Four Corners

Alex Cabrero
2 days ago
3 min read

Man lying on a four-state marker in the sun. Visible text: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado. Stone benches in the background. — *Yup, that's me posing for the classic Four Corners photo*

(Four Corners Monument, Navajo Nation) There is only one place in the United States where you can be in four states all at once. And where plenty of people line up to lie on the ground and spread their limbs like a human compass for an iconic photo.

Open plaza with flagpoles and benches under a clear blue sky. Red canopies cover a distant building. Sparse greenery and gravel ground. — *The Four Corners plaza with all four state flags*

Four Corners Monument is where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado all come together. There is a spot on the ground telling where it is. And yes, I did the picture. Of course I did. One arm here. A leg there. A hand stretched out awkwardly just to make sure it’s clearly in another state. If you visit, I bet you will do it, too. It’s the kind of photo that proves you were here and proves humans will do just about anything if there’s a circle on the ground inviting them to.

Circular monument marks Four Corners; bronze plaques show state boundaries. Tourists in background, clear sky, stone and red-roofed building. — *The Four Corners intersection*

Four Corners is within the Navajo Nation, and when I visited, it cost $8 to enter the monument. There’s a sign that makes it very clear… everyone pays. Even Native Americans. It made me laugh. Not in a bad way, just in a “rules are rules” kind of way.

Cars queue at a toll booth with a satellite dish and stop sign. The booth is beige with red trim. Arm extends from a car window. Rocky hills in background. — *Entrance pay station*

Everyone pays

Now, let’s address the exactness of it. Yes, modern, high-precision GPS measurements suggest the true four-state intersection is slightly off from where this monument sits. Technology has advanced. Satellites position better than sticks, string, and landmarks.

Bronze marker on stone, showing the intersection of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Text includes U.S. Dept. of the Interior. — *Survey Marker*

But this is the spot now. This is where the plaque is. This is where the line forms. Honestly? It’s close enough, especially with all the “I was here” picture many people already have. I don’t think most of them will come back for the same photo to be in the “exact exact” spot.

Red granite block with the word "UTAH" engraved. Background shows a garden with gravel, green plants, and a blue sky. Text is partially visible. — *Each state has a memorial rock with an informational plaque on it*

One thing I loved was how willing people are to take your picture while you’re lying on the ground. There’s kind of an unofficial code that if someone takes your photo, you ask if you can return the favor.

People stand in line under red canopies at a plaza with a flagpole. One person kneels on a circular marker. Clear blue sky above. — *People lined up to pose for the iconic photo*

It’s also fun to just watch this whole routine. There’s a lot of laughter. Some people do the classic pose, while others bend backwards for the photo. It’s great seeing the creativity folks have. I saw one family with Dad in Utah, Mom in Arizona, Kid 1 in New Mexico, and Kid 2 in Colorado. Don’t call social services about parents leaving their kids in another state.

Stone plaque at Four Corners Monument with engraved text. Surrounding setting includes gravel, trees, and red structures under a blue sky. — *The Utah commemorative marker*

While watching people pose for their photos, I had a funny thought about my pose and state laws. It was legal for my right foot to place a sports bet, but certainly not my right hand. My left hand could legally buy marijuana, but my left foot might get sent to jail for it. Looking up some of the different state laws made this whole thing even funnier.

Man in blue shirt lies back on Four Corners Monument, arms outstretched. Bronze plaques and state lines visible on the ground. — *Thinking of state laws*

The monument itself sits inside a large open plaza, surrounded by vendor stalls selling jewelry, art, and crafts. There are even some food trucks just beyond the plaza selling all sorts of great eats.

Jewelry stall with necklaces and dreamcatchers on display. Beadwork in black, turquoise, and multicolor. Stone wall backdrop. — *Souvenir stand*

Food stand with signs "Navajo Frybread" and "Navajo Tacos". Banners say "OPEN" and "WELCOME". Desert background with rocks and blue sky. — *Navajo Fry Bread and Navajo Tacos. Yes, please.*

If you have never tried Navajo Fry Bread, please do yourself a favor and fix that. I love it, and there’s nothing like washing it down with a cold pink lemonade on a hot day.

Pink lemonade and a fried pastry with caramel and sugar on a black table. Desert landscape with a grid fence in the background. Bright day. — *I might go back just for this*

So, is it worth stopping? You probably won’t build an entire trip around Four Corners, but if you’re anywhere nearby… or even a little bit out of the way (it truly is in the middle, or corner, of nowhere), I say it’s worth it. Where else can you be in four states at once?

Sign for "World Famous Four Corners Monument, Art, Crafts & Food" in a desert landscape with mountains and blue sky. — *World Famous Four Corners sign showing you the way*

It’s not a long visit, maybe an hour including snacks, a little souvenir shopping, and depending on how long the line is to get your photo. But it is a memorable visit. Sometimes the joy of a place isn’t how long you stay, it’s more the story you take with you. Four Corners makes for a pretty good story.

Parking lot in a desert setting with cars, flags, and signs reading "Bus, Semi and RV Parking Only." Blue sky and rocky hills in background. — *The entrance to Four Corners*

LOCATION: 597 NM-597 Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514 Google Maps Link Four Corners website for latest information and pricing

Sign for Navajo Nation Four Corners Monument Tribal Parks USA. Admission $8/person, free for under 6. Desert landscape, clear sky. — *The Four Corners sign when you're past the entrance station*

Desert highway with Colorado road sign 41. Sparse vegetation and wide desert landscape under a clear blue sky with a few clouds. — *It truly is out there in the corner of nowhere*

Four Corners

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