Best Camping in and near Hovenweep National Monument

100% (2 reviews)

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

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Hovenweep National Monument

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Book externally

Public campgrounds in the park
Book externally

Stay at a public campground in Hovenweep National Monument

100%

(2)

Hovenweep Campground

31 sites · RVs, Tents In Hovenweep National Monument

from

$10

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Hovenweep National Monument

94%

(1282)

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.

96%

(458)

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.

98%

(89)

Where The Wild Things Camp

17 sites · RVs, Tents5 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. 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, its often windy (thank goodness for ALL the trees) but there is “spotty” cell phone service. Treat yourself to dinner next door at ULUM, a 5-star resort with a restaurant and bar! 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. Porta-Potty's available. PLEASE PRACTICE PACK-IT-IN AND PACK-IT-OUT. 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 (before entering ULUM) 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/d/1LNE4WnnOSypbZmVX_Z1uOCCNpkMgFDdl?usp=sharing 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

95%

(87)

Indian Canyon Ranch

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Monticello, UT

Joe purchased this property in 2008. At that time it was 8 acres it is currently now at 20 acres continuous property. The ranch is situated 2 miles off the highway on the edge of the vast national forest, areas this gives you a feeling of being in the wilderness. The south and east sides are boarded by canyons and ruins. All other properties in the area or 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 so please be conscious of water use.

96%

(402)

High Sage Hogans

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · La Sal, UT

Situated at 7,000 feet, campers are surrounded by the snow covered LaSal Mountains overlooking the deep Canyonlands NP of the Colorado River escarpment, and only 30 minutes from Moab, Utah. Summer temps are much cooler here than in the surrounding canyons and valleys of the Moab area, a very pleasant retreat from the heat! Virtually ALL outdoor sporting adventures are found around here in nearly limitless abundance, including winter sports, snowmobiling, off-roading, dirt-biking, 4-wheeling, and more. Campground has outdoor-potty, free firewood with pits.

95%

(199)

Camping in the Mesas

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Dolores, CO

This land was inhabited by the Ancient Anasazi and Pueblo people. The Anasazi Heritage Museum and archeological ruins are two miles away. There are ruins and sites on this land that have yet to be excavated. Many different ancient people came through this land, left and sites were inhabited by other people. One group of people would come and build upon the sites of another group, and taking part of their culture with them.

