Four Corners Monument
4.0(16K)google
3.0(312)yelp
Photo SpotQuirkyRoad Trip
Overview
The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. It is the only point in the United States shared by four states, leading to the area being named the Four Corners region. The monument also marks the boundary between two sovereign Native American governments, the Navajo Nation, which maintains the monument as a tourist attraction, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation.
Practical Info
Every day8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Suggested Duration45-90 minutes
Best TimeThe unique geographical intersection of four western states commands an open-air sandstone desert environment. The most photogenic slot is between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM on a clear summer or autumn afternoon; the low setting sun paints the sprawling Navajo Nation reservation in deep gold, giving you comfortable conditions to photograph the bronze survey disk.
Getting TherePositioned at the remote northwest corner junction of the state along US Highway 160. No bus links exist; driving a car is your only transit method. From Farmington, NM, travel west on US-64 W into the Navajo Nation boundary, turn north onto NM-597 N, and drive straight to the toll booths. The tribal park features a massive, free gravel parking ring encircling the monument stores.
Travel Tips
- Located within Navajo Nation tribal lands, the US Interagency Pass is completely invalid here; cash or local card payment is strictly required.
- Possessing or transporting alcoholic beverages is a severe tribal crime; discovery by Navajo police results in vehicle impoundment and heavy fines.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- The wait to pose on the exact four-state brass plaque can exceed 1.5 hours in summer; a strict 3-shot photo limit per group is enforced by monitors.
Reviews
Positive
- A totally unique US landmark! Experiencing standing in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona all at once makes for incredibly fun photo ops.
- The native Navajo-run craft market surrounding the monument plaza is charming, offering fresh, delicious Navajo fry bread and handmade jewelry.
- The central bronze disc axis has been neatly refurbished, surrounded by snapping state flags, clear layout signs, flat concrete, and a massive lot.
- Serving as a classic road trip rest stop in the deep desert, it fulfills a bucket-list geographical milestone that lives up to its iconic status.
Heads up
- The value for money is heavily criticized! Run independently by the Navajo Nation, it charges per person and rejects US Park Passes for just a single bronze disc.
- To snap that iconic four-state limbs-spread photo over the center spot, you routinely queue for 30–60+ minutes under blistering sun with zero shade.
- The public infrastructure is rudimentary; restrooms are limited to non-flushing portable chemical toilets with poor hygiene, heavy odors, and no running tap water.
- Commercialism feels a bit repetitive; outside the bronze seal and a ring of wooden stalls selling generic souvenirs, there is zero deep geographical education.