Hovenweep National Monument

[Roy_Lynne]

Been looking at a Utah map and as we are planning to be in Blanding for a few days, wondering if Hovenweep is worth the hour drive? The road coming in from the west appears to be do'able but that's just looking at google.maps. We will have already visited the Gila, Chaco, Aztec and Mesa Verde.
I am semi handicapped, can walk with cane.

[4runnerguy]

Definitely worth the visit. When we were last there, there were biting gnats that were very aggressive. They just did the backstroke in the DEET based repellents we put on. The rangers said to try citronella based repellents and indeed they did work better. Just a heads-up.

[NCWriter]

And you probably already know about the Anasazi Heritage Center's museum. Lots of interesting stuff, and Lowry Pueblo's not far away.

If you like Ancestral Puebloan artifacts and ruins, take Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's one day class. Some classroom time, lunch, visits to their workshops and a ride out to a dig. The center is in Cortez.

[Roy_Lynne]

armadillo 17 wrote:
I too, am limited in my walking abilities, (auto accident 20 yrs ago). We found the ruins in Aztec NM very easy to get around. However the ruins were rebuilt during the depression (WPA or CCC). B

You may want to check out Bluff, UT. The settlement story in 1880's is an interesting one.

Thanks, we are going to be passing thru Bluff so we can certainly stop.

[armadillo_17]

I too, am limited in my walking abilities, (auto accident 20 yrs ago). We found the ruins in Aztec NM very easy to get around. However the ruins were rebuilt during the depression (WPA or CCC). B

You may want to check out Bluff, UT. The settlement story in 1880's is an interesting one.

[wxtoad]

We were there a few years ago and found it a fascinating place. Here are some pictures and comments about the campground.

And here are pix and comments about our time spent wandering Utah. It's one of our favorite states.

Have a great trip!

WxToad

[Roy_Lynne]

Thanks all

[Opie431]

We were there about ten years ago and on our way we saw a herd of wild horses. I do not know if they will still be there but look for them.

[Lauren]

Love Hovenweep. Been there twice. First time the Vis Ctr was a single wide trailer and no trails or anything. There a couple of years ago again and beautiful VC and a great trail around to view things. Well worth the drive.

[cruiserjs]

To all interested in SW ancient people and their homes/lives - just finished reading House of Rain by Craig Childs. Very interesting study of the ancient peoples in the SW and what happened and where the went!!

[Roy_Lynne]

Thank you all so much. Yes NCWriter we do plan to stay there and use it as a hub to check out the area. It sounds like I have another place to add to my itinerary

[jamesu]

NCWriter wrote:
We found the ruins to be very special, though of course not on the size scale of Mesa V or Chaco. Very glad we made the effort to go.

The path around the top of the small canyon is walkable probably even with a cane slowly, but my suggestion is to go to your right after leaving the visitor center..continue halfway and turn back. You will see it from both sides and different sun angles...but a full circuit means very, very rough footing (sliding) down into the canyon and back up. For me it was impassable, so I backtracked, returned the way I came.

We also got directions from the ranger to the El Cajon section...a memorable experience on dirt ad rough rock roads. Very isolated ruins, no one else there or for miles around. Off in the distance you can make out Monument Valley.

Ditto.

Although on a much smaller scale than Mesa Verde, to me Hovenheep was equally fascinating.

[2gypsies1]

Here's the official web site. Study it for more information and maps. The small campground is mainly for tenters although a few sites will accommodate up to 36' RV. There are no hookups.

On the opening page of this site there is an alert that says do not use your GPS to get there. Use a map.

We explored this park as a day trip.

http://www.nps.gov/hove/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm

[jolooote]

Does the CG have electric?

[J_herb]

we camped their for two days and it was great.