Four Corners is the only place in the United States where you can touch land in four different states at once. This meeting point of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico is marked by a granite and brass monument displaying each of the intersecting states' flags. Four Corners National Monument, operated by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department, is a popular tourist destination. Additionally, within a few hours of the monument, each of the joining states offers nearby attractions to visitors.
Monument Valley lies to the west of Four Corners, along Arizona's border with Utah. According to the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department, the valley's otherworldly landscape is created by sandstone formations which range in height from 400 to 1,000 feet. The visitor's center has information about the park's scenic drive. The park also offers overnight camping for additional fees.
North of Four Corners, surrounded by rugged desert terrain, the city of Moab provides a striking natural setting along with the convenience of hotels and restaurants. Just five miles north of Moab, Arches National Park is the home of more than 2,000 sandstone arches, according to the National Park Service.
Alternatively, northwest of Four Corners, Lake Powell in Utah offers relief from the desert heat. Located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell activities include boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and camping. Along the way, drive through Natural Bridges National Monument. While much smaller than Arches National Park, its three natural sandstone arches are examples of the area's unusual geologic formations.
Northwest of Four Corners, 10 miles off US-160 near Cortez, Mesa Verde National Park is home to some of the most well-preserved Ancestral Pueblo Indian cliff dwellings, according to the National Park Service. Continue north along the US-160, less than an hour past Cortez, to explore Durango. Visit the restaurants and sites in the city's historic downtown or catch a ride on the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
South of Four Corners and east along the US-64, the small city of Farmington is a perfect base for sightseeing at Navajo Lake State Park and the Aztec Ruins National Monument. Whether you visit for a day or stay and camp, you will enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, boating and even scuba diving at Navajo Lake. Nearby, take a self-guided tour of ancient ruins at the Aztec Ruins National Monument.
