The best camping near Hovenweep National Monument

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hovenweep National Monument adventure.

100% (2 reviews)
100% (2 reviews)

This national monument was once a haven for more than 2,500 people.  

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Community favorites near Hovenweep National Monument

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Hovenweep National Monument

94%
(1414)

The Needles Outpost Campground

55 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Monticello , UT
This Outpost and campground is located on 300 acres of private property surrounded by park and public land. It has been here for over 30 years in some form or another. We are Caleb & Amber who enjoyed managing this little oasis in the middle of the desert from March to June of 2017 when we decided to purchase the business & make it our own. This is a dry, rugged campground with a bathhouse that provides coin operated showers and flush toilets. In addition there is little old rustic camp store placed in the middle of nowhere where we provide fuel, snacks, firewood, ice, showers, cold drinks & more. If you are looking for a more private site with lots of space and shade, book our Small Group at the Rocks. For a warmer stay during the cooler months book one of our Glamping Tents listed. We have the larger, and spacious tent in the grove of the Juniper Trees (which is also amazing in the warmer season) and rent a heater from us inside the general/camp store. BE SURE TO GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO CHECK IN NO LATER THAN 5PM. THANK YOU!! DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A SCREEN SHOT OF THE DIRECTIONS HERE, YOU WILL LOSE SERVICE ON YOUR WAY.
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$34
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98%
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Bright Star Campground

33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Cortez, CO
We have COMPLIMENTARY Wifi, Drinking Water, Ice, Hot Showers, Bathrooms, Shade, and an equipped Camper's Kitchen for our guests to enjoy from April 15 - Oct 15! There are TIPIS, CAMPING CABINS, TENT and BOONDOCK SITES. WE ALSO HAVE A NAVAJO HOGAN (wood yurt) OPEN-YEAR ROUND. All of our sites are not listed here. We can also accommodate groups and small events but not public events. We have a private covered group site as well. Bright Star Campground: Once used as a church camp, it is now a Campground for all to enjoy! We are a perfectly located vacation campground on 40 acres with amenities and wide-open spaces. Amenities include hot showers, an equipped community kitchen, a pavilion with hammocks, tables, ping pong, etc. Enjoy complimentary coffee, eggs, filtered drinking water and more. Bright Star Campground is located in the Great Sage Plain in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park with panoramic mountain/mesa views of the Four Corners region, all only 5 miles southeast of Cortez. We are in an arid desert climate. Water is scarce, stored in cisterns for use in camp. Because of this we ask that you be conservative with water use in camp. We are a cannabis-friendly destination but ask that Cannabis use stay at your campsite, cabin or tipi. There are many things to do/see nearby: Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument and Phil's World Mountain Biking. Raft down the Dolores river, maybe rent a SUP or kayak and chill on a quiet reservoir. There are museums and cultural centers in the area as well. Durango is 45 min, Telluride is 1.5 hrs away, and Moab is about 2.5 hours away-including Arches and Canyonlands National parks. The best/nearest airport is in Durango. Cortez has Denver Air (Key Lime Air) with connections to Denver and Phoenix. The nearest large international airport is in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.
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$38
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96%
(548)

Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

10 sites · RVs, Tents19 acres · Blanding, UT
Watch the sun come up over the Sleeping Ute Mountain in Colorado and enjoy a gorgeous sunset as the sun sets over the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. We are off the grid and have no electricity or water. Our graveled camping sites are easy to access. We are located next to a paved road. You do not need high clearance vehicles or 4-wheel drive. Camp in a natural high desert environment consisting of cedar and pinion trees, Brigham tea, sagebrush, etc. Great views of the night sky. An ancient Indian mound is on site. The Five Kiva Ruin and Nations Natural Bridge are within hiking distance. Minutes away is the town of Blanding with restaurants, hospital, gas stations and a dump station. Its only a short drive to five different National Monuments: Bears Ears, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, Hovenweep, and Canyon of The Ancients. Take a scenic drive over the Blue Mountain and Elk Ridge. Southeastern Utah is full of archeology history to hike and explore.
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$25
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95%
(174)

