Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument is significant of being the famous quadripoint in the United States that binds the four states of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. As a matter of fact, in the entire United States this is the only point where these four states actually meet or unite. The monument also happens to be the point where two tribal boundaries representing the Navajo Nation and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe coincide.
Another thing which attracts visitors to this tourist destination is the fact that this monument has been built on Native American land. There are many tourists who travel all the way to the Four Corners region to learn and study the Native American life and culture.
Families and lovers visit this unique monument to enjoy the feel of being at four places at the same time. Four Corners Monument is operated and managed by the Navajo Nation Parks Recreation Department.
The claim that stated the Four Corners Monument was inaccurately placed has been a subject of speculation over the years. The U.S National Geodetic Survey stepped forth to defend the accuracy of the monument and has confirmed this monument to be the quadripoint of the four different states.
Getting There
You can plan a trip to the Four Corners Monument by car, plane or a train.
From New Mexico, the Four Corners Monument can be reached via following the west on US-64/NM-504 and north onUS-160.
From Colorado, it can be reached via going south on US-160 W/CO-789 W.
From Utah, the Four Corners Monument can be reached via going south on US-191/UT-163 and east on US-160. Thereafter you have to go north on US-160 to reach the desired destination.
Some of the nearest airports in the area include Four Corners Regional airport, Cortex Municipal Airport Arizona, Albuquerque International airport and Sky harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona.
You will find the nearest train stations in Flagstaff, Arizona and Gallup, NM –Amtrak.
Four Corners Monument History
According to history, the location of the Four Corners Monument Arizona was set in the year 1861. During the period, Four Corners Monument was designated by the 36th United States Congress to be the southwest corner belonging to the Colorado Territory.
The creation of what is known to be the quadripoint at Four Corners today was actually initiated by the historic split of New Mexico during the era of the American Civil War. The ultimate outcome was the separation of California from Texas.
As recorded, the first and foremost permanent marker that was placed on the given spot was in the year of 1912. Over the years a modern and liberal Navajo government was established in 1923. The spot was marked by a bronze disk in 1931. The Four Corners National Monument was completely reconstructed in the following years of 1992 and 2010.
Today the Four Corners Monument Park and area is operated by the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department. The monument rests on the Navajo lands.
The Monument
The monument has become a major tourist attraction managed and operated by the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department. Visitors can experience the unique feel of being at four places at the same time or “simultaneously straddle the territory of four states”.
Four Corners Monument features a granite disk that has been engrafted with a bronze disk. On closer observation the monument also displays small state seals and flags symbolic of the two tribal nations and states of that particular area. The famous line which reads, “Four States here meet in freedom under God”, circles the disk attributing two words to each state.
Families and lovers love to pose sitting or standing upon the Four Corners Monument disk.
In fact even the remote location of the area does not hinder Four Corners from being a popular tourist attraction, frequented by visitors from all over the world.
Several local Ute and Navajo vendors sell traditional food and handmade souvenirs, jewelry etc in the area. Native American artisans showcase their talents in the Demonstration Centre. A general admission fee is applicable to visit the monument.
The Location
The Four Corners Monument is situated in an isolated area, further off the US Highway 160.
The precise Four Corners Monument latitude longitude is 36°59?56.31532?N 109°02?42.62019?W. This monument is built on the Native American land sprawling over a massive 25000 square miles. The area encompasses parts of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.
People from both the Navajo Nation as well as the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, reside in this area. As such apart from the four states, two tribal boundaries also happen to coincide with the boundary of Colorado at the monument.
There are many visitors who venture the place with a desire to study the Native American life and culture.
Four Corners monument Hours of Operation
The Four Corners Monument is open for public visits throughout the year, seven days a week.
May – September the Park will be open from:
7.00am – 8.00pm
October – April, the Park will be open from:
8.00 am -5.00pm
The Park remains closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Admission
Entrance fee to the Four Corners Monument Park is as follows:
General admission (includes all ages): $3.00
Ages 6 and below: Free
Hotels near Four corners Monument
You will find great lodging options in Monument Valley and Bluff UT. Some of the hotels found nearby the area are as follows:
Holiday Inn Express Farmington (Bloomfield)
Quality Inn Farmington
Rodeway Inn Farmington
Hampton Inn Suites Farmington
Courtyard by Marriott Farmington
La Quinta Inn and Suites
Please note that these hotels are about 15 to 16 miles away from the Four Corners Monument.
A trip to the Four Corners Monument can turn out to be profoundly interesting and entertaining. This national landmark is unique in its own way bringing four different states to coincide at one point.
Contact Details
Four Corners Monument Park Office
P.O. Box 861
Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514
Four Corners Park: 928-871-6647
