park!

Facilities

Hovenweep Campground contains 31 campsites that are available for reservation. 10 sites are RV-specific (including 1 handicap-accessible site), while the remaining 21 sites have tent pads. Sites provide a wonderful opportunity for a variety of visitors to stay overnight in a peaceful national monument. The campground road is a paved, one-way loop with campsites located on the inner and outer sides, offering a variety of views for campers! Flush toilets are available, but there are no showers. Drinking water is available from May 1 - November 1 (water is available at the visitor center year-round). All campsites contain picnic tables and fire rings with grill grates. All but 4 campsites have shade structures over the picnic tables. The park does not have dump stations or any hook-ups for RVs. Firewood is not available at the campground. Trash, recycling bins, and a receptacle for pet waste bags are located by the restrooms.

Natural Features

The campground is forested with beautiful, established Utah Juniper trees along with many desert wildflowers and plants, dotting the landscape and offering vivid color to the surrounding sandstone ledges and canyons. Spring reveals the majesty of Veined Penstemon, painting our park with pinks, blues and purples, while Fall sparkles with yellow rabbit brush accents. The park is within an arid, high desert environment with hot summers and cold winters. Hovenweep is home to many species of wildlife, ranging from antelope ground squirrels, ravens, and songbirds to coyotes, jack rabbits and lizards. Many nights and mornings are filled with the calls and songs of our local wildlife! This area piques the interest of many wildlife viewers, birders, and artists as they pull inspiration from the natural beauty and welcoming peace of Hovenweep!

Nearby Attractions

Hovenweep is located roughly 45 miles (72 km) from the nearest town with restaurants and shopping. The closest gas station is located 20 miles from the park, in Aneth, Utah. Our park is located next to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Canyons of the Ancients offers mountain biking/horseback riding trails, as well as archaeological sites and other areas of interest for visitors to explore. There are also multiple state, national, and tribal parks located within an hour or two's driving distance from Hovenweep.

The facts

  • 29 bookable sites
  • 31 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 58 ft
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: Hovenweep

Site types

  • 13 Standard Nonelectric
  • 9 RV Nonelectric
  • 7 Tent Only Nonelectric
  • 2 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

31 campsites at Hovenweep Campground

Check-in 10:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 AM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
Site 1HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Gravel45 ft8 🐾
Site 10HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel46 ft8 🐾
Site 11HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel42 ft8 🐾
Site 12HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel40 ft8 🐾
Site 13HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel31 ft8 🐾
Site 14HovenweepTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel42 ft8 🐾
Site 15HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel38 ft8 🐾
Site 16HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel42 ft8 🐾
Site 17HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel44 ft8 🐾
Site 18HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel43 ft8 🐾
Site 19HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel45 ft8 🐾
Site 2HovenweepRv NonelectricBack InGravel53 ft8 🐾
Site 20HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel41 ft8 🐾
Site 21HovenweepTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel35 ft8 🐾
Site 22HovenweepTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel25 ft8 🐾
Site 23HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Gravel38 ft8 🐾
Site 24HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Gravel37 ft8 🐾
Site 25HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Gravel52 ft8 🐾
Site 26HovenweepTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel29 ft8 🐾
Site 27HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel55 ft8 🐾
Site 28HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Gravel45 ft8 🐾
Site 29HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Gravel46 ft8 🐾
Site 3HovenweepTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel30 ft8 🐾
Site 30HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Paved37 ft8♿ 🐾
Site 31HovenweepManagement—Gravel58 ft8 🐾
Site 4HovenweepRv Nonelectric—Gravel51 ft8 🐾
Site 5HovenweepTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel28 ft8 🐾
Site 6HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel45 ft8 🐾
Site 7HovenweepManagement—Gravel37 ft8 🐾
Site 8HovenweepStandard Nonelectric—Gravel37 ft8 🐾
Site 9HovenweepTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel38 ft8 🐾

Getting there

Turn by turn directions from Cortez, Blanding, or Bluff can be found on the Directions and Transportation page of Hovenweep's website.

37.38320, -109.07081 · 37°22'59.5"N 109°4'14.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 96°F in Jul, down to 43°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F435060687990969384715644
Low °F182429354453615950372618
Precip in0.91.00.80.60.80.31.01.01.11.10.70.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Hovenweep Campground

Can you reserve a site at Hovenweep Campground?
Yes, Hovenweep Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Hovenweep Campground have?
31 sites in total, of which 29 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Hovenweep Campground?
58 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Hovenweep Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Hovenweep Campground.
Does Hovenweep Campground have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Hovenweep Campground?
Campfires are allowed at Hovenweep Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Hovenweep Campground

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Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-07.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.