Where The Wild Things Camp

17 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · La Sal, UT
Come camp Where The Wild Things Camp! Let the awe-inspiring views of the majestic slick rock, sage and juniper surround you in the peace and quiet of this beautifully secluded desert space. Centrally located to the best Canyonlands has to offer, our camp is located on 25 acres less than half a mile from Looking Glass Arch, a popular rock climbing destination which got its name from the conquistadors who would climb to the top and look through a “looking glass” for landmarks that would lead them back to Santa Fe.  Moab is 25 miles to our North, about a 30 minute drive. The nearest convenience store/gas station is in the tiny town of La Sal, 12 miles NE of us. Although the Lasal Jct. now has burger truck, showers, ice and snacks. The nearby La Sal mountains rise to over 12,000 in elevation and is a great place to get out of the heat and enjoy lakes surrounded by beautiful pine and aspen forests. As the name suggests, Where The Wild Things Camp truly is wild and not for everyone. We are off grid, meaning there is NO electricity, no drinking water, and only "spotty" cell phone service is best just anywhere before bathrooms. Make sure to check the weather forecast before coming out and be prepared for anything as the weather here in the desert can be unpredictable and ALWAYS stake down your tents! Porta-Potty's available. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRACTICE PACK-IT-IN AND PACK-IT-OUT. Trash service not available. NON-AGGRESSIVE dogs are always welcome, however please keep in mind that a lot of our wild friends also live here, such as coyotes, rattlesnakes, deer and antelope. We wouldn’t want your pets or our friends harmed in any way! From Moab: Drive south on Hwy 191 for approximately 23 miles and turn right (east) onto Looking Glass Rd/Co. Rd. 131 (It will be the first right after La Sal Junction) Continue on this road for 1.4 miles until you see a wide gravel road branching off to the left. Turn left, this road will branch again in .03 miles, turn to the right and continue straight (another .5 mile to WHERE THE WILD THINGS CAMP!! From Monticello: Drive north on Hwy 191 for approximately 31 miles and turn left onto Looking Glass Rd/Co. Rd 131 (It will be the first left after Wilson Arch). https://earth.google.com/earth... Moab: 25 miles Canyon Rims Recreation Area: 12 miles La Sal: 12 miles Monticello: 33 miles Blanding: 54 miles Bluff: 79 miles Mexican Hat: 104 miles Monument Valley: 126 miles
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$45
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100%
(154)

Glamping Canyonlands

15 sites · Lodging22 acres · Monticello, UT
We are outdoor enthusiasts; love hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, mountain biking, snowboarding, etc. As we've gotten older, our pace has admittedly slowed down, but we still get out there whenever we can. We also love food, travel, music, life, our fur babies and a lot of other things. Glamping Canyonlands is an off-the-grid property with four 16.5 ft and one 16x24 ft canvas wall tent, a glamping pod and NEW air conditioned Skylight Casita. The tents are furnished with a comfortable memory foam queen mattress fitted with bedding, extra blankets, seating for two, area rugs, end tables, string lights, board games, first aid kit, hand sanitizer, phone battery pack, small battery operated fans, 2 deck chairs, private firepit with grill top, hammocks & picnic table. Communal areas are bathrooms with a flushing toilet, warm shower, outdoor kitchen, and, picnic tables. French press coffee each morning. Starlink Internet is available. Late check-ins are available. You will receive more information closer to your arrival date. The small town of Monticello-15 mins, Newspaper Rock-15 mins, Foy Lake-25 mins, Canyonlands NP-40 mins, Moab-40 mins, Arches-50 mins. We've been married since 2012 and best friends since 2006. In fact, it was our honeymoon in the Canyonlands National Park that inspired us to open Glamping Canyonlands, our eco-friendly, off-grid campground. If there is anything specific you'd like to know about us, just ask! We hope we get the opportunity to meet you in the near future!
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$140
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95%
(10)

Sleeping Under the Mesa Verde

2 sites · RVs, Tents500 acres · Cortez, CO
We are conveniently located under the Mesa Verdes and next door to the world renowned Phills World Bike Trails. The Views include, Ute Mountain, Telluride, Lizard Head Pass and many more. You are 10 miles south of Boggy Draw Trail system and 10 miles from the Mesa Verde Park entrance. You can also just hang out and hike the 430 Acre property with pre-approved permission. It is an active ranch so there is usually always livestock roaming. Pets are acceptable, it's a ranch animal are always welcome. We have the one site now that is a leveled concrete pad with water and power. If you are visiting Cortez, CO and looking to camp or have an RV or camper in the back of the pick-up, we can find a place to let you enjoy the stay here. Directions. South on CR 27 off of HWY 160 till you get to CR H, Make a Left and its one mile on the right side of the Road.
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$30
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97%
(590)

