The Four Corners Monument, a one-of-a-kind quadripoint, is a special landmark in our area. Living in Durango in Southwest Colorado places us in the heart of the Four Corners Region, where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico come together.
What is the Four Corners Monument?
The Four Corners Monument is where those four states meet at a single point. This is the only occurrence of this in the United States, making it a unique geographic landmark. This distinctive feature has given rise to the name “Four Corners Region”, which is commonly used to describe the surrounding area. Although there’s been some debate about the accuracy of the monument placement, the National Geodetic Survey and Bureau of Land Management have confirmed the monument marks the legally recognized intersection of the four states.
You can visit and touch all four states at once at the Four Corners Monument Navajo Tribal Park. The original 1875 sandstone marker was officially designated in 1912 and redone in 1992 into the commemorative monument seen today. Also on site visitors can enjoy Navajo vendors and watch demonstrations of traditional art and jewelry making, and sample local foods. It’s all located about a 45-minute drive southwest from Cortez, and an additional hour from Durango.
Navajo Tribal Park
Navajo Tribal Parks - Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation is based out of Window Rock, AZ and protects, preserves, and manages: Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Tseyi’ Dine’ Heritage Area (including Antelope Canyon), Four Corners Monument, and the Little Canyon River Gorge. Their programs offer guided tours, visitor centers, permits, and events.
Living so close to the Four Corners offers many benefits including convenient access to neighboring states, diverse cultures, and incredible outdoor recreation. Other historic and recognizable destinations in our region include Mesa Verde National Park, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Monument Valley, and countless hiking, biking, and archaeological sites to be explored. For more information about things to see and do in Southwest Colorado, please reach out to The Durango Team at The Wells Group.
