The only place in the United States where four states meet - Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. A unique brass marker set in the ground allows visitors to stand in four states simultaneously at this geometric curiosity managed by the Navajo Nation.
Four Corners Monument marks the only point in the United States where four states share a common boundary — Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet at a precisely surveyed point administered by the Navajo Nation. The site is located on the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners region of the Colorado Plateau, approximately 40 miles west of Cortez, Colorado, and is reached via US Highway 160 through tribal lands of the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation and Navajo Nation.
The monument itself consists of a circular granite and bronze marker set into the ground at the quadripoint, with state names and borders inscribed in each quadrant. The marker is surrounded by a larger decorative plaza paved with state seals and compass rose designations. Visitors photograph themselves kneeling or lying at the marker with hands and feet simultaneously placed in each of the four states — the defining experience of the site.
The Navajo Nation Visitor Center adjacent to the monument provides interpretive exhibits on Navajo culture, history, and the legal background of the Four Corners boundary. The boundary was first surveyed in 1868 as part of the treaty establishing the Navajo Nation reservation. Later resurveys found minor discrepancies in the original survey's position, but official determinations have consistently held that the legal boundary remains at the 1868 survey point regardless of any geodetic refinement.
Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute vendors operate booths along the plaza perimeter, selling traditional silver and turquoise jewelry, pottery, woven textiles, and traditional foods including fry bread and mutton stew. The vendor market represents an active regional craft economy and is frequently cited by visitors as among the most authentic and worthwhile aspects of the stop.
The monument's remote location — 40 miles from the nearest substantial town — means most visitors combine it with nearby attractions. Mesa Verde National Park to the northeast is the most common pairing, along with Monument Valley to the southwest and Canyon de Chelly National Monument to the west on the Navajo Nation.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8AM-5PM (winter), 7AM-7PM (summer)
- Best time
- Morning
- Best for
- road trippers, families, unique experience seekers
Location
Four Corners Monument, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514
36.9991, -109.0452 View on map
Highlights
- The only point in the United States where four states share a common boundary — Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico
- Circular granite and bronze marker on the quadripoint with state seals and compass designations in the surrounding plaza
- Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute craft vendors selling authentic silver jewelry, pottery, textiles, and traditional foods
- Navajo Nation Visitor Center with cultural and legal history exhibits on the Four Corners boundary
- Natural combination stop with Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, and Canyon de Chelly
Tips for visiting
- Combine with Mesa Verde National Park and Monument Valley on a multi-day trip
- Local Navajo vendors sell authentic crafts and traditional food
- Photo opportunity unique in North America - stand in four states at once
When to visit
Morning visits from approximately 8 AM to 10 AM are the most pleasant — the high desert sun becomes intense by midday and shade is minimal at the monument plaza. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer the most comfortable temperatures. Summer midday temperatures frequently exceed 95°F in this desert environment.
Accessibility
The monument plaza is a flat paved surface fully accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility limitations. The visitor center is accessible. Accessible restrooms are available at the site. The entrance road from US 160 is paved. The surrounding Colorado Plateau terrain is open and flat in the immediate monument area.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Four Corners Monument worth a dedicated visit?
The monument is typically a 30- to 60-minute stop rather than a destination on its own. Visitors who are already in the Four Corners region — particularly those visiting Mesa Verde National Park — find it a worthwhile novelty. The novelty of standing in four states and the Navajo vendor market make it more engaging than the basic geographic marker might suggest.
Is an admission fee required?
Yes — the Navajo Nation charges an $8 admission fee per person, collected at the entrance booth. No separate reservation is required. The fee contributes to the Navajo Nation's management of the site. America the Beautiful National Parks passes do not cover entry as the site is tribally administered rather than managed by the National Park Service.
How remote is the Four Corners Monument?
The monument is approximately 40 miles west of Cortez, Colorado, and 75 miles southwest of Durango. The drive from Cortez via US 160 takes about 45 minutes on paved road. Fuel should be obtained in Cortez or Teec Nos Pos before visiting as services along the route are limited. The site has no lodging nearby; most visitors base themselves in Cortez or Durango.