Navajo, Hopi, Ute, and Zuni communities continue to live in and around these lands, maintaining ties that shape both daily life and visitor experiences.

Beyond the marker itself, the Four Corners area includes national parks, archaeological sites, and dramatic landforms. This guide highlights the most significant destinations, practical travel routes, and tips for planning a visit to this remarkable region.

How to Get to the Four Corners Region

Traveling to the Four Corners requires some planning, as the area sits far from major metropolitan centers. The region is connected by a handful of airports and highways, but distances are long, and visitors should be prepared to drive.

Major Airports Nearby

Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, are the main entry points, each several hours by car from the Four Corners Monument, for example.

Closest Regional Access

Cortez, Colorado, and Farmington, New Mexico, are smaller towns often used as bases once travelers are in the area, with lodging, restaurants, and gas stations.

Driving Routes

From Denver, plan about a seven-hour drive to the monument, primarily along U.S. highways. From Albuquerque, head north on U.S. Route 550 through Farmington, then continue west, a drive of about four hours.

Travel Tip

Renting a car is essential, as public transportation is not a realistic option for reaching or moving between sites in the region.

Top Attractions in the Four Corners Region

Standing in four states at once is a unique experience, but the Four Corners extends far beyond its central marker. The region holds places that reveal centuries of human history and striking natural settings. Here are some of the top stops to put on the map when planning a visit.

Four Corners Monument (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah)

The Four Corners Monument is operated by the Navajo Nation and pinpoints the exact spot where the four states meet. Visitors often pause for photos at the marker, then browse stalls where local artisans sell handmade jewelry, textiles, and food.

Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)

Mesa Verde National Park protects ancient cliff dwellings that once housed entire communities. Sites like Cliff Palace showcase the skill of Ancestral Puebloan builders, and ranger-led tours provide context to the lives lived here more than 700 years ago.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Arizona/Utah)

Sandstone buttes and mesas rise from the desert floor at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

A scenic drive passes many of the major formations. Navajo guides also lead jeep, horseback, or hiking tours into less accessible areas that contain rock art and traditional hogans.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park (New Mexico)

Chaco Canyon contains massive stone “great houses,” some aligned with solar and lunar cycles, that served as a ceremonial and administrative center from the 9th to 13th centuries. Visitors reach the park on remote roads and can tour ruins on foot, hike canyon trails, and attend astronomy programs under some of the darkest skies in the country.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Arizona)

Canyon de Chelly remains both a historic and living place, where Navajo families still farm within the canyon.

Cliff dwellings built high in the sandstone walls, petroglyphs etched into the rock, and sweeping rim overlooks connect past and present, while guided hikes and jeep tours lead visitors into the canyon floor.

Visitors can also opt to drive around the canyon rim and enjoy it from above.

Lesser-Known Attractions in the Four Corners Region

Along with the headline destinations, the Four Corners holds quieter places that are no less compelling. These sites often require more effort to reach but give a different perspective on the region.

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness (New Mexico)

This remote expanse of eroded rock and hoodoos resembles a natural sculpture garden.

Its unusual formations and stark silence make it a striking place for photographers and hikers who want to enjoy time on foot in the open desert.

Hovenweep National Monument (Utah/Colorado)

Hovenweep preserves clusters of ancient stone towers perched along canyon rims. Smaller in scale than Mesa Verde but far less crowded, the site provides a close look at the architecture of Ancestral Puebloan communities.

Shiprock (New Mexico)

Rising more than 1,500 feet above the desert, Shiprock is a volcanic formation with deep spiritual importance to the Navajo Nation. While climbing is not permitted, the formation is visible for miles and often photographed at sunrise or sunset.

Goosenecks State Park (Utah)

From its rim overlooks, Goosenecks State Park reveals a winding stretch of the San Juan River that has carved deep meanders into the canyon floor.

The viewpoint offers one of the clearest examples of entrenched river bends in North America.

Petroglyph Sites

Scattered throughout the Four Corners are rock panels etched with figures, animals, and symbols by Indigenous peoples over centuries. One well-known example is the petroglyph panel at Sand Island near Bluff, Utah, which stretches for hundreds of feet and contains images dating back more than a thousand years. Many other panels exist across the region best visited with local guidance.

Outdoor Activities in the Four Corners

The Four Corners is best experienced outdoors, with trails, campgrounds, and night skies that rival any in the country.

• Hiking: Trails at Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, and the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness range from short walks to backcountry routes.
  
• Camping: Designated sites are available at Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Hovenweep, Monument Valley, and several state parks, with both tent and RV access.
  
• Stargazing: Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Goosenecks State Park are recognized for exceptionally dark skies, making them prime spots for astronomy programs or quiet evenings under the stars.

Where to Stay in the Four Corners Region

Where you stay in the Four Corners often depends on how close you want to be to major landmarks. Towns such as Durango and Cortez in Colorado, Bluff in Utah, Farmington in New Mexico, and Kayenta in Arizona provide the most consistent range of hotels and motels, making them good bases for day trips.

Camping is another common choice. Several parks and monuments maintain campgrounds that accommodate both tents and RVs. These sites vary in size and amenities, from basic facilities with limited services to developed campgrounds that operate on seasonal reservations.

Because accommodations can be limited inside tribal parks or on remote stretches of road, it helps to understand the options before setting out. Availability differs widely by season, and distances between towns mean that choosing your base is as important as choosing what you want to see.

Travel Tips for Visiting the Four Corners

Travel in the Four Corners requires preparation, as conditions and services vary across the region. A few practical notes can make the journey more comfortable while showing respect for Indigenous cultures.

• Pack for varied weather: Elevation shifts bring rapid changes in temperature, so layers are essential.
  
• Protect yourself from the sun: Carry sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water, especially when traveling long stretches without services.
  
• Respect Indigenous lands: Many destinations are on sovereign Native land. Follow posted signs, observe local customs, and support artisans directly when purchasing crafts or food.
  
• Check road conditions: Dirt roads and remote routes may require a high-clearance vehicle, and weather can affect accessibility.
  
• Plan time for the night sky: The region is known for its exceptionally dark skies. Consider setting aside an evening in a designated Dark Sky Park for stargazing.

Thoughtful preparation not only improves comfort but also ensures that your visit supports the people and places that define the Four Corners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Set Your Sights on the Four Corners

What makes the area remarkable lies in everything that stretches outward from the unique Four Corners Monument: the cliff dwellings tucked into canyon walls, the sandstone towers that rise from the desert, and the communities who still call this region home. Together, these elements show why the Four Corners is truly one of a kind.

Visiting here means giving yourself time to travel the long roads, walk through ancient sites, and see the skies open wide after dark. It is a place that rewards patience and curiosity, and it leaves a lasting impression on those willing to experience it fully.

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