Trails in Hovenweep National Monument

The Holly Trail is Hovenweep’s longest and most rugged hike. Start at the campground follow the trail 3.5 miles along a canyon wash to the Holly Group. After exploring Holly’s standing structures and lasting petroglyphs, return along the same route for a total distance of 7 miles. The trail leads into and out of the canyon by way of slot canyon (one on each end) and winds across the wash.

We recommend the Holly trail for those wanting a longer hike, canyon hiking, or a different point of view. After all, the trail must be very similar to those taken by people who lived at Square Tower Group visiting their neighbors at Holly. There aren’t any standing structures until you reach the Holly Group, but about two miles in are rubble piles from an older, fallen structure.

The Holly Group is also home to the Holly Sun Panel, a petroglyph panel that archeologists believe marks the summer solstice. Visible any time of year, the panel is seen from an overlook at the far end of the Holly Group.

The Holly Group is also accessible from a dirt road off Road 10.

Visiting Respectfully

These structures may seem long-abandoned, but they are ancestral homes for the modern Pueblo peoples, many of whom believe their ancestors inhabit them still. Hovenweep National Monument was established to protect these places. Help us protect these dwellings by remaining on trail, not touching or entering any structure, and leaving any artifact in place. Thank you for doing your part and visiting respectfully!

This two mile loop trail starts at the visitor center and circles around the Square Tower Group structures / Little Ruin Canyon. The trail starts as sidewalk down to the overlook, then veers off in either direction (and loops back around) to circle the canyon. A portion of this trail crosses the canyon, with 80 feet of elevation gain and loss on stairs. The primitive trail is lined with rocks and passes within 5-10 feet of most of the structures, allowing visitors an uninterrupted and natural view of these architectural wonders. A trail guide gives historical information and insight into the towers, but we encourage you to ponder the day-to-day life of the ancestral Pueblo people who lived here.

The Square Tower Group is Hovenweep’s largest and most convenient collection of standing structures. Ten buildings perch on the rim of Little Ruin Canyon; the remains of several more are crumbled down the canyon walls. Some of the most popular and unique structures in the Four Corners region are in this canyon: Hovenweep Castle, Twin Towers, and Square Tower, for which the group is named.

You don’t have to walk the entire loop to see and enjoy the Square Tower Group. Several out-and-back hikes give plenty of options to do as little or as much as you can or want.

Visiting Respectfully

These structures may seem long-abandoned, but they are ancestral homes for the modern Pueblo peoples, many of whom believe their ancestors inhabit them still. Hovenweep National Monument was established to protect these places. Help us protect these dwellings by remaining on trail, not touching or entering any structure, and leaving any artifact in place. Thank you for doing your part and visiting respectfully!

This overlook is your gateway to the Square Tower Group and often your first glimpse of Hovenweep’s ancestral Puebloan structures. Just a 10-minute walk from the visitor center, the overlook provides scenic views of the surrounding landscape, Little Ruin Canyon, and several of the Square Tower Group structures. It is also the beginning of the Square Tower Group rim trail.

The paved overlook trail beings at the visitor center; round-trip length is 0.32 miles (0.5 kilometers). Along the way, placards identify native plants.

The Square Tower Group is Hovenweep’s largest collection of standing structures. From the overlook, you can see Stronghold House, Twin Towers, Eroded Boulder House, and Tower Point. Waysides at the overlook identify and interpret these structures.

Visiting Respectfully

These structures may seem long-abandoned, but they are ancestral homes for the modern Pueblo peoples, many of whom believe their ancestors inhabit them still. Hovenweep National Monument was established to protect these places. Help us protect these dwellings by remaining on trail, not touching or entering any structure, and leaving any artifact in place. Thank you for doing your part and visiting respectfully!

This two mile loop trail starts at the visitor center and circles around the Square Tower Group structures / Little Ruin Canyon. The trail starts as sidewalk down to the overlook, then veers off in either direction (and loops back around) to circle the canyon. A portion of this trail crosses the canyon, with 80 feet of elevation gain and loss on stairs. The primitive trail is lined with rocks and passes within 5-10 feet of most of the structures, allowing visitors an uninterrupted and natural view of these architectural wonders. A trail guide gives historical information and insight into the towers, but we encourage you to ponder the day-to-day life of the ancestral Pueblo people who lived here.

The Square Tower Group is Hovenweep’s largest and most convenient collection of standing structures. Ten buildings perch on the rim of Little Ruin Canyon; the remains of several more are crumbled down the canyon walls. Some of the most popular and unique structures in the Four Corners region are in this canyon: Hovenweep Castle, Twin Towers, and Square Tower, for which the group is named.

You don’t have to walk the entire loop to see and enjoy the Square Tower Group. Several out-and-back hikes give plenty of options to do as little or as much as you can or want.

Visiting Respectfully

These structures may seem long-abandoned, but they are ancestral homes for the modern Pueblo peoples, many of whom believe their ancestors inhabit them still. Hovenweep National Monument was established to protect these places. Help us protect these dwellings by remaining on trail, not touching or entering any structure, and leaving any artifact in place. Thank you for doing your part and visiting respectfully!