National park · United States
Four Corners MonumentFour Corners Monument and Tribal Park
Treat Four Corners as a 30–60 minute stop inside a bigger Southwest drive, not a destination: pay the Navajo Nation entry fee at the gate, take the photo on the granite slab, buy fry bread, then move on to Mesa Verde or Monument Valley.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
0 km²0 sq mi
approximate
Established
1899
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Rocky Mountains ↗Trailheads sit above 2,400 m; give the first day to the altitude, not to a summit.
- Rocky Mountains ↗I-70 west of Denver and other high passes close for snow and for avalanche control; check the state road site the morning you drive.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 0 km²0 sq mi
- The Tribal Park is a small paved plaza with parking and vendor stalls, not a large reserve; the surrounding land is Navajo Nation (check).
- Established
- 1899
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Four Corners is the only spot in the United States where the boundaries of four states meet: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The marker sits on the Navajo Nation, is managed as a Navajo Tribal Park, and is a waypoint on the Trails of the Ancients National Scenic Byway. There is one thing to do here — stand in four states at once — plus a ring of vendor stalls, a small visitor centre and a short trail. It is far from any airport and there is no running water, electricity or phone signal on site, so it works only as a leg of a longer drive through the Four Corners region.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteNavajo Tribal Park, managed by the Navajo Nation; a waypoint on the Trails of the Ancients National Scenic Byway.
Size and age
0 km²0 sq mi · national park since 1899
The Tribal Park is a small paved plaza with parking and vendor stalls, not a large reserve; the surrounding land is Navajo Nation (check).
Why go
- The only place in the US where four state boundaries meet at one point, marked by a granite slab and bronze disc.
- A short, cheap stop that fits between Mesa Verde, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly.
- Navajo vendors sell fry bread, jewellery and rugs at the stalls around the plaza.
- The Dancing Horse Trail leaves from near the monument for a short walk on the surrounding plateau.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, windy, few stalls open
- FebCold; short days
- MarMild; quiet
- AprWarm days, cool nights, manageable crowds
- MayDry and warm; stalls open
- JunHot; afternoon heat builds
- JulMonsoon storms; 35 °C+ daysMonsoon storms; 95 °F+ days
- AugMonsoon; busiest and hottest
- SepWarm, clearer, crowds thin
- OctCool and dry; good light
- NovCold nights; quiet
- DecCold; closures on holidays
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens and hawks over the plateauMar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Lizards and snakes on the Dancing Horse TrailApr–Sep · Watch where you step and keep distance. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Blowing dust and fliesJun–Aug · Common in summer; bring water and a bandana. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Farmington, New Mexico
US 64 west, then US 160, then NM 597 to the gate.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Cortez, Colorado
US 160 south into New Mexico, then NM 597.
1 h
Open the page →
From Blanding, Utah
US 191 south, US 160 through Teec Nos Pos, then NM 597.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Flagstaff, Arizona
US 160 northeast to Teec Nos Pos, then NM 597.
4–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Albuquerque
Drive via US 550 and US 64 through Farmington; no useful rail link to the monument.
5–5.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| The granite slab and bronze disc | The survey marker where the four state lines cross, with state flags and seals around it. | Open with the entry ticket; expect a queue for photos in summer. |
| Vendor stalls | Plywood stalls selling fry bread, jewellery, rugs and souvenirs; most are open only in high season. | Open with the entry ticket. |
| Visitor centre | A small building with brochures and occasional craft demonstrations. | Open year round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day (check). |
| Surrounding Navajo Nation | Open plateau with Shiprock visible to the east on clear days. | Public roads only; land off the highway is private or tribal. |
Sketch map
- 1Four Corners Monument · Headquarters≈36.999, -109.045Map ↗
- 2Entrance gate on NM 597 · Gate≈36.994, -109.045Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Teec Nos Pos Trading Post · Town≈36.920, -109.084Fuel and food, about 10 km away.Fuel and food, about 6.2 mi away.Map ↗
- 4Shiprock · Summit≈36.688, -108.836Visible to the east on clear days; sacred to the Navajo, do not climb.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, per person | US$5 | person | 2026 estimate; charged by the Navajo Nation at the gate, cash and card accepted (check). |
| Entry, per motorcycle | US$5 | vehicle | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Entry, per car or RV | US$20 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers up to four occupants (check). |
| Fry bread or Navajo taco from a stall | US$5–12 | item | 2026 estimate; cash is easiest. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Monument entry permit or guide
US national park passes no permit
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Prohibited by law on the Navajo Nation, including at the monument.
- Photo queue
- Signs ask groups to take about three photos and move on during busy periods.
- Metal surfaces
- The bronze marker and other metal can be too hot to touch in summer; do not put bare skin on it.
- Vendor goods
- Buy from Navajo artisans where possible; some stalls sell imported imitations.
- Drones
- Do not fly drones over the monument or Navajo land without permission (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Farmington, New Mexico
The largest choice of chain hotels and motels, about 1.5 h away.
Near the park
Cortez, Colorado
Motels and the gateway to Mesa Verde, about 1 h away.
Near the park
Blanding and Bluff, Utah
Small motels and lodges on the Utah side, 1.5–2 h away.
Safety
Summer heat high
No services on site medium
Long drives between stops medium
Monsoon storms medium
Accessibility
- The plaza, parking and restrooms are on flat paved ground and reachable without steps.
- The granite slab is at ground level; the photo platform has a short ramp or step (check).
- The Dancing Horse Trail is uneven dirt and not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish out; bins are limited and the site has no running water.
- Buy crafts directly from Navajo vendors rather than imported imitations.
- Do not climb or remove rocks from sacred sites such as Shiprock.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Four Corners?
The Navajo Nation charges per person and per vehicle at the gate — roughly US$5 per person and about US$20 per car in 2026 (check). It is not a US national park, so America the Beautiful passes do not work here.
What are the best hikes in Four Corners?
There is only one short walk at the monument itself, the Dancing Horse Trail, which takes 30–60 minutes on flat, exposed ground. The real hiking is elsewhere in the region: Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly and Hovenweep are all within a few hours' drive.
When is the best time to visit Four Corners?
April, May, September and October give warm days, cool nights and thinner crowds. June to August is hot, with temperatures above 35 °C and monsoon storms; December to February is cold and many vendor stalls stay closed.
How long do you need at Four Corners?
Most visits last 10 minutes to 2 hours. Plan 30–60 minutes for the photo, a walk around the stalls and something to eat, then continue to your next stop.
Is Four Corners the same as the Four Corners region?
No. The monument is one small site on the Navajo Nation. The 'Four Corners region' covers a much larger area of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, including Mesa Verde, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
Can I camp or sleep at Four Corners?
No. Camping is not allowed at the monument and there are no hotels on site. Sleep in Farmington, Cortez, Blanding or Bluff.
Is there food and water at Four Corners?
Food stalls sell fry bread, Navajo burgers and tacos in season, plus cold drinks. There is no running water on site, so bring your own.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go