The Four Corners Monument is one of the most unique and historic monuments in the United States yet is an attraction that many people haven’t even heard of. As a result, it only gets around 250,000 visitors per year.
This may sound a lot, but it is far less than similar monuments around the nation. This is a real shame, as people are missing out on a truly fabulous attraction.
In our Four Corners Monument guide, we will give you all the information you could possibly need to know about this legendary attraction, to hopefully make you decide to visit Four Corners Monument for yourself.
What Is The Four Corners Monument?
The Four Corners Monument is the only point in the United States where 4 state corners meet. It is sometimes also referred to as the Four Points Monument, Four State Monument, Four Corners National Monument, or Four Corners National Park.
Plans for the Four Corners Monument were first put into effect in 1868, shortly after the site became the meeting point for the old Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona territories. It was first signified by a physical marker in 1875, when a sandstone shaft was placed on the site.
Thanks to the harsh weather conditions present in the desert, the original marker slowly began to fall apart and, by 1899, broke into two pieces, at which point it was replaced. Unfortunately, after a while, this too began to deteriorate.
In 1912, Arizona became the last of the four territories to gain statehood. At this point a concrete base was poured around the marker to protect it, and it was declared a monument for the first time.
When Was The Four Corners Monument Created?
The original Four Corners Monument was created in 1912, although it has been expanded or replaced a number of times in the years since.
In 1931 the original Four Corners Monument broke; at which time a brass disc was built into the concrete base to replace it. In 1962, the concrete around the disc was elevated, to protect it from the elements, and the names and lines of the four states was engraved into the tiles.
In 1992 the entire Four Corners Monument was rebuilt and replaced. The brass plate was replaced with an aluminium and bronze one which bares the names of the four states and has lines to signify the exact spot where they all meet. The concrete was also replaced with a granite block.
Changes were made one final time, in 2010, at which point the granite block was rebuilt and the engravings were updated to add more detail. The disc from 1992 was reused for this update.
Where Is The Four Corners Monument?
The Four Corners Monument is located where the four state corners of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado meet. It is set on the lands of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The four corners monument address is 4 Corners Road, New Mexico State Road 597, Navajo Nation, New Mexico, 86514, United States.
What Is The Closest Airport’s Distance To Four Corners Monument
The closest airport is Albuquerque International Sunport, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its distance to Four Corners Monument is 247 miles (397 kilometres) and it will take precisely four hours to drive between the two.
Visiting Four Corners Monument
Before you set off to visit Four Corners Monument, there is some important information you need to make a note of, to ensure you aren’t disappointed after making such a long journey.
Four Corners Monument Hours Of Operation
The Four Corners Monument hours of operation are:
8am to 4 45pm every day of the week from October 1st to March 31st
8am to 5 45pm every day of the week from April 1st to April 30th
8am to 6 45pm every day of the week from May 1st to August 19th
8am to 5 45pm every day of the week from August 20th to September 30th
All times listed are in Mountain Time.
Is The Four Corners Monument Closed At Any Time?
Outside of the opening hours listed above, the Four Corners Monument is closed on New Year’s Day (January 1st), Thanksgiving Day (the 4th Thursday in November), Navajo Nation Family Day (the 4th Friday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25th).
Other than this, it is normally open at all times. That said, the monument is located on the tribal grounds of the Navajo Nation and, while an extremely rare occurrence, it can be closed at any point without warning at their discretion.
This can include for reasons such as medical emergencies (such as during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic) as well as religious or cultural ceremonies.
Four Corners Monument Entry Fees
Entry to the Four Corners Monument costs $8 per person, which must be paid by card directly to the Navajo Nation. No concessions or discounts are offered, and National Park Passes are not accepted.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Four Corners Monument?
The best time to visit Four Corners Monument is the month of June. This is the driest month of the year at the monument and also boasts pleasantly warm temperatures around the clock, while missing the extreme highs of mid-Summer and the region’s wildfire season in early fall.
This means visiting Four Corners Monument in June will allow you to fully enjoy your experience, without worrying about the weather.
Best Things To Do Near Four Corners Monument
While Four Corners Monument is definitely a wonderful attraction, it isn’t something you are going to need hours to see. Given it is in the middle of nowhere, that means you are going to need to fill out your trip with other things to make the journey worthwhile.
With that in mind, we will now show you the best things to do near Four Corners Monument, to help you plan the most comprehensive and enjoyable travel itinerary possible.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is centred around one of the largest, most popular and most visited canyons on Earth, which runs for 277 miles, has widths from 4 to 18 miles across, and a depth of more than a mile in places.
A Native American holy place that features an array of wildlife and some of the most breathtaking views on Earth, it is truly a sight you have to see with your own eyes.
The distance from Four Corners Monument to Grand Canyon National Park is 200 miles (325 km) and it takes 3 hours and 15 minutes to drive between the two.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley sits on the Arizona-Utah border and is well known for its iconic landscape that is filled with numerous buttes, with some as high as 1,000 feet (300 metres) tall. A sacred place for the Native American people, it has been used in countless westerns and works of art through the years.
