Hovenweep - Square Tower Ruins

Dogs Leashed

Features Historical Significance · Views

The trail circles the head of Little Ruin Canyon leading you past the highlights of the Square Tower Unit in Hovenweep National Monument. Enjoy the canyon views while you picture this area as a lively village of the Ancestral Puebloan people in the 12th and 13th century.

From the visitor center, follow the paved path towards Little Ruin Canyon. The Stronghold House ruins are right at the edge of the canyon. Take a look around to get an overview of this Ancestral Pueblo. Turn right to start the loop around the canyon head. Remnants of structures are abundant along the canyon rim. After half a mile you round the northern side of the canyon. Instead of staying on the main trail, take the Tower Point Loop to get to the center of this village.

Spectacular views of the entire canyon await. Two towers once stood here overlooking the canyon. As you continue to follow the canyon rim, you reach Hovenweep Castle, the largest remaining ruin in the unit. On the other side of the canyon is Hovenweep House. Following the southern canyon rim, you pass by Rockrim House and Twin Towers. At 1.3 miles, the trail steeply descends into the canyon to cross it. As you ascend again, you notice more ruins on your left. Close the loop at 1.6 miles and head back to the visitor center.

There is evidence of early human occupation in what is now Hovenweep National Monument from 8,000 B.C. all the way through the 14th century. The ruins in Square Tower Unit are from the Pueblo III Era, between 1150 and 1350. The people who lived here built large residential complexes with multi-story stone towers and living quarters. The villages are typically at the heads of canyons near springs and seeps and their structures exhibit advanced masonry skills and engineering.