Adventure Haven RV

8 sites · RVs1 acre · La Sal, UT
Hello! Please note we are RV's only, and that we do not have restrooms. ALL five sites have FULL hookups and strong WiFi. We are 27 miles south of Moab. Please read to the bottom of this description, we are open about what this place is like and we care about your experience. What kind of people LIKE the Adventure Haven? Those who like peace and quiet and dark skies. Relaxed full-time RVers, work-at-homes who need strong and fast WiFi, folks on a budget, those who like to support Hipcamp hosts, people looking for inside local information, solo travelers who want to feel safe yet not in a crowded place - like they’re near someone they know, and in a quiet, small town where unusual things are noticed. What kind of people DON’T like the Adventure Haven? People on high-pressure vacations who did not read the listing and expected a commercial RV resort. People who are uncomfortable with rural eye-sores (old cars, and slow projects). People who like street lights, sidewalks and curb appeal. Party people and special event groups (not allowed here). Let’s have a pretend conversation to make sure this place is a good fit for you! James and Linda: Hello Hipcamper, did you read our listing? We are overstating things because we care about your experience and we know your trip is important. We are located in a funky rural subdivision that has a wonderful view of beautiful nearby mountains. YOU: Yes we did read it and a rural, working class Utah vibe is fine with us. We’re not expecting a RV resort, we just want to be away from the noise and hustle of Moab, and we’re looking for a good value. What a great view of the mountain! (We’ll just ignore that old trailer across the street in the other direction.) The park has so much open space and only five spots! It is really relaxed. Wow - the WiFi is solid! We can work from home here; it is so reliable and fast (fiber optic). Your insider information on the area will be a great help to us; who could put a value on that? You say the night skies are some of the darkest anywhere? We already feel the freedom here. This place is great! The funky neighborhood is just part of the adventure. James and Linda: Good, we want you to be happy! We like it here, and many other people have grown to love it too; just look at our reviews! ****If you want a long stay and the calendar shows we are full, please contact us because we might be able to work it out! The Adventure Haven is a five site mini-RV park located in an old and sparsely occupied town with a population of about 300. A uranium boom town in the 1950's, La Sal is now a shadow of past times (and littered with artifact trailers and structures). But we are in beautiful high desert country and we are at the foothills of the La Sal Mountains and the park has a completely unobstructed view of this range! All sites have water, sewer, WiFi, and 30 amp electric service (two have 50amp). We also have two fire rings with a view to the mountain, and two portable fire pits. All sites have tables. Our park is new, clean and open with a solid road base surface. Sites can accommodate 40 foot plus units, but all require some backing. The La Sal vibe: as in any rural community, old junk is seen as valuable assets, and "curb appeal" is not in the local vocabulary (actually we don't have curbs or street lights here, and half the town has dirt roads). But it is peaceful here, a refreshing get away. We have some of the darkest skies anywhere, and hours can go by with no traffic at all. Welcome to rural Utah! We have built a tall privacy fence so you don't have to look at our treasure. Looking north and west, the Adventure Haven feels fairly secluded: houses are mostly obscured or out of sight in these directions. A row of large aspen trees is along one side of the camp with our neighbor obscured (when the trees have leaves), but not far away. Two funky old house trailers are visible to the south (just across the street), but camps face North with unobstructed views to the mountain. We are on the very northwest edge of this old community. This is not a place for a late night party, but it is a good place for normal gatherings. (You can stay up late and enjoy the night sky and talk, but if you get wild we will talk with you about it.) People in general find it to be quite nice as well as a good value. The Adventure Haven feels open, public and safe to most people. Funky and rural, in high pristine desert with a sweet view of the mountain is the overall vibe. The Needles district of Canyonlands is about 1 hour from Camp; Moab and Arches National Park are only 35 minutes away, and there are exciting features to explore right in our neighborhood. • Looking Glass Arch, Lopez Arch and Wilson Arch are all about 15 minutes away! • The world-famous motorcycle route, Colorado 90, begins just 12 miles away, with fine scenery all the way. • Hook and Ladder OHV Trail system is less that five miles from the Adventure Haven, the dirt starting in only 2. The Rim Rocker Trail can be accessed from here as well by driving a few miles on pavement. • Forest Service access to the La Sal Mountains is less than 7 miles away for an escape into alpine coolness, with fishing at Medicine Lake 15 miles from here. Note: Only mellow, quiet, and controlled pets are allowed here, and only two per site. Pets must be on a leash and owners must pick up after them. Please tell us about your pet in the booking request. Please consider that this place may not be suitable for your children. The perimeter is well marked, but is not child proof and there are hazards, such as an irrigation ditch, beyond it (running now). We also lack a play area, but there is a nice one at the elementary school 2.5 miles away. Thanks for reading this!
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$47
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95%
(104)

