Hovenweep National Monument

10/26/2026

It's that time of year! The rattlesnakes are out sunning themselves in the park from time to time. Be cautious about using earbuds when hiking - you might miss their warnings. It's also important to keep dogs leashed so you know what they're sniffing (the closest vet is over an hour away from us). The rattlesnakes around here aren't aggressive, so just give them plenty of space and you should be fine!

NPS/Colin Purdy
[Video: a rattlesnake curled up under a shrub sticking its tongue in and out while shaking its rattles. Audio: the sound of rattling and a slight breeze in the background.]

10/23/2026

The rain we've been getting this past week has been an incredible sight to see at Hovenweep! Visitors often ask how Ancestral Puebloans could thrive like they did in the high desert, but one good rainfall delivers an incredible amount of water. Ingenious use of check dams and potholes enabled them to make the rain last.

NPS/N.Barber

10/21/2026

Thank you so much to Hopi carver Cory Ahownewa for coming to Hovenweep and sharing his talent with the public. For 4 days he carved, painted, and educated people from all over the world about his culture and traditions. Demonstrators like Cory bring this site to life in an entirely new way, and we look forward to continuing this program next year, so stay tuned to our website (nps.gov/hove).

A huge thanks to Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks for funding this year's cultural demonstration programs (foacp.org).

NPS/N. Barber

10/20/2026

You never know where you'll catch the beautiful moments at Hovenweep. Just as the rain was ending last week, a golden sunset caught the last few sprinkles in a pothole along the trail. Take your time on the trail - it just might surprise you!

(Video c/o Sky Bristol)


[Video: rain drops falling on a small pool of water in the sandstone with a golden sky in the background and reflected in the water. Audio: none]

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

We're excited to announce that October 15th - 18th, Hopi Carver Cory Ahownewa will be demonstrating at Hovenweep National Monument!

Cory is from the Hopi Village of Hotevilla. He is from the Badger and Butterfly Clan and has been carving Traditional Old Style Katsina Dolls since he was initiated at the age of thirteen.

Cory uses paints made from locally sourced earth pigments, naturally occurring minerals, principally iron oxides, that have been used in paints for thousands of years for their natural color. His attention to detail and devotion to traditional methods makes his work truly exceptional.

Come watch him demonstrate and learn more about his culture and traditions!
https://www.nps.gov/hove/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

(Photo c/o Cory Ahownewa)

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

09/28/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ramson Lomatewama will not be able to demonstrate at Hovenweep in October. However, we look forward to having him out here in the spring!
Keep an eye on our website for the dates: https://www.nps.gov/hove/index.htm

Photo c/o Ramson Lomatewama

09/15/2026

This Saturday night from 9pm - 10pm we celebrate International Observe the Moon Night at !

9:00-9:30 Wanda Ketchum (Dine) presents "Grandmother Moon"
9:30-10:00 Ranger Colin Purdy's moon talk
10:00 - Visitors can look through the park's telescope and astronomy binoculars to see our orbiting neighbor up close!

Complimentary refreshments while supplies last.
https://www.nps.gov/hove/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Want to stay overnight? Reserve a spot in our campground on recreation.gov.

Photo: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

09/12/2026

Are you interested in working for the National Park Service, but have been baffled trying to navigate the USA Jobs website?

Park Ranger Scott Gausen will breakdown, simplify, and de-mystify the process free of charge!

There are 2 chances to join Scott's programs where you'll learn how to build your resume, decode the job titles and language, understand the application process, and more:

- September 15th 5:30pm - 6:30pm at the Monticello Public Library
- September 30th 5:30pm - 6:30pm at the Blanding Public Library

Everyone is welcome - we hope to see you there!


(Photo: Adobe Stock)

09/06/2026

Looking for a place to volunteer and spend some time in the southwest during the best time of the year? Hovenweep National Monument is looking for a volunteer with an RV for our visitor services division from mid-September through October.

Volunteers are on 4 days a week (32 hours) and off for 3. Plenty of time to explore the surrounding region and get some phenomenal hikes in! Help us with visitor center operations, orienting hikers to the park, running the (cashless) park store, helping out Junior Rangers, and more!

Follow the link to apply: https://ow.ly/3Kgm50ZIVI6

Photo/Stephen Bridgehouse

09/04/2026

One of the many dragonflies you may spot walking the trail at Hovenweep is the extremely adaptable variegated meadowhawk. These little critters stand out for a couple of reasons.

One is that they will launch off of grass or low shrubs in short bursts and catch their prey mid-flight before returning with it back to their perch.

The other reason is that they are one of the few meadowhawk species that migrate. Migrations go as far south as Honduras and as far west as parts of Asia using paths along the coast. They appear to use the sun as a compass and stay on a relatively fixed direction, staying about 9-10 feet off the ground.

They have beautiful tail patterns, so keep an eye out for these adventurous travelers when you're at the site.

NPS/Dominic Dudley