Incredible cliff dwellings at Hovenweep National Monument. Unlike Mesa Verde, these are perched on canyon rims and carefully balanced on boulders. Unlike other cultures, the people here did not level the land, they adapted their structures to the uneven rock surface below. Resulting in some pretty impressive architecture. Especially since it was all built between 1200-1300 AD, way before modern technology. In all, there were six villages here. All of whom were home to two thousand five hundred people. Mostly hunters and gatherers, who also grew crops on the mesa tops. The buildings consist of a few homes, towers and kivas. All of which as perched on canyon rims and/or carefully balanced on boulders. Sadly it’s unsure what the towers were for. Some believe they may have been used as either celestial observatories of perhaps as deffense againts invaders.
Why did the people leave?
Since the people here didn’t leave any records behind, no one really knows why they left the area. Most likely, they left in response to the twenty-three year drought that affected this area. Under those circumstances, all communities in the four corners area were abandoning their communities at the time. Since these people were closely associated with people of Mesa Verde, it’s safe to assume they relocated to the same regions. Such as south of the Rio Grande in New mexico and at the Little Colorado Basin in Arizona. However, it may also have been the result of warfare. Sadly it will probably remain a mystery and that only makes the site more interesting.
Directions
Hovenweep National Monument
From Cortez, take US-491 N/N Broadway to Rd BB in Pleasent view. Turn left onto Rd BB then turn left onto Co Rd 10. Continue onto C R 212/Hovenweep Rd and then take a left onto C R 268 A. Destination will be on your right.
Bluff UT, take UT-162 E and turn left onto UT-162 E/Mission Rd. Turn left onto UT-262 W, then turn right on Old Aneth Rd. Take a left onto Indian Rte 5065, then turn right onto Reservation Rd. Turn left to stay on Reservation Rd. Eventually it will become C R 212/Hovenweep Rd. Final right onto C R 268 A and the destination will be on your right.
Accommodations
The closest accommodations are in Bluff, Utah or Cortez, Colorado. My link will search through all the online sites to find you the best price available. By purchasing your trip through my link, this site will earn a small commission on your purchase. Rest assured that it will not cost you anything extra! In fact, the only difference is that this site will earn a commission instead of another booking site. Thank your sponsorship!
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