How to Visit Four Corners Monument

Standing at the crossroads of four states containing a common quadripoint (New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah) stands this Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. [1] If you are in the area and like to visit unique attractions, this may be one of the different attractions you can visit. Read the below steps to find out how this attraction can be visited.

Steps

  1. 1
    Learn how this park is governed. Although this is a monument park, it is actually governed by the Navajo Indian tribes and is on tribal land.
    • Navajo tribal people are just as friendly as any other person and can be approached. Explain your issue if you encounter one, or say hi if you see one pass you at the location.
  2. 2
    Learn about the address and gather the directions to the park. Although the address to the park is over an Arizona address, parking and it's connected named road connects from the New Mexico location off US-160 (on Four Corners Road) - just outside Teec Nos Pos, Arizona.
    • There are several food establishments on the connector road outside the monument - mostly geared towards food stands. However, be aware that what you take in is what you take out.
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  3. 3
    Learn that right now - during times of the coronavirus pandemic, this park is closed to the public. However, when the pandemic is over, you may continue to revisit it. [2] [3] [4]
  4. 4
    Gather your belongings and at least some state-issued identification. Bring a camera, and some bottled water.
    • Be aware that there is a limit to how many photos can be taken at this park. No more than three photos can be taken. [5]
    • If you're looking for a photo idea, many people photograph themselves on the monument with some parts of their body (feet/arms) touching each of the four state areas in some respect.
  5. 5
    Head to the park. Parking is found along the outside edges of the 4 buildings - one representing each state. From the split-off of Four Corners Road to the park, it's a dirt road leading you in and around the monument - on State Route 597 (officially NM-597 [6] )- that continues the same numbering throughout all four states. [7]
    • Parking isn't free. According to Google Maps photos, it's $5 per person, regardless of how they entered this park. [8] However, the official Navajo webpage for this attraction lists this fee as a seasonal variant for off-peak times, and by peak times, this cost rises to $10. [9] There are other web pages stating less costly prices, but those appear to be outdated.
    • Signs for this monument begin from US-160 and are listed as "Four Corners Monument".
  6. 6
    Enter onto the grounds. You might have to step over and around large rocks to get to the entrance in the state you enter from. Be sure to make a note of what state you are entering from. In the Northwest corner, you'll find Utah. In the Northeast corner, you'll find Colorado, In the Southwest corner, you'll find Arizona. In the Southeast corner, you'll find New Mexico. Noting the state you're entering from makes it easier to find the exact location of your car.
  7. 7
    Visit the monuments and plaques explaining the reason why the borders are shaped the way they are. This plaque is around the edge of the monument pedestal - and is due to surveyors' maps all forming this same angle.
    • This angle is the only 90-degree angle at four locations within the United States.
  8. 8
    Learn how this visitation time is governed. At times, it was necessary to hold people off the pedestal and have them enter one at a time through steps, ramps, and other methods.
  9. 9
    Enter the monument area when asked to do so. As was previously stated, you may enter via the pedestal, via the steps on any of the sides or through the handicapped ramp on one of the state's sides'.
  10. 10
    Stand on the monument if you'd like. The tribe made it clear you can do so. Each corner has been marked by clear written English on engravings with the name of the state you are touching, as well as state quotes on how the monument wants to be viewed.
    • In each state, two words are represented above each state and form different variations of the monument's motto "Here meet in freedom under God four states." [10]
    • Be aware that the monument is made of granite and brass, so when in the sun, it might be extra warm to the touch of the skin. [11] [12]
  11. 11
    Read some of the flags here. Although there is a United States flag, each state flies it's own flag under the proper areas - however, the tribes also have their own flags flying on the site of the monument.
  12. 12
    Visit some of the artisan shops onsite. These artisan shops include those geared towards jewelry, crafts, and foods of these Native American people. You can find these just outside the monument area at the corners of the four states. [13]
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      Tips

      • Be aware that this monument doesn't have working water facilities or electricity, so water bottles are necessary. [14]
        • You'll also want to be aware that the closest town to this monument is over 30 miles away. Plan for a trip that gets you to the park and back, and make sure you have enough gas to double the transit time to and from the location. [15]
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      • This monument area was depicted in the 2015 rendition of the movie Vacation (a reboot of the National Lampoon's Vacation movie series) - where Rusty (on-stage name) (partial spoiler) gets his turn to bring his family to his vacation spot and pops into this park. (However, it is an R rated movie, so parents beware.)
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      • There are no real good close airport points that lie near this monument, so you will want to travel freely using automotive transport. If you are close, you may be able to take a rideshare car to get you to the location, but be aware of where you are coming from so you'll know how to get back.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners_Monument
      2. ↑ https://www.newmexico.org/listing/four-corners-monument/1786/#:~:text=The%20Four%20Corners%20Monument,also%20known%20as%20Four%20Corners,in%20New%20Mexico%20and%20the%20other%20in%20Arizona !
      3. ↑ https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31376-d1547940-Reviews-Four_Corners_Monument-Teec_Nos_Pos_Apache_County_Arizona.html
      4. ↑ https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/four-corners-monument/
      5. ↑ https://www.google.com/maps/place/Four+Corners+Monument/@36.9986091,-109.0449084,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipOQ4fEzOxOirLLVoKtBl8Mme4aEnQGecJl7GRQK!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOQ4fEzOxOirLLVoKtBl8Mme4aEnQGecJl7GRQK%3Dw203-h114-k-no!7i4032!8i2268!4m5!3m4!1s0x873a25d2c9c70acd:0xc9945bd27b66993a!8m2!3d36.9989402!4d-109.0451507
      6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_State_Road_597
      7. ↑ https://www.newmexico.org/listing/four-corners-monument/1786/#:~:text=The%20Four%20Corners%20Monument,also%20known%20as%20Four%20Corners,in%20New%20Mexico%20and%20the%20other%20in%20Arizona !
      8. ↑ https://www.google.com/maps/place/Four+Corners+Monument/@36.9989402,-109.0451507,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPGy99BtpfkIdmvZETTIxJJxbsiw_iyppm_YrPQ!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPGy99BtpfkIdmvZETTIxJJxbsiw_iyppm_YrPQ%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m5!3m4!1s0x873a25d2c9c70acd:0xc9945bd27b66993a!8m2!3d36.9989402!4d-109.0451507
      9. ↑ https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/four-corners-monument/
      1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners_Monument
      2. ↑ https://www.newmexico.org/listing/four-corners-monument/1786/#:~:text=The%20Four%20Corners%20Monument,also%20known%20as%20Four%20Corners,in%20New%20Mexico%20and%20the%20other%20in%20Arizona !
      3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners_Monument
      4. ↑ https://www.newmexico.org/listing/four-corners-monument/1786/#:~:text=The%20Four%20Corners%20Monument,also%20known%20as%20Four%20Corners,in%20New%20Mexico%20and%20the%20other%20in%20Arizona !
      5. ↑ https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/four-corners-monument/
      6. ↑ https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/four-corners-monument/

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