How much does camping cost at Hovenweep Campground?

Camping fees at Hovenweep Campground range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Hovenweep Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Hovenweep Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Hovenweep Campground before I book?

Yes! Hovenweep Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Hovenweep Campground?

Hovenweep Campground is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Hovenweep Campground?

Hovenweep Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Hovenweep Campground have?

Hovenweep Campground has 31 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Hovenweep Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Hovenweep Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Hovenweep Campground?

Hovenweep Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Hovenweep Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Hovenweep Campground?

Fire policies at Hovenweep Campground: Wood fires in grates only. Wood gathering is prohibited. Do not leave garbage in fire grates. Charcoal cooking fires are allowed in fire pans and grills. Place ashes in fire grates. Properly extinguish all fires.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

1.08

195 reviews

McElmo Route, Cortez, CO 81321, USA

Top 22% in COFall

Stargazing

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,300 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Hovenweep National Monument Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,300 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Hovenweep National Monument Official Website

Get Directions

Hovenweep Campground

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

RV only: $20.00; Tent/RV: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(970) 562-4282hoveinfo@nps.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Hovenweep Campground

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Campground Map

McElmo Route, Cortez, CO 81321, USA

Hovenweep Campground

McElmo Route, Cortez, CO 81321, USA

Nearby places

Cortez, CO: 40-45 miles

Blanding, UT: 40-45 miles

Bluff, UT: 40-45 miles

Weather at Hovenweep Campground

Current alerts(7)

All motor vehicles must be parked on designated vehicle pads and must not extend into the roadway. Vehicle barriers may not be moved to enlarge the available parking space.
Campground ‘Generator Hours’ are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Camping is only permitted in the designated campground. Each campsite is limited to 8 persons, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles (a trailer counts as one vehicle).
Flush toilets available year-round.

Best Time to Camp at Hovenweep Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best blend of mild daytime temperatures (typically 60–80°F), crisp nights (30–45°F), and dramatic light on the red rock ruins — ideal for hiking, photography, and stargazing. Crowds thin after late September so trails and viewpoints feel more solitary while the angled autumn light makes the stonework and canyon walls pop. Fall also avoids the hottest summer afternoons and most winter icy conditions, making it the most comfortable season for exploring Hovenweep's archaeological r Peak months: October, September, May, April

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in CO

Fall described as best: mild days (60–80°F), crisp nights and dramatic light; crowds thin after Sept.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Hovenweep Campground

Hovenweep Campground sits within Hovenweep National Monument near Cortez, Colorado, offering mid-elevation forest camping among ancient Puebloan ruins. Operated by the National Park Service, this campground serves as a base for exploring six prehistoric village clusters and enjoys International Dark Sky Park status. Campers hike to tower structures, photograph canyon stonework, and stargaze under exceptionally dark skies.

The campground accommodates tent and RV camping but is primarily designed for tents. Sites are first-come, first-served, and there are no group sites, cabins, or glamping options.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best blend of mild daytime temperatures (typically 60–80°F), crisp nights (30–45°F), and dramatic light on the red rock ruins — ideal for hiking, photography, and stargazing. Crowds thin after late September so trails and viewpoints feel more solitary while the angled autumn light makes the stonework and canyon walls pop. Fall also avoids the hottest summer afternoons and most winter icy conditions, making it the most comfortable season for exploring Hovenweep's archaeological r Peak months: October, September, May, April

Elevation5300 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryUtah junipers shade most sites, their twisted trunks standing against red sandstone horizons. Sleeping Ute Mountain dominates the southern skyline. Spring brings waves of penstemon in pink, blue, and purple. By fall, golden rabbitbrush lights up the scrub. The high desert ecosystem is active: coyotes call at dusk, black-tailed jackrabbits bound through sagebrush, and songbirds work the junipers at dawn. The campground earned Dark Sky Park designation, so stars are exceptional on clear nights.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or other accommodations are available at the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesThe visitor center sometimes hosts educational programs, such as star telescope shows after dark, offering insights into astronomy and local history.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-out

10:00 AM

Stay Limit

Stay is limited to 7 nights consecutively or non-consecutively in any 30-day period and a total of 14 nights per year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each campsite is limited to 8 persons, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles.

