Cajon is Hovenweep's least-visited unit, but often a ranger's favorite. The solitude only adds to Cajon's charm and the site is easily seen from a short walk. Also seen are Four Corners landmarks like Shiprock, Bears Ears, and Monument Valley.
Cutthroat Castle is Hovenweep's northernmost unit. Surrounded by pinyon pine and desert views, the community is unique in its amount of kivas compared to other structures.
Holly House is part of Holly Unit, one of Hovenweep's outlying communities. The structure sits on the rim of Keeley canyon at the canyon head, next to Holly Tower and Tilted Tower.
Holly Tower is iconic and even featured on Hovenweep's International Dark Sky Park postcard. The tower seems to have been built without scaffolding, from the inside out. If your vehicle can make the road to Holly Unit, Holly Tower is a must-see.
Horseshoe Tower is the first structure you'll see along the Horseshoe / Hackberry Trail. Take a moment to enjoy the view the people who used this structure enjoyed - a sweeping view of what is now Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
The most popular structure in the monument, Hovenweep Castle is featured everywhere the monument is mentioned. If you can muster the 1 mile roundtrip hike from the visitor center, this ancestral Puebloan structure is a must-see.
Hovenweep House does not have the same fame as Hovenweep Castle, but may have actually been the larger complex in the Square Tower Group. Hovenweep House is perched on the canyon rim above Square Tower and completes the canyon head view.
While Rimrock House may not be the destination, is certainly is a worthwhile part of the journey. In pondering the purpose of these ancestral Puebloan structures, consider that Rimrock House was probably not a house at all. The structure has no room dividers within, but still boasts a rim-side perch.
Square Tower, for which the structure group is named, sits at the canyon head. This tall, this tower has mystified archeologists, rangers, and visitors alike. Why was it built? Whatever the answer may be, we can all appreciate the tower’s expert craftmanship and the skill of the masons who built it.
The first ancestral Puebloan structure you’ll see in Square Tower Group. Perched at the mouth of the canyon, Stronghold House looks a formidable sight. The name is indicative of its placing and appearance, but we don’t know its actual use.
Tilted Tower is the first structure you see when hiking from the Holly parking area. The Tower used to stand tall on the canyon rim, but crumbled sometime after the ancestral Puebloans left the area. Now, only the foundation remains, glued to the tilted boulder just below the rim.
A popular photo spot, Tower Point is accessed via a short side trail from the main loop. The trail is close to the tower, and the point gives fantastic views of the canyon and Sleeping Ute Mountain.
Twin Towers is a famous set of structures in the Square Tower Group. Easily studied from the overlook, this pair of ancestral Puebloan structures were constructed less than one foot apart on the canyon rim.
Unit Type House is the name archaeologists gave to a basic building plan they noticed early on at sites in the Southwest. This one is a perfect example – a few living and storage rooms and one kiva – possibly home to a family or a clan.
