Four Corners Monument

Some say you can’t be in more than one place at a time. We say pshaw! Clearly those naysayers have never been to the Four Corners Monument, where you can, in fact, be four places. A bronze disk marks the exact spot where four southwestern states come together. Consider it the ultimate circle of togetherness.

Four States

What are the four states in the four corners? Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona make up the (original) fab four. Besides the meeting of states, it also marks the land boundary of two American Indian nations. The 4 Corners Monument in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah are part of the Navajo Nation, while Colorado is home to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation.

It’s a bit out of the way — it is in the furthermost corner of each state — but it’s worth a little jaunt if you’re exploring Monument Valley or taking a Grand Circle Tour of national parks. 

Where to Stay

The Four Corners region, USA, is remote, with no accommodations or services. (There are self-contained toilets.) The nearest gas station is in Tee Nos Pos, Arizona, about 6 miles from the monument.

Although there are none adjacent, there are several restaurants and hotels near Four Corners Monument. Find them in:

• Shiprock, New Mexico: 33 miles
• Cortez, Colorado: 40 miles
• Bluff, Utah: 65 miles
• Kayenta, Arizona: 77 miles
• Monument Valley: 100 miles

What to Do

The original marker at the Four Corners Monument, placed in 1912, was a simple cement pad. Today, you’ll see a shiny, refurbished bronze disk embedded in granite. Each of the state boundaries radiate from the disk and each state's seal rests within that state's boundary.

Admission

The site is run by the Navajo Nation, so individual Four Corners Monument tickets are required; no National Park passes are accepted. Admission is $8 per person (credit cards only). Visit the Navajo Tribal Park website for additional details and updates.

Monument Hours

Four Corners hours vary by season.

• Oct. 1-March 31: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• April 1-April 30: 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. 
• May 1-Aug. 19: 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Aug. 20-Sept. 30: 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Closed

• Thanksgiving Day
• Navajo Nation Family Day (day after Thanksgiving)
• Christmas Day
• New Years Day

Four Corners Visitor Center

While you’re there, step inside the small visitor center. In the Demonstration Center, local American Indian artisans show their skills in handcrafted beadwork, hide-paintings, handmade rugs and silversmith work.

How to Get to Four Corners

It’s a several hour drive from any major airport, the closest being Albuquerque, New Mexico, some four hours away. Phoenix and Salt Lake City International Airports are more than six hours. We recommend visiting the Four Corners Monument if you are already taking a tour of the national parks in the area. You’ll need your own transportation, or take a tour bus, to get there. 

Nearby Attractions

The scenery immediately surrounding the Four Corners Monument may seem bland, but nearby you will find incredible sites that typify our southwest desert country.

• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Arches National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Lake Powell
• Goosenecks Utah State Park
• Dead Horse Point Utah State Park

Ancient Rock Art and Ruins

Fascinating ancient cultural sites are found in this region. Most include rock art and artifacts attributed to the Ancestral Puebloans (formerly referred to as Anasazi). Major sites open to the public include:

• Mesa Verde National Park
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Canyon de Chelly National Monument
• Edge of the Cedars Utah State Park

The Grand Gulch area offers a tremendous number of backcountry sites in a wilderness-like setting.

Learn more

The Four Corners area has been home to native peoples for hundreds of years. Archaeologists have recorded numerous ancient Puebloan sites dating prior to 1300 A.D. Learn more about Navajo and Ute culture at the Monument Valley Visitor Center. Sign up for a tour of the stunning valley with a Navajo guide. Horseback trail rides, hikes and Jeep excursions to other interesting areas on the private land are also available.

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