Cross Canyon and the other canyons in the vicinity make up some very rugged country. But even so, there are plenty of reasons to visit the area. This area offers some great locations to camp while visiting Hovenweep National Monument, just to the east.

To reach Cross Canyon, from the entrance to Hovenweep National Monument, travel north on Pleasantview road about 2.5 miles. Here you will see a sign on your right, or east indicating Little Cajon Lake. You will see a sign to the west indicating Cross Canyon. Heading west you will come to switchback dropping you down into the canyon after about one mile. If you continue on through Cross Canyon you will eventually reach Montezuma Creek. All the major drainages come in from the north.Once you get to the canyon bottom, keep your eyes open for ruins. Depending on which side canyon you decide to explore, you might see towers such as those at Hovenweep, isolated living structures, groups of graneries, larger groups of structures including terracing and water containment features, historic homesteads and pictograph and petroglyph panels, both ancient and historic.

For planning purposes the Bluff, 1:100,000 metric map covers this region. There are many 1:24,000 mapsheets needed for the area so be sure to plan ahead and bring along those you need. Some of the mapsheets may be available for sale at the Hovenweep visitors center.

This is the area where the three fugitives disappeared in 1998. For more information on the crime visit our Four Corners Fugitive Search page.