Indian Canyon Ranch

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Monticello, UT
Please be advised, that during heavy rain four-wheel drive may be necessary but in all cases low clearance vehicles are not ideal on the last section of road but if you arrive before dark and go slow any vehicle can make it. Units are not heated. Please plan to show up before dark for the best experience and ease of finding the location. Indian Canyon Ranch is proud to be an independent, off grid property with limited solar power and water available. There are no RV hook ups available but there is limited solar power in the rental units and in the communal area but not in the primitive campsites. Campsites are primitive camping only. Showers in the main communal area are solar powered and only hot with the sun and for an hour or so after sunset Joe purchased this property in 2008. At that time, it was 8 acres, and it is now at 20 acres continuous property. The ranch is situated 2 miles off the highway down a bumpy dirt road on the edge of the national forest, this gives you a feeling of being in the wilderness. The south and east sides are boarded by canyons and ruins. All other private properties in the area are 10 acres or more so are well spread out and sparsely populated. All the structures on site were brought here piece by piece and were salvaged from construction projects in Yosemite and Grand Canyon national parks. Water is manually hauled in and the power in the kitchen area is solar generated so please be conscious of water and power use.
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$23.75
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95%
(63)

Anasazi Sites @ Ancient Echoes

6 sites · RVs, Tents38 acres · Cortez, CO
Under new stewardship beginning January, 2021, we have been working day and night for the past three and a half years caring for the land and renovating the historic lodge with a commitment to beauty, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and efficiency. This magical place, surrounded by over 500,000 acres of protected land, is a 38 acre desert oasis near Mesa Verde, Sand Canyon and Hovenweep. Pitch your tent or park your small pop up or tiny rv (car and pull behind must be under 20 ft total) in a heritage orchard under and alongside magnificent red cliffs. Guests can enjoy produce from our community gardens, fruit from the orchard when ripe and a well stocked community kitchen to cook in, as well as gas and charcoal bar-b-ques. We also have a bathroom and hot shower designated for campers as well as an additional public bathroom in the main lodge. Guests have full access to the grounds with a variety of lovely sit spots throughout, consisting of hammocks, chairs, and tables with sun umbrellas where you can work on your computer (if you must, we do have fast reliable wifi), nap, read a good book, or daydream, as well as three unique red rock canyons that merge here, with pour overs that become rushing waterfalls when we are blessed with a good rain. Both an archeological and horticultural preserve, the property includes pear, apricot, mulberry, and peach trees, as well as a 50 plus year old apple orchard planted by George Kelly, a renowned horticulturist from Denver who came here in the 1960's with his wife Sue to create an oasis in the desert. You will also find hundreds of mature native and introduced trees, annual and perennial flowers, native grasses, and cacti throughout the property. We also have a labyrinth that begins directly below Sleeping Ute Mountain range which guests may ambulate. Guests also have access to The Lodge, the original hacienda on the property built by George Kelly in the mid 1960's. You are welcome to relax at one of the tables in the shaded lodge patio, surrounded by perennial gardens and mature trees, as well as hang out and visit in the newly remodeled lodge living/dining room on a cozy couch in front of an aspen log gas fireplace. The space has plenty of board games to entertain, and fabulous art from all over the world. The lodge also has a wonderfully eclectic and fascinating library, curated by 4 different sets of stewards over 50 years, which you are welcome to explore and borrow from during your stay. There is a desk with a guest computer and printer for your use in the library, as well as maps of the area, brochures, and a public bathroom nearby. We border Canyons of the Ancients immediately to the North, a 174,000 acre National Monument with the largest concentration of Ancestral Puebloan ("cliff-dweller") and archeological sites in the United States. A favorite public access point to The Canyons of the Ancients is the Sand Canyon trailhead, a five minute drive from the property up the main road. It is visited by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders alike. McElmo creek flows along the Southern Border of the property and the highest peak of The Ute Mountain Range towers over us to the South. This 300,000 plus acres of wild land was valued as a sacred place by the Weeminuche Ute band. It still plays an important role in the ceremonies of their descendants, the Ute Mountain Tribe, and is not open to the public. We are a genuine "oasis" on exquisite high desert land with profound ancient puebloan sites within steps. Guests have access to numerous significant, documented prehistoric Anasazi/Ancient Puebloan sites throughout the property, including the remains of a 13 room pueblo and 2 intact kivas, one of which has been restored by Road Scholar Groups, staying here over the past forty years, alongside archeologists from The Canyons of the Ancients. These sites date from the mid-Pueblo II to mid Pueblo III periods (ca. AD nine eighty- twelve twenty five) and guests are welcome to climb down inside the kivas and experience an intimate and awe inspiring encounter with the way our ancestors lived over a thousand years ago. Guests may follow our self-guided tour, originally known as “George Kelly’s 39-cent tour,” to visit each of the 12 main archeological sites on the property and learn about their history. It is very unusual to have this sort of intimacy with the ancients. Sutcliffe Vineyard, with exceptional biodynamic wines and fabulous atmosphere, is five minutes away down road G and is open every afternoon for wine tastings. You can book a trail ride into the Monument to see Ancestral sites with our immediate neighbors to the west, Rodney and Kristi Carriker of Canyon Trails Ranch, former stewards of Kelly Place from the early 1980's to 2004. Our neighbors up the driveway have fruit orchards galore (apples, pears, plums, apricots, and peaches) as well as locally raised lamb and pasture raised chickens. All we need to do is make a phone call and Kim will come down with as many pasture raised fresh eggs as you want for a bargain. There are farmers and seed savers throughout the McElmo canyon, and local farm stands and farmers markets in the canyon, Cortez, Dolores, and Mancos can be found Wednesday through Saturday from June-October. Hovenweep is a thirty minute drive past the Sand canyon trail head and the entrance to Mesa Verde is a 40 minute drive back through Cortez. Ute Mountain Tribal park is an easy thirty minute drive towards four corners. Farther out you'll find Valley of the Gods, Canyon de Chelly, Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness area, Monument Valley, Chaco Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park. Wonderful live music, art, restaurants and wild adventures are easily accessed in the nearby mountain ski/biking/hiking/rafting towns of Durango and Telluride. A little closer to home you can explore the mostly undiscovered Colorado towns of Mancos, a growing artist community and Dolores, known for the beauty of the McPhee Reservoir and the Dolores river that flows through this eclectic small town. Truly a magical, unique, and abundant place. Ancient Echoes @ Kelly Place is an ideal home base for your Southwest adventure.
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$70
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The best camping near Hovenweep National Monument guide