The distance from Monument Valley to Four Corners Monument is 100 miles (162 km) and it takes 90 minutes to drive between the two.
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian Reservation in the U.S., covering 17,544,500 acres, making it larger than 10 states. Home to countless Native American holy lands, businesses, and cultural centres, there may be nowhere better to learn about Native American culture anywhere on Earth.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park features a huge collection of canyons, mountains, and rock formations like arches, buttes, mesas, and pinnacles. This is perhaps the best example of the iconic south Utah landscape you will find, as it offers a little taste of everything the state has to offer.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from Canyonlands National Park is 175 miles (285 km) and it takes 3 hours and 20 minutes to drive between the two.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is infamous for the collection of over 2,000 iconic, natural rock arches, it is named after. Beyond the largest collection of rock arches on Earth, it also boasts other formations like balancing rocks, fins, and pinnacles, as well legendary stargazing locations and vibrant wildlife.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from Arches National Park is 150 miles (240 km) and it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to drive between the two.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park in Utah is known for its “Waterpocket Fold” geologic formation, which stretches for 100 miles. It boasts rock formations like cliffs, domes, and monoliths, as well as orchards and a wide array of birds and animals like bighorn sheep, deer, and pronghorn.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from Capitol Reef National Park is 215 miles (345 km) and it takes 4 hours to drive between the two.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument boasts a collection of iconic geological formations, including the Grand Staircase, Canyons Of The Escalante, and Kaiparowits Plateau.
Covering almost 1.9 million acres, the iconic landscape is among the most remote in the lower 48 states, as well as the last to be mapped.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is 235 miles (375 km) and it takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to drive between the two.
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument covers 293,689 acres and has 4 legendary rock formations: the Coyote Buttes, Paria Canyon, Paria Plateau, and Vermillion Cliffs. Sheer cliffs of up to 3,000 feet (910 metres) made from red rock and a diverse range of wildlife help to create some truly unique sights.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is 218 miles (352 km) and it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive between the two.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area centres around Cataract Canyon and Lake Powell on the Utah – Arizona border. It is known for its stunning caves and beautiful waters, and is a popular spot for activities like boating, swimming, fishing, jet skiing, and kayaking.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is 135 miles (215 km) and it takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive between the two.
Kaibab National Forest
Kaibab National Forest spans 1.6 million acres around the edges of the Grand Canyon yet features a much lusher landscape than the attraction at its core. A wide range of trees and bushes play home to an abundance of wildlife, while being dotted by attractions like lakes and historic cabins.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from Kaibab National Forest is 235 miles (375 km) and it takes 4 hours to drive between the two.
San Juan National Forest
San Juan National Forest is an almost 1.9 million acre national forest on the edge of the San Juan Mountains. Known for its alpine wilderness areas, it shows the diversity of the region’s landscape as the barren deserts and canyons give way to lush greenery.
The distance to Four Corners Monument from San Juan National Forest is 100 miles (160 km) and it takes 2 hours to drive between the two.
Best Hotels Near Four Corners Monument – Ute Mountain Casino Hotel
The Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is a wonderful resort located in Towaoc, Colorado, on the Ute Mountain Reservation. It is 27.8 miles (44.8 km) from the Four Corners Monument and takes 35 minutes to drive to, making it a perfect combination of quality and convenience.
Each of its spacious rooms is air conditioned, has luxury furnishings, linens, and towels, includes features like a flat screen TV, security deposit box, private bathroom, and desk, and boasts free Wi-Fi and a private patio with mountain views.
With communal features like a swimming pool, restaurant, casino, and access to free parking, it provides an opportunity to relax in style after your big adventure.
Best RV Park Near Four Corners Monument – Sleeping Ute RV Park
Sleeping Ute RV Park is the only RV park within an hour of Four Corners Monument, making it the ideal choice for those who want to set up camp for the night near this stunning location.
Sleeping Ute RV Park is located in Towaoc, Colorado and operated by the Ute Mountain Casino. Top rated by Good Sam, it features pull-through full hook-up spaces in a choice of both 30 and 50 amp, as well as a number of shaded tent sites.
Amenities include showers, laundry services. Free Wi-Fi and cable TV, an indoor sauna, wading pool, and swimming pool, a grill and picnic area, children’s playground, travel center with a convenience store, RV supplies, and dining options, and easy access to a casino and sportsbook.
With stunning views all round, a convenient dumping station, and 10% discounts offered to present and past military personnel, as well as AAA, AARP, and Good Sam members, Sleeping Ute RV Park is an ideal place to set up base and enjoy the area around Four Corners Monument.
Final Thoughts
Four Corners Monument is a criminally underrated attraction and a destination that is ideal for anyone interested in the history or geography of the United States. Our Four Corners Monument guide will hopefully have shown you that and made you decide to go and see it for yourself.
From when to go and where to stay to all there is to do and see in the surrounding area, you should have all you need to plan the perfect travel itinerary for your own dream vacation, whether it be your final destination or a stop on a longer road trip.
So, all you have left to do now then is start getting things booked. That way you can look forward to when you visit Four Corners Monument for yourself.