Not everyone might be willing to pay entrance fee just to see the 4 corners brass marker. But where else in the US can you send each member of your family into a different state?
Monument in the middle of nowhere
The Four Corners Monument marks the place where four of the US states – Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico – meet. The place is off the US highway 160, miles from any town.
A small brass plate marks the spot. The state’s name and seal then mark a larger paved area separated into four quadrants. Us photographers can rejoice and take pictures from elevated platforms, again symmetrically placed, one in each state. Finally, a square of stalls selling Navajo arts, crafts and souvenirs encloses the entire area.
Split family across 4 corners – is it worth it?
Looking at old pictures, the monument is growing and slowly being built up over the years. But still, there is not much else to do than take a picture or shop the same souvenirs you have likely seen in the stalls elsewhere along the road. The monument sits on Navajo Nation Reserve land, and we had a long think whether the experience will justify the $5 per person entrance fee.
As you can tell, we have decided that paying $20 on spot is cheaper than flying our entire family back from Australia, in case we would terribly regret not having a family picture from the Four Corners. Also, in the end we spent more than an hour walking around the little shops.
Selection of arts and crafts was wide – jewellery, pottery, arrows and dream catchers, sand art. Blanka bought presents for everyone back at home. Also kids found nice stone carved animals for themselves. Certainly, this was by far the most expensive family picture ever! But everyone enjoyed the visit, and we can be sure that independent Navajo artists will not starve to death. Guess that’s what being a tourist is all about…
Practical info
In case you have decided you also need a picture of your family spread accross four states, the official Navajo Nation parks website provides driving directions to the monument, as well as information on current entry fees.