Hovenweep National Monument

Hovenweep is a national monument with small but modern quiet campgrounds. The dark skies for amazing stars are spectacular. While they do not have showers, their bathrooms were clean and convenient to the loop of campsites. It was quiet and the rangers were friendly and warm. The Hovenweep monument archeological treasures are well worth scheduling a few hours to hike and visit. There are several ancient structures on the site (a small canyon) and the hikes are short and sooooo worth doing.

Arrived quite late in the afternoon, just in time to walk around the site and head to the campgrounds, to find out I was the only one staying here tonight: absolute silence! Bathrooms were open and clean, water taps running, but no water outside to fill the RV water tanks (had to go to Visitor center)

This is a great campsite. We came across it leaving Cortez and realized that we were losing daylight. It was about 40 minutes from Cortez and we were lucky to find it. There are about 30 sites with sand beds, covered tables, and fire pits. Truly a beautiful spot for $15/night. It was very safe and you could hear the coyotes at night. The grounds and bathrooms were clean and there were paths leading to the restrooms from each campsite. Unfortunately, we arrived on a full moon night so couldn’t stargaze but it would be incredible! Keep in mind, this is a first come first serve campground so I’d suggest arriving earlier especially no moon nights during peak season.

Traveling in Mercedes Sprinter camper. Set a little away from the bigger attractions but well worth the visit, stunning views and extremely clean and beautifully landscaped. Probably not much room for the larger RV's. $15 per night. We were told by a fellow traveller that its never full and we only spotted it by mistake on our way to Canyonlands. Just off on a hike which looks interesting too.

Arrived early afternoon and visitor center was closed. Their hours are 0900 to 1200 hours. We drove on to the campground, drove around to pick our site. The campground was designed as a tent campground but there are some sites that a van or small trailers RVs will fit. Our site had a fire pit, picnic table with a cover. Fairly level site, amazing view. We can’t see any neighbors. This is a first come first serve. Once we picked our site we went to the kiosk. Parking was $14 or with a pass it was $7. Nice flush toilets, clean, toilet paper and hand soap with air dryers. Outside bathroom are containers for recycle, etc. that was a nice surprise. At Welcome Center you may get up to five gallons of water per person in your party per day. Cell service with Verizon was two to three bars sitting at picnic table. Haven’t tried the wee boost yet.

A pretty typical nartional park campground - not many trees - small spaces right off the path. However, the bathrooms are clean and the walk to the walk to the monument is short. I love Hovenweep and was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the night - giving me the opportunity to photograph both the sunrise and sunset.

But the trails are open.

Many roads into area, all narrow, winding and potholed. Arrive well before dark as roads are also full of livestock. Clean bathroom but no showers. Lovely views all around. Dark sky activities in summer. Shelters and fire rings at all spots as well as nice tent pads. Some rv only spots. Water inside visitor center, pump out front didn't work. Free admission to Monument, $15 bucks to camp. Improvements to water and infrastructure in progress. Fees for admission coming in May 2019.

After seeing photos of the beautiful modern shade structures in a friend’s Facebook post, I knew that Hovenweep was a camping spot I should keep on my list of possibilities. Sure enough it was truly lovely and very clean. The remodel allowed for large sage bushes to remain between the level gravel camping pads so that despite the lack or large trees in this region there is still a sense of privacy between sites. The modern shade structures provide a great way to string up a lantern for your late night or a way to tie your hammock up as well. The position of the campsite on the bluff of the canyon provided a great view of the sunset as well. Clean and cared for restrooms are just a close walk on well marked paths. Highly recommend this campground. Hovenweep is a really special place!

31 sites - arrived at 1 pm at the end of May and had many empty sites to choose from. The campground is only about 1/3 full at almost 6 pm. If you want a shower, this campground is not for you but I don't base my rating on shower availability. There is potable water, a clean bathroom with flush toilets, level campsites and beautiful views. That's all I need! After all, it's camping.

Several sites are reserved for RVs. We took one for our teardrop but could have used one of the sites with a tent pad. A campervan or small trailer could pull in the parking area for some of the tent sites. Tent pads are mostly dirt with a little bit of crushed rock.

This is a Dark Sky Park but there are lots of those in Utah.

At first glance, Hovenweep's campground seems almost barren and sun-scorched, perched as it is on a sagebrush mesa with few trees. But settle into your campsite, each with it own sunshade, and you will find yourself enjoying the sweeping view over canyons to Sleeping Ute Mountain. A cool breeze will come up, and then the stars start to appear, and they don't stop. This is the place to be for the Perseid Meteor Shower in August.

The ruins can be enjoyed on nice 1- to 2-mile stroll around the canyon rim. Or, you can be adventurous and hike 3-4 miles to several distant ruin groups along the pinon-topped mesa. All you will hear is silence, deep relaxing silence, and maybe a coyote or two.

The visitor center is especially nice, with a great selection of books about the Southwest. You might have planned to stay just one night, but you could find yourself lingering for a few more.

Also, the campground road is paved, as are the parking areas for each site, which is good news for RVs. And the sites are nicely spaced, with sunshades and picnic tables.