Are These RUINS or CASTLES?

Hovenweep National Monument | Utah

Related campgrounds: Hovenweep

An impromptu stop at Hovenweep National Monument on our road trip led to a surprising discovery - some of the most unique structures from the Ancestral Puebloans that we've ever seen! With a mountain backdrop, these Indian ruins are magical. Hovenweep National Monument was once called home to Ancestral Puebloan people from about AD 500 to AD 1300. The culture focused on farming, creating a landscape capable of growing food for an estimated 2500 people. To live and store crops they created masterful structures with impressive masonry - structures with numerous similarities to those found at other locations like Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon. Structures found at Hovenweep vary wildly. One can find buildings with squared corners, rounded corners, and D-shaped dwellings. The fact that these structures have stood the test of time perched on mesa edges and boulders is astounding. There are six units that comprise Hovenweep National Monument spread out over 20 miles. Some of the remote locations are not as easily accessible. The Square Tower Group is the most accessible featuring the park's visitor center and a campground. The trail is 2 miles long that includes an 80 foot descent and ascent in and out of the canyon.