Overview

About

Combine history and a remote location at this ancestral Puebloan site. Hovenweep is a word meaning "deserted valley" in the Ute language. It's a fitting name for this seemingly desolate place on the Colorado-Utah border. The main draw is the historic structures. Some of which date back to the year 900.

Red and brown bricks form walls nearly three stories tall. Cutthroat Castle is the largest of these buildings.

The settlement spans six separate villages spread out along Allen and Hovenweep Canyons. Some have circular towers that look as if they belong in a majestic royal castle. Others have small windows for air circulation.

These ruins were once a bustling Pueblo enclave around 400 years before the arrival of Europeans. Some artwork still adorns the canyon walls. One such depiction notes the summer solstice, much like Stonehenge.

The 31-site campground stays open year-round near the visitor center. Sites are mostly for tents, but a few can handle RVs up to 36 feet long.

Notable campgrounds

  • Spend a serene night at Hovenweep's campground, where the stars illuminate the ancient structures.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Arrive early to secure a spot at the first-come, first-served campground.
  • Visit during off-peak seasons for a better chance at snagging a campsite.
  • Prepare for a rustic experience, as amenities may be limited.
  • Explore nearby camping options in case the campground is full.

When to go

Hovenweep National Monument is open year-round, offering a unique experience in every season. The best time to visit is during spring and fall when the weather is mild. Winter brings reduced services and unpredictable weather, so be prepared for all conditions if you visit during the colder months.

Know before you go

  • Check the weather forecast and trail conditions before your visit.
  • Visitor services are reduced in winter; plan accordingly.
  • Bring plenty of water and sun protection for your adventures.
  • Respect the ancient structures and leave no trace of your visit.
  • Start your visit at the Visitor Center for maps and information from friendly rangers.
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