Booked 1 time

Montezuma Sheep Camp

1 site · Lodging104 acres · Monticello, UT

Our unique little shepherd's hut offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience for two. During your stay you can read your favorite book or sit back and listen to the sounds of nature. At the sheep camp there is no internet or power, but don't let that discourage you. We provide amazing scenery, beautiful night skies, lighting, a gas grill, cooking supplies and your own private detached bathroom with a hot shower and toilet. While at staying at the Montezuma Sheep Camp you can tour Montezuma Canyon, shop at the Montezuma Market or explore the ranch and visit our furry friends. Answers to FAQ and other information to know before booking: The Montezuma Sheep Camp is located at Montezuma Canyon Ranch & Vineyards. When you book with us you are not staying with a big corporation that owns many Airbnb rentals. You are staying at a family-owned ranch, we are your contacts, cleaners, and maintenance crew. We have three rentals, enough to stay busy but not so many that we lose our focus on good customer service. We care deeply about our ranch, our rentals and want your stay to be as amazing as possible. There is no cell service at the ranch, but we do have limited Wi-Fi and a ranch phone for emergencies. Wi-Fi is not available at the Sheep Camp, but you can access one of the networks around the ranch if necessary. We are located 16 miles southeast of Monticello Utah. It is a 30–40-minute drive to the nearest gas station and grocery store. 10.5 miles of that drive is dirt road. The scenery and peacefulness more than make up for the long trek to town. This may be a deal breaker for some, but I believe that these are two things that make this cabin and location truly special. There is nothing to interrupt the time spent with your company and enjoying the beauty of the canyon. We do not charge an additional cleaning fee. The cleaning is paid from a percentage of the total booking cost. About 9 miles before the sheep camp, you will lose cell service, if you need anything you can contact me before then. Dirt Road Conditions – The road is maintained by San Juan County Road Department. During the summer months the road is easy to travel. Winter Guests, December through February AWD or 4WD is required because of snow. November and March weather varies so always check in about road conditions. We do recommend having a good spare tire in your vehicle and if you plan on touring the canyon and high ground clearance is strongly recommended. Weather – Blanding Utah mirrors our weather and temperatures better than Monticello Utah. Monticello is a lot higher in elevation than the ranch and usually 10-15 degrees cooler than the ranch. The sheep camp is peaceful and a truly special camping experience with basic necessities provided. The sheep camp is small, but cozy. The outer dimensions are 12 foot long by 6-1/2 feet wide giving you 78sq. ft. of living space inside. Because of this, the bed is shorter than normal. Bed dimensions are 58" wide by 72" long. The sheep camp does not have power, but we do provide propane and solar lanterns for lighting. The sheep camp does have a separate private bathroom with a hot shower, toilet, and sink. We provide towels. Potable drinking water is available at the sheep camp in the bathroom and at an outdoor faucet. The sheep camp has a propane grill for cooking. We provide propane and basic food prep and cooking supplies. The primary heat source is a wood burning stove, we provide free firewood to heat the sheep camp. We also provide small propane heaters for your convenience. The coffee maker is a stove top percolator that can be used on the grill, and we provide coffee and sugar. We also provide a French press. The sheep camp does not have laundry facilities. Summer Guests - The sheep camp does not have air conditioning, but we have fresh canyon air and nice cross breezes. Specifically, July and August guests, we are in the desert, and it can get quite warm. If you like it hot, then we have the place for you. Outdoor Fire Pit - Please bring your own firewood to use the fire pit. We have firewood bundles available for purchase at the Montezuma Market for your convenience. Check-in is 4:00p.m. and check-out is 11:00a.m. We ask you to be prompt when checking out. We have a short window to prep for the next guests before their check-in time. Smoking is not allowed inside of the sheep camp. If you choose to smoke outside, please pick up after yourself and be conscious of fire danger and keep the yard and outdoor areas clean and litter free. We do not allow pets. Most local stores, including the grocery store are closed on Sunday. Convenience stores and the Family Dollar are open on Sunday. At the sheep camp we have a guest manual with detailed instructions on how to work everything. Also, there is a self-guided tour of Montezuma Canyon to enjoy. For local shopping and restaurant info check out my guidebook on Airbnb. Montezuma Market – Located at the ranch, we have fresh organic produce, eggs, preserves, pickles, and juice for sale. We also support local artisans and crafty friends by selling their wares. We accept Cash, Checks, Credit and Debit. The Grapevine Cave & Lounge is a manmade cave and is shared with 2 other property rentals at Montezuma Canyon Ranch & Vineyards. It is a great place to watch movies, hang out and play games. We do not have wine available yet. We are steadily working towards that goal. Check us out on our website and social media. There are dogs on the ranch, and you may meet them during your stay. The dogs are friendly and not aggressive. They will most likely bark if they see you because they don’t recognize you, but if you kindly greet them, they will be glad to come and say hello. Vinny is an Australian Cattle dog and likes to bark because he has a lot to say, Willy is a Chocolate Labrador and wants to walk between your legs to make sure you notice him. My three dogs, Mabel, Quigley and Ziggy come to work with me every day at the ranch. They will most likely run past on a mission to hunt squirrels and lizards.

100%

(186)

South-40@LaSal Tent and RV Park

4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · La Sal, UT

The South-40@LaSal Is: quiet, spacious, secluded, secure, and natural! We are located 26 miles southeast of Moab Utah. ( about a 30 minute drive from town or 40 minutes from Arches national Park.) This property is 40 acres of undeveloped Ranch land That borders the remote community of La Sal, Utah. We currently offer four (4) RV spots and several opportunities for tent camping. The RV spots include: Electric hook ups with (50amp, 30 amp, & 20 amp) water hydrants, Wi-Fi Internet, gray water disposal system, and solar powered sanitary vault toilet, Currently there are no sewer hook ups, black water dump . See more pictures and videos on FB at South-40 at LaSal

99%

(532)

Bright Star Campground

32 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.

97%

(528)

Adventure Haven RV

8 sites · RVs1 acre · La Sal, UT

The stream is running with snow melt and site 1,2 and 3 have wonderful brook noise! 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!

100%

(88)

Canyon Trails Ranch

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents250 acres · Cortez, CO

The homestead was built in 1911 and was one of the original postal pickups in the area. The ranch is located between Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and backs up to Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. Our family has lived in McElmo Canyon for over 40 years and the campground has hosted camping and outdoor educational groups since 1965. We are a family run ranch with an operating hay farm, horseback riding business, and carriage shop.

Booked 1 time

RedNeck Ranch

2 sites · Lodging9 acres · Blanding, UT

With just over 9 acres the RedNeck Ranch currently offers 2 accommodations. We have the cabin which is 2 bedroom 1 bath with a kitchenette and is attached to a camper trailer allowing up to 11 guests to stay. The second is a bunker underground with 1 bed a bathroom and a kitchenette allowing up to 3 guests (1 child in a cot). In the local area boasts many unique Indian ruins within walking distance. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, and atv use as well.

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.