Square Tower Group Loop
Visitor centers
Along the way HVVC - Visitor Center
Trailhead Ruins Loop Trailhead 5,244 ft Drive there
Hike the Square Tower Group Loop Trail the Park Service's write-up
dogs allowed · season Trails may icy and slippery in the winter. This trail has little shade.
Start Square Tower Group
This two mile loop trail starts at the visitor center and circles around the Square Tower Group structures / Little Ruin Canyon. The trail starts as sidewalk down to the overlook, then veers off in either direction (and loops back around) to circle the canyon. A portion of this trail crosses the canyon, with 80 feet of elevation gain and loss on stairs. The primitive trail is lined with rocks and passes within 5-10 feet of most of the structures, allowing visitors an uninterrupted and natural view of these architectural wonders. A trail guide gives historical information and insight into the towers, but we encourage you to ponder the day-to-day life of the ancestral Pueblo people who lived here.
The Square Tower Group is Hovenweep’s largest and most convenient collection of standing structures. Ten buildings perch on the rim of Little Ruin Canyon; the remains of several more are crumbled down the canyon walls. Some of the most popular and unique structures in the Four Corners region are in this canyon: Hovenweep Castle, Twin Towers, and Square Tower, for which the group is named.
You don’t have to walk the entire loop to see and enjoy the Square Tower Group. Several out-and-back hikes give plenty of options to do as little or as much as you can or want.
Visiting Respectfully
These structures may seem long-abandoned, but they are ancestral homes for the modern Pueblo peoples, many of whom believe their ancestors inhabit them still. Hovenweep National Monument was established to protect these places. Help us protect these dwellings by remaining on trail, not touching or entering any structure, and leaving any artifact in place. Thank you for doing your part and visiting respectfully!
Accessibility The first 300 yards from the visitor center to the canyon overlook are paved. At the overlook, the trail turns to primitive slickrock, dirt, and gravel. Most of the trail is on top of the canyon with very little elevation change and a few steps up or down onto rock. However, part of the trail crosses the canyon, descending 80 feet into the canyon and ascending 80 feet to reach the other side. There are also 4 benches placed along the trail in the shade. This trail is not wheelchair accessible.
Walk to the Square Tower Group Overlook the Park Service's write-up
10-30 Minutes · dogs allowed · season Trails may be slippery or icy in winter. This trail has little shade and will be hot in the summer.
Start Hovenweep Visitor Center
This overlook is your gateway to the Square Tower Group and often your first glimpse of Hovenweep’s ancestral Puebloan structures. Just a 10-minute walk from the visitor center, the overlook provides scenic views of the surrounding landscape, Little Ruin Canyon, and several of the Square Tower Group structures. It is also the beginning of the Square Tower Group rim trail.
The paved overlook trail beings at the visitor center; round-trip length is 0.32 miles (0.5 kilometers). Along the way, placards identify native plants.
The Square Tower Group is Hovenweep’s largest collection of standing structures. From the overlook, you can see Stronghold House, Twin Towers, Eroded Boulder House, and Tower Point. Waysides at the overlook identify and interpret these structures.
Visiting Respectfully
These structures may seem long-abandoned, but they are ancestral homes for the modern Pueblo peoples, many of whom believe their ancestors inhabit them still. Hovenweep National Monument was established to protect these places. Help us protect these dwellings by remaining on trail, not touching or entering any structure, and leaving any artifact in place. Thank you for doing your part and visiting respectfully!
Accessibility The overlook trail is paved sidewalk. The trail curves a few times and declines 33 feet down to the overlook. There is a total ascent of 33 feet when returning to the visitor center. There are benches at the trailhead/ visitor center, a bench halfway down the trail, and a bench at the overlook. Total trail length (round trip) is 0.32 miles, or about 600 yards (0.5 kilometers).