Meaning ‘deserted valley’ in Ute language, Hovenweep is a remote area of former Ancestral Puebloan settlements straddling the Colorado–Utah border that was once home to a large population before extended drought or conflict eventually drove people out of the region around the late 1200s. There are six sets of unique tower ruins, but only the impressive ruins in the Square Tower area are readily accessible. It's under one hour from Bluff, accessed by several routes.
Hovenweep National Monument
Southeastern Utah
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
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A fun stop if you are in the area, this well-regarded, small, family-run vineyard has informal tastings in the straw-bale farm kitchen. Owned by happy…
Nearby Southeastern Utah attractions
22.15 MILES
A fun stop if you are in the area, this well-regarded, small, family-run vineyard has informal tastings in the straw-bale farm kitchen. Owned by happy…
24.73 MILES
Ute people once inhabited this entire region, from the San Luis Valley west into Utah, and, after a series of forced relocations and treaties from the…
3. Crow Canyon Archaeology Center
25.15 MILES
This cultural center, about 3 miles north of Cortez, offers a day-long educational program that visits an excavation site west of town. Programs teach the…
27.09 MILES
Exhibits on the Ancestral Puebloans, as well as art displays, make this museum worthy of a visit if you have a few hours to spare. The adjoining Cultural…
27.13 MILES
Don't be shy: do a spread eagle for the camera on top of the four corners marker that signifies you're in four states at once. It's a good image, even if…
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Descendants of the original pioneers have re-created the original log cabin settlement near the few remaining historic buildings in Bluff.
27.42 MILES
Blanding's Dinosaur Museum is fascinating and highly ambitious; it's aim is to cover the complete history of the world’s dinosaurs. Mummified remains and…
8. Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum
28.41 MILES
More a museum than a park, with ancient Native American artifacts and the best pottery collection in the Southwest. Informative displays provide a good…