FOUR STATES. ONE SPOT.
Four Corners Monument Navajo Tribal Park
What is the Four Corners Monument? Also known as 4 Corners, it is the only point in the United States shared by four states: Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado.
It’s also a Navajo Nation Tribal Park. And, it also marks the boundary between the Navajo Nation and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation.
Four Corners Monument is a popular family stop. Where else can you check off visiting four states at one time? Nearby attractions include Monument Valley, Mesa Verde National Park, and Hovenweep National Monument.
History
During the Civil War, Congress acted to form territories in areas to discourage residents from joining the Confederacy. In 1861, Congress acted to place a marker here to note the southwest corner of the Colorado Territory.
After the Civil War, the area was again surveyed to create states from the earlier territories. In 1868, E.N. Darling’s first survey set the boundary line with a sandstone marker. In 1875, the second survey by Chandler Robbins moved the marker was moved to its current location based on the location of Shiprock.
When the states were established, the surveys from 1868 and 1875 were accepted as legal boundaries. The first permanent marker was placed at the site in 1912.
The Navajo government placed a bronze disk at the Four Corners meeting point in 1931. The disk reads, “Four states here meet in freedom under God.” The Monument now also features the state seal from each of the 4 Corner States.
In the 1960s, the Navajo Nation assumed custody of the monument. The monument was rebuilt in 1992, and again in 2010. On the disk, you will see “1992 Cadastral Survey Bureau of Land Management.” Cadastral refers to a type of survey used to create and mark boundaries of the nation’s public lands.
Know Before You Go
The Four Corners Monument is open year round, but opening times vary during the year. Opening hours are shorter in the winter and longer in the summer. Be sure to check the Navajo Nation Tribal Park website for opening times.
At the Monument, you will find a Demonstration Center. Native American craftsmen and women from the Navajo and Ute Tribes sell traditional, handmade Native jewelry, artisan crafts, and tribal food. Often, Native Americans are often happy to talk with visitors about their crafts and jewelry.
This is a rural area. No water, gasoline, or electricity is available at the Monument. The nearest gas station is in Tees Nos Pos, Arizona, about 10 miles away. Bluff is 48 miles away.
In the summer months, there may be a waiting line to access the Four Corners point as people line up to take photographs. No advance bookings are required.
There is an entrance fee of $8 per person. Only credit cards are accepted. U.S. National Park Passes are not accepted as Four Corners is a Navajo Nation Tribal Park.
Nearby Attractions
Hovenweep National Monument is 45 miles away. Mesa Verde National Park is 50 miles away.
General Info
Ample parking and restrooms are available.
Hours: Opens at 8:00 am. Closing time depends on time of year. Check Navajo Nation Tribal Park website for opening times.
Fees: $8 per person. Credit cards only.
Four Corners Monument Directions: Four Corners Monument is about one hour from Bluff (48 miles). Travel east from Bluff on the Mission Road (Highway 162), turning onto Highway 41 in Colorado, and right onto Highway 160. If coming from Monument Valley, travel south on Highway 163 to Kayenta, Arizona. Turn left onto Highway 160. Four Corners is approximately 100 miles from Monument Valley.
Telephone: 928-206-2540