Hovenweep: don’t miss this gem while visiting the Farm
Exploring Hovenweep National Monument: A Hidden Gem Near Mesa Verde Lavender
When guests visit Mesa Verde Lavender, a trip to Hovenweep National Monument offers a captivating journey into the ancient history of the Four Corners region. It’s a day trip we think every visitor should experience. We have been blown away with our visits and hikes there and cannot recommend this well-preserved and sacred monument enough. Located approximately an hour’s drive from our lavender fields, Hovenweep is renowned for its well-preserved ancestral Puebloan structures and scenic hiking trails!
A Glimpse into the Past
Human habitation at Hovenweep dates back over 10,000 years, with nomadic Paleoindians initially visiting the area to gather food and hunt game. By around A.D. 900, people began settling there year-round, cultivating crops on the mesa tops. Between A.D. 1230 and 1275, the population grew to over 2,500 residents, leading to the construction of the impressive stone towers and pueblos that still stand today (National Park Service).
Interestingly, Mesa Verde National Park was inhabited before Hovenweep. The ancestral Puebloans began settling Mesa Verde around A.D. 550, initially living in pithouses on the mesa tops before transitioning to their famous cliff dwellings by the late 1100s. Hovenweep saw continuous habitation beginning around A.D. 900, with its distinctive stone towers being built between A.D. 1200 and 1275—roughly the same time as Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings. Both sites were ultimately abandoned by the late 1200s, likely due to environmental changes and resource scarcity.
Distinctive Architecture
While both Hovenweep and Mesa Verde National Park showcase the ingenuity of ancestral Puebloan architecture, their structures differ notably. Mesa Verde is famous for its cliff dwellings, intricately built into alcoves of canyon walls, providing natural protection and insulation. In contrast, Hovenweep's inhabitants constructed multi-story towers and pueblos on canyon rims and boulders, exhibiting advanced masonry skills. These towers, often circular, square, or D-shaped, served various purposes, including habitation, storage, and possibly defense (Wikipedia).
Exploring the Trails
Hovenweep offers several hiking trails that allow visitors to immerse themselves in its rich history and stunning landscapes:
Square Tower Group Trail: This 1.5-mile loop is the main attraction at Hovenweep, winding around Little Ruin Canyon and passing by several intriguing structures from the A.D. 1200s (Grand Canyon Trust). I had an incredible adventure hiking this trail with Travis and Chaco. The scenery was breathtaking, and we barely saw another soul, making the experience feel even more special.
Horseshoe and Hackberry Trail: A 1.44-mile round-trip hike that leads to medium-sized Pueblo III-era villages. The trailhead is accessible via an unimproved dirt road, so high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended (National Park Service).
Holly Trail: This trail leads to the Holly Group, where visitors can see a rock art panel interpreted as a summer solstice marker. The five named buildings at the site include Curved Wall House and Tilted Tower (Wikipedia). We also hiked this trail, and it was incredible how quiet and peaceful it was compared to the much busier Mesa Verde National Park. We were the only people on the trail!
Cutthroat Castle Trail: This trail takes hikers to the Cutthroat Castle group, unique for its numerous kivas and structures situated below the canyon rim (Wikipedia).
For those seeking a longer adventure, an eight-mile round-trip hike connects the Square Tower Unit with the Holly Unit, offering a scenic backcountry experience (National Park Service).
Plan Your Visit
So after we’ve made you your home-cooked breakfast, make your way to this beautiful site! As always, it’s advisable to check trail conditions and accessibility at the visitor center, as some routes may require specific vehicle types for access (we decided we will do these roads with the truck…not my low-riding CRV). Remember to carry plenty of water, wear sturdy footwear, and be prepared for the high desert environment. I am constantly reminding visitors… more water and BIG hats and sun-protection layers!
One of the most remarkable aspects of Hovenweep is how quiet and peaceful it is. Unlike Mesa Verde, which can be crowded with tourists, Hovenweep feels almost like a hidden treasure, where you can truly soak in the solitude and beauty of the ancient ruins. Always remember to leave any pottery sherds you find on your adventures where you find them. It is disrespectful and illegal to take pottery or any remains from sites such as these.
Visiting Hovenweep National Monument provides a profound connection to the ancestral Puebloan people and their architectural marvels. It’s a perfect complement to your stay at Mesa Verde Lavender, enriching your appreciation of the region’s cultural and natural heritage. We can’t wait to chat with you about it after you take it all in. <3