Groups

There are no designated group camping sites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThere is one wheelchair-accessible campsite (Site 30), which includes paved access and proximity to accessible restrooms. The campground roads are paved, and the slopes are gentle, making it generally wheelchair-friendly.

Site SizeSites can accommodate RVs up to 36 feet in length. Tent pads are present at most sites.

PrivacyCampsites are described as well-spaced, offering a reasonable level of privacy. Some campers noted that while sites are close together, they do not feel crowded.

Total Campsites31 campsites

Recommended SitesArriving early is advised for securing preferred sites. Site 14 is recommended for mountain views.

Best CampsitesSite 14 gets mentioned repeatedly for its views of Sleeping Ute Mountain. Sites are generally well-spaced despite being on a tight loop. Most have tent pads. Arrive early since it's all first-come, first-served.

Amenities available

The Hovenweep Campground is a 31-site facility designed primarily for tent camping. Sites include tent pads, fire rings with grill grates, picnic tables, and shade structures. Most sites have shade structures except for four. There are flush toilets available year-round, but there are no showers or hookups for RVs. Drinking water is available seasonally from May 1 through November 1, with year-round access to water at the visitor center. The campground is clean and well-maintained, featuring trash and recycling facilities alongside pet waste bag stations. Firewood is not sold on-site, and campers are prohibited from gathering wood. Cell phone reception and Wi-Fi are unavailable, contributing to a quiet and peaceful camping experience.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a variety of recreational activities including hiking, stargazing, birding, and photography. The trails offer access to nearby archaeological sites and scenic views.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyWood fires in grates only. Wood gathering is prohibited. Do not leave garbage in fire grates. Charcoal cooking fires are allowed in fire pans and grills. Place ashes in fire grates. Properly extinguish all fires.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 p.m to 8:00 a.m

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are located by the restrooms. Additionally, there are pet waste bag receptacles for responsible pet management.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

1.1

195 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Hovenweep Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews generally praise the campground's cleanliness, quiet atmosphere, and stunning desert views. Visitors find the tent pads, covered picnic tables, and fire pits to be well-maintained. Some appreciate the close proximity to hiking trails and the visitor center.

Review Summaries

Based on 195 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 195 reviews.

Site 14Mentioned
Site 14 offers views of Sleeping Ute Mountain.
Site 30Mentioned
Site 30 is ADA compliant and easily accessible.

What Campers Love

Clean and modern restrooms; well-spaced campsites; scenic views of Sleeping Ute Mountain; peaceful and quiet; ideal for stargazing due to its designation as a Dark Sky Park.

Based on 195 reviews

Common Concerns

Lack of showers and cell phone reception. Some sites are noted as being too close for those seeking complete seclusion.

Based on 195 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure a first-come, first-served site. Bring your own firewood, as it is not sold on-site. The Holly Trail offers a more challenging hiking experience.

Based on 195 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during spring and fall when temperatures are mild. Summer can be extremely hot, and winters are cold but quiet and less crowded.

Based on 195 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice campground, spots are close but not on top of each other. No showers, flush toilets, clean bathrooms." - Trypp Adams. "Love it. My view at site 14 is Sleeping Ute Mountain. The sites are clean,...

Based on 195 reviews

Accessibility Features

The paved roads and accessible restroom facilities make the campground generally wheelchair-friendly. Site 30 is specifically designed for accessibility.

Based on 195 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and the presence of pet waste stations encourages responsible pet ownership.

Based on 195 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Campgrounds

Hovenweep National Monument

Hovenweep Campground

About Hovenweep National Monument

Context for the broader area surrounding Hovenweep Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Once home to over 2,500 people, Hovenweep includes six prehistoric villages built between A.D. 1200 and 1300. Explore a variety of structures, including multistory towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders. The construction and attention to detail will leave you marveling at the skill and motivation of the builders.

Directions

Do not use GPS to find your way. There are numerous paved and dirt roads intersecting each other in this remote corner of Utah. The Hovenweep Visitor Center is located 40-45 miles from Cortez, Colorado, and Blanding and Bluff, Utah. Follow driving directions on our webpage.