Quick Detour to Four Corners Monument, 5/07/2018

As we were driving back to Mesa Verde after visiting Hovenweep, we saw that Four Corners was only about 20 miles away. The idea of standing in four states at the same time is so fun, that we decided to take the time to swing by this unique place.

The Four Corners Monument marks the quadrupoint in the SW US where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. This is the only point in the US where this occurs. Two semi-autonomous Native American tribal governments (Navajo and Ute) manage the site (as both have territorial boundaries at the monument). There is an admission fee (if I recall correctly, it is $5/adult). Local Navajo and Ute artisans sell souvenirs and food at the site.

Flags of Navajo Nation, Mountain Ute Tribe, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah fly over the site. 

Surveying in the 1860s marked the state boundaries at this spot. Today, there is some controversy about the accuracy (due to the lack of sophistication in surveying instruments at the time). Courts have ruled, however, that the state boundaries stand. As you walk around the site, there is a marker about each of the four states.

A granite disk embedded in the concrete with a smaller bronze disk on the point where the four states meet.

We, of course, had to snap a couple of photos of use standing in all four states. 

There is a large picnic area near the monument for those interested in spending more time here. 

We did some browsing and purchased a couple of souvenir items. It’s a pretty cool place!