Holly Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Historical Significance · Views

This trail connects the Square Tower Unit and Holly Unit in Hovenweep National Monument. It starts at the campground loop and heads south towards Little Ruin Canyon. Just 100 yards in, it may appear as if the trail ends, but it actually drops down into a very narrow fissure in the rock before emerging into the canyon just a few dozen yards later. The trail is obvious to follow from here. Within Little Ruin Canyon, the trail initially stays on the northern side, but after half a mile drops into the canyon wash. Follow the dry bed another half mile until you reach the junction with Keeley Canyon. Turn left here, following the wash for 100 yards before heading up the eastern side onto the elevated grassy slope. From here on, the trail heads north, occasionally passing a dry creek bed until about 3 miles in when the trail goes up the western side of the canyon, right on the border to Colorado. The trail levels again just a fifth of a mile later and reaches the Holly ruins at 3.4 miles. The first notable sight is Holly House right at the canyon rim. The trail turns left, circling the canyon head and passing Tilted Tower before reaching a small parking lot at the end of a dirt road.