Hovenweep Campground

This is a pretty good park! Most of the sites are set up for tent camping, and i dont think there are any utilities. The parking is plenty big for camper vans in most sites, and there are larger sites for bigger rigs - these were fully occupied as far as I could tell. Each site has a picnic table with sunshade and a sandy level tent platform. Bathrooms are flush toilets, clean, and there is potable water (5 gallon per person) by the bathroom. Campsite connects to the trail system - a great loop around the main canyon and spur to the visitor center is about 2 miles; a longer hike to the Holly site (amazing building remains!) is about 7 miles canyon hiking, well marked and lovely. It can also be accessed by car, but makes for a good day hike. The atmo is quiet and contemplative

Loved this place in the middle of nowhere! So quiet. Imagining what it was like for the people living here so long ago.

The canyon rim ruins trail connects to the campground. Trails to other ruins are located either via a longer hike or a close drive. Very close drive to Canyon of the Ancients.

We were here on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2021. This 31 site first-come first-served campground (NO HOOKUPS) was about half-full by early afternoon. Most sites are fairly narrow pull-offs (as mentioned by other reviewers, some more level than others and may require some leveling equipment). Sites have a nice picnic table, sand tent pad, and fire-pit. Most have sun shelters.

Most of these pull-off sites accommodate either vehicles with tents, vans, or small trailers. Our 16 foot trailer and truck fit in pull-off site #6 with no problem. There were 5 or 6 RV ONLY sites that looked level (most were taken by about 2:30pm). None looked like they could accommodate larger rigs, ie. large 5th wheels or class A.

A bit convoluted to get to from the south/southeast (Shiprock). Fairly close to highway 191 heading out to the west. *Be aware that a short section of Reservation Road heading out to the west is BADLY potholed. Look for tiny signs at turns for Blanding and Bluff.

- Dry camping only - generators allowed but no one was using them (8am-10am and from 4pm-8pm)
- Clean flush toilets and running water
- Only 5 gallons of water allowed to fill jugs
- Trash and recycle collection available
- Dogs allowed on leash on all trails
- $15 per night / $7 with Interagency Senior or Access pass
- The park website says there is no cell coverage but there is
- Visitor Center closed due to COVID

First off don't use GPS to get here. We did not note any sites with hookups as previous reviewer had stated. Park is quiet, there are flush toilets in the campgrounds and beautiful scenery for days. The sites have a nice table with built in shade cover. We sat outside on a non moon night and stared at the Milky Way as long as we could. The hiking is great and you get to see so many ruins. Just a great out of the way, off the beaten path place to go.

No hook ups whatsoever, first come first served campground (not sure how previous reviewer had electric??). Sites are mostly small and alongside road, may or may not be level. Restrooms (no showers) were clean and recycling trash receptacles located there. But it is heaven here. Don't come with rowdy kids or to party or be loud around your campfire. This is a place for peace and reflection on the natural beauty and the night sky. I felt bad turning on a single light after dark for even a few seconds, and we spoke in whispers. A walk up to the ruins at sunset was spectacular. Longer trails from the CG, too.

Well, this place was an absolutely amazing site. Clean flush toilets and running water in the bathrooms. This was a first come first serve site, and we didn't have any issue getting a site at 5pm. It was so incredibly quiet and peaceful AND within walking distance to the actual monument trail. Would have stayed longer if we weren't headed back East! Had great cell coverage as well.

I had site 31 which was level and with a shade structure. Few sites able to accommodate big rigs but fine for shorter ones. Can get super hot during the day. 90's when there in mid-sept. 40 degree drop at night so great sleeping weather. sites are spread out and some have killer views. The trail to view ruins is fairly easy 2.5 miles. there is water limit of 5 gallons. Didn't use toilet so can't vouch but, rest of cg very clean. Fires ok in rings with grate. Surprisingly good Verizon cell service.

The silence in this campground, even though full on a Saturday night, is absolutely impressive. A private camper with a telescope the size of a whiskey barrel tells everyone that while he’s not an official park representative, he’d be happy to let any and everyone look at the stars with him tonight. A meteor shower fails to show up until 3am so the blanket of stars will have to suffice.

While it doesn’t reach frigid temperatures here in late April, I imagine Winter tenters huddling in the heated bathroom. A four mile trail to the Holly Ruins begins immediately behind our campsite and within a few minutes we’re descending rocks that lead through this crack in the boulders that feels like a scene from Labyrinth, intriguingly scary and something I’m glad to step out of as quickly as possible. Buzzing moths and brave fuzzy bees make for a nice morning concert and the Junior ranger program challenges even our experienced young travelers. The ranger at the visitor center is one of those patient caring types who takes all the time in the day to chat through our boys’ books and her voice oozes with a love for this park that’s every bit as refreshing as the lingering ice water in our Hydros.

A few RVs have managed to snag the four or five spots that accommodate them while the remaining many small campsites are filled with Four Wheel Campers, mini van road trippers and bicycling tenters gone well out of their long distance way. We watch as another perfect National Monument experience goes further away than it appears in our rear view...

We stayed in this campground in February and had the place mostly to ourselves. We didn't have reservations, so we stopped at the ranger station on the way in. The rangers were helpful and provided information about the camping and the local hikes.

We stayed in an RV only site which was nice and flat. There is no electric or water in the sites. The bathrooms have water, but no showers. Each site has a shelter over the camp table and a fire ring.

The Ruins Hike which can be started near the entrance of the campground is a very worthwhile hike with well preserved ruins. We saw a long eared owl on our hike, which added some excitement for the hike. Even though they are common for the area, they are huge and very cool to see.

This was part of our grand before Christmas 2017 adventure! I am a planner and had our dates and places to see down to the minute. All my planning went out the window when we rolled into the Hovenweep Campground! We immediately made a decision to stay an extra night and what a good decision it was! The campground is small, beautiful, clean and during the week before Christmas completely empty! Plan on coming fully filled with fresh water and empty gray/black tanks and plan to stay a while. The scenery is incredible and the hikes are wonderful! Our favorite was the Holly Group, but each hike was fantastic! The weather was a bit cool at night......ok, it was frigid, but it was in the 40's and sunny during the day - perfect temperature to hike and explore. Funny enough Sprint actually worked - complete shocker as we were prepared with our Verizon wifi! We will definitely be back!!

The campground was very nice, staff and guest were all very respectful. Pets are allowed but must be leashed and cleaned up after. All sites are dry camping, there is water with a 5 gallon limit at the visitor center before you get the campground. Bathrooms were clean with flushing toilets. Trails were well marked and documented both on the trail and with maps or information from the visitor center. The only downside was no mobile phone service anywhere in the 4 corners area that I could find for T-Mobile. There was 911 service on my T-Mobile phone through another carrier but no data, txt or basic phone services.