As a self-proclaimed “road geek”, Four Corners monument has long been something that has interested me. I put it on my travel bucket list, and have had a couple of possible trips to get there. When I was in Denver a few years ago visiting family, I tossed out visiting the Four Corners monument as a possible day-trip, but was shut down. Many years ago while visiting my sister in Phoenix, I couldn’t even get anyone to drive 5 hours to New Mexico (to pick up a new state!), much less up to Four Corners monument 😛
Planning a visit to Four Corners monument
As part of my Utah county trip, I felt like it was certain that this was going to be my time. Since I “had to” visit all of southern Utah (“had to”, of course, in air quotes), I’d be right in the area.
Upon doing a bit of research, I had read that it was a bit of a let-down and not very exciting
Here is the official site of the Navajo Nation page about Four Corners monument – it’s basically just a circle in the ground in the middle of the desert.
But we knew that going in, right? What bummed me out was a $5 per person (cash only) fee to enter the park and take the obligatory pictures. (EDIT: This was several years ago and I think the fee is up to $8 now). I guess it’s no different than any other “park”, but I’m glad I figured that out before I left so I could make sure to bring cash. Normally I don’t carry much cash – I’m a miles and points credit card guy, right?!! 😀
Arriving at Four Corners monument
I came to Four Corners monument on US-160 East, after having stayed the night at the Rodeway Inn in Page, Arizona near Lake Powell.
(SEE ALSO: Is it ever a good idea to book a Rodeway Inn?)
(SEE ALSO: What’s the worst hotel you’ve ever stayed at?)
I got there at about 8:30 a.m., paid my $5, and parked the car
I assume due to the early time of day, there was just one other group there – what looked like a father and son. As I approached, they asked “Can you take our picture?” “Only if you take mine!” was the natural reply. After I took their picture, they took mine, and then once they left I took a few other pictures.
I spent about 15 minutes there and then was on the road to finish up visiting every county in Utah. So… circling back to the original question, I’d say if you’re in the area, or if you’re a map-geek like I am, then it’s probably worth the $8. Just don’t budget in any more than 15 minutes or so 🙂
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Four Corners Monument – there’s so much more to see and do in this region, I kinda think the monument is a big letdown, especially after the long drive to get there.
Yeah – that’s kind of how I feel too. Glad I went, no real plans to go back 🙂
To paraphrase the Japanese saying about climbing Mt. Fuji, seeing 4 Corners is something you must do once in your life but you are a fool if you see it twice.
LOL!
Although the same can be said about plenty of great travel destinations, if not most of them.
To my surprise, my kids loved Four Corners! We stopped there near the end of our road-schooling trip around the country last Fall. We visited 28 states on our trip, and we stopped at every state welcome sign for a picture (except Mass. and Rhode Island, where the welcome signs were on the highway above our heads). So they were thrilled to get a picture of four states at once! This was just a small detour on our way to Mesa Verde in Colorado, so it was worth it for us. That said, I don’t think I’d drive five hours out of my way for it!
This is a 15-hour round trip from Denver. Even for a road geek like me, it’s not really a day trip.
That’s what everyone kept telling me. 15 hours in the car in a day obviously doesn’t stop me though 😛
Wish I could provide more details, but all I know is this: when we took a docent led tour at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, the docent said that the real four corners location is close to but not the exact spot where everyone goes!
I’ve heard that, but I’ve also heard that’s an urban legend
Our GPS had the actual site on the “front porch” of one of the tourist traps. At the time I thought my GPS was wrong, but since then I’ve heard others say the same.
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/INFO/fourcorners.shtml
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705299160/Four-Corners-Monument-is-indeed-off-mark.html?pg=all
Monument Valley and Hovenweep Nat’l Monument are more worth your time in the area.
Monument Valley indeed much more interesting. And it’s probably not worth visiting more than once. And it’s probably not in the right place, since measurements may not be accurate.
We (as in the city/state/municipality/whatever) found that the entire state line in our region was in the wrong place not long ago. Apparently these things are just off sometimes. We’ll probably find that our measurements are not particularly accurate one day in the future. Life goes on, and means we’ll have to go elsewhere.
Still probably worth seeing. But if you are going to do this, you should also stop in near Lebanon Kansas (geographic center of the contiguous us) and Belle Fourche, South Dakota (geographic center of the entire US) while you’re at it. Since you like lists, it only makes sense. Working on a few of those myself, along with National Parks.
And don’t forget the outlying spots as well (farthest north, south, east, west, etc). Long list here, you can look those up when you have time. 😉
I’ve been to the center of the entire US in Belle Fourche!!! 🙂
That’s it. The area is all about Monument Valley, with a side detour to 4 Corners. We headed to the area from up north in Moab (Arches and Canyonlands National Park).
The 4 Corners area is the home of the Code Talkers. Go to the Burger King (really) in Kayenta to see the exhibit. You can google Code Talkers. It’s a fascinating story about how Native Americans helped win World War 2.
That was something on my bucket list too. We went in Jan of last year and the place was covered in snow and it was surrounded by a few vendors but most didn’t come as it was too cold. There was a guy that swept the snow off so you could see it but it was a bit of a let down …..may have been slightly better if warmer and you could see it all……..but still $3 per person would be more than enough.
I didn’t realize it’s actually in the wrong spot. I didn’t have a strong desire to visit unless I was already in the area. But if I am… I guess I’ll just skip it now.
I’m a total road trip gal — I’ve even written a few road trip books — and I think Four Corners is a total ripoff. There are many more coll and quirky roadside attractions that are free.
My daughter and I are planning a road trip to the four corners. I can’t wait..**)
Total ripoff – I’m all for supporting Native American business and art, but $8 per person to see a round plaque in the ground surrounded by a triangle of newly built brick vendor booths? Oh and did I mention the vault (outhouse) toilets? We paid $16 to fund the construction of what is basically a roadside vendor stand. Keep driving, many other much more interesting things to see in the West.
As an adult it was a waste of time and gas. However, the then 7 and 8 y.o. neices had a great time and when we called their parents at night they delighted in telling them that we left the kids in different states.
There are some cool places nearby like Monument Valley and Mesa Verde. Also others 5hat have been listed above. We enjoyed the Moqui dugway. My son, who only had a driving permit, drove down it. There were no guardrails and we saw a few cars that had plunged over the side. It’s a dirt road.
Four corners isn’t worth driving to but if you are very close by it’s an interesting, if expensive stop.
After visiting the monument drive another 165 kilometers south and visit the Canyon de CHELLY in Chinle ARIZONA.
2024: It may be helpful to note that the price is now updated to $8!
Thanks! I’ve updated the post
This article is nine years old. Why is it posted again?