Four Corners of Fun, Culture, and History

There is only one place in the country where four states meet. Long before European settlers drew up the borders we recognize today, this region was simply called “home” by the Ancestral Puebloan people and other tribes. The moniker most commonly used to describe the place where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet now is a little more on-the-nose: the Four Corners.

Located on the Colorado Plateau amidst ancient mountains, soaring buttes, and deep canyons, the Four Corners region is a one-of-a-kind destination for groups interested in exploring both deep-rooted culture and otherworldly geological formations. Remnants of ancient Indigenous history are sprawled across the area, and the descendants of those who built them still call the region home, honoring and maintaining generations of customs, practices, and beliefs.

Beyond its enduring history, the Four Corners region also is exceptionally well suited for group travel. Many of the area’s most iconic landscapes can be explored together, whether that means hiking scenic canyon trails, taking guided Jeep tours across desert mesas, or joining ranger-led programs that unpack the region’s geological and cultural significance. Parks and heritage sites throughout the region frequently offer group-friendly itineraries, allowing travelers to experience sweeping viewpoints, archaeological ruins, and storytelling sessions led by knowledgeable guides who bring the past to life for visitors of all ages.

If your group is visiting the Four Corners, you’ll want to start at the very heart of it all. The Four Corners Monument, managed by the Navajo Nation, marks the very point where all four states meet. Visitors to the site have the perfect photo opportunity as they experience the rare chance to stand in four states at once. Beyond the marker itself, though, the region offers no shortage of adventure groups of all interests will love.

ARIZONA

When visiting four states at once, it can be difficult to narrow down all the region has to offer. For groups kicking things off in Arizona, look no further than the Canyon de Chelly National Monument near Chinle. Sitting in the heart of Navajo Nation, Canyon de Chelly is the site where the Navajo made their last stand against the U.S. Army in 1864.

This site features sheer-walled canyons and Ancestral Puebloan dwellings nestled at the base of towering cliffs or hidden within shallow caves. More than 4,000 years of history are on display at the monument, which is renowned for its breathtaking views, two scenic drives, a self-guided hiking trail, a visitor center, and free entry.

Also in Arizona is the Navajo National Monument, canyonlands that were once occupied by the Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute, Zuni, and Navajo peoples. The National Park Service (NPS) offers ranger-led hikes of the park, featuring views of the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling. A visitor center also is available for groups looking to take a deeper dive into the history of the site.

About 70 miles outside Flagstaff, the dinosaur lovers of your group will want to take the time to visit the Moenave Dinosaur Tracks in Tuba City. Free of glass display cases, these preserved, Jurassic-era dinosaur footprints were formed 200 million years ago and have been verified by paleontologists. It’s important to note, though, that this is not a protected site. Visitors are asked to do their part to be considerate, avoid littering, and help preserve the site for visitors to continue exploring in the future.

For something a little less strenuous, consider stopping at the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Ganado. This is the oldest continuously operating trading post in the Southwest, open since 1878, and remains a thriving hub for Navajo art. Visitors to the site can walk through the original trading post, browse authentic works of art, and explore the historic homestead and barn.

COLORADO

Perhaps the most widely recognized attraction in the Four Corners region is Mesa Verde National Park, located near Cortez, Colorado. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Mesa Verde is famous for its iconic cliff dwellings, but the broader cultural landscape consists of nearly 5,000 different archaeological sites. There are 26 Indigenous tribes associated with Mesa Verde, spanning through at least 1,300 years of history.

Visitors to the park should make time to stop by the Far View Visitor Center and Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum to learn more about Indigenous communities that shaped the region. The NPS offers ranger-led tours of the park’s most popular sites, including the Cliff Palace and Balcony House.

Located to the east of Mesa Verde sits a community ideal for Western immersion and exploration. Durango is a one-stop shop for cowboy culture, mountain views, and other cultural sites. “We’re motorcoach-friendly, easy to navigate, and built for groups,” says Benjamin Brewer, destination sales specialist for Visit Durango. “It’s high-impact scenery with straightforward logistics.”

Some of the most popular group attractions in Durango include the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, perfect for sightseeing aboard a historic train; the Bar D Chuckwagon, which delivers a true Western dining experience; the newly renovated Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa; the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum; and Sky Ute Casino Resort, the perfect place to cap off a day of adventure.

Some hidden gems, according to Brewer, include scenic stops along Molas Pass, rodeos and other events at La Plata County Fairgrounds, and Jeep tours into the La Plata Mountains. And, of course, Durango’s historic downtown is ideal for leisurely exploration, shopping, and dining.

“Here, mountains, desert, culture, and adventure aren’t separate stops—they’re part of the same story,” says Brewer, later continuing: “Durango isn’t manufactured. It’s a living, working mountain town with deep roots and a strong sense of community. If you’re looking for a stop that feels authentic and runs smoothly, we’re ready.”

Visit Durango is available as a hands-on, complimentary planning partner for groups. The organization is available to help plan itineraries, make local introductions, coordinate lodging, and organize site visits. Visit Durango also provides welcome services and branded items to help groups feel taken care of from the very moment they arrive.

NEW MEXICO

During the New Mexico portion of your group’s Four Corners tour, the Chaco Culture National Historical Park is the place to start. Located about 150 miles north of Albuquerque, this UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves more than 15 Chacoan “great houses,” which were hubs of the Puebloan civilization between 850 and 1150 A.D.

Although the size of the park might be small, its offerings are vast. Pueblo Bonito is the largest great house at the park, once containing more than 800 rooms and 37 ceremonial chambers. An estimated 1,000 people were housed there at its peak. Also popular with visitors is Chetro Ketl, the second-largest great house, containing about 500 rooms. For an all-encompassing experience at the park, visitors can opt for a journey along the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive or hikes along the Pueblo Alto Loop and Peñasco Blanco Ruins Trail, where ancient carving and petroglyphs await.

Near Chaco Culture National Park is Aztec Ruins National Monument, home to some of the best-preserved Chacoan structures in the world. The park, featuring an on-site museum and expansive ruins groups can see with their own eyes, is a deeply sacred place for many Indigenous peoples across the region. As such, guests are asked to visit and tour the site with respect. Ranger programs and special tours are available.

Farther south sits De-Na-Zin, also known as the Bisti Badlands Wilderness Area. Here, the landscape is molded by eroded badlands, colorful hoodoos, and fossil-bearing formations that date back to the Late Cretaceous period. The area preserves 45,000 acres of wilderness that encompass geological and paleontological sites groups can hike through. Visitors are even welcome to explore off trail, so long as they remain respectful and practice safe exploration. There is a group picnic area and accessible parking, but it should be noted that cell phone reception is minimal to nonexistent.

UTAH

In the fourth and final state of the region, Bears Ears National Monument, located near Moab, Utah, is a 1.36 million-acre landscape of immense cultural, archaeological, and natural significance. Deriving its name from its famous twin “bears ears” buttes, the monument offers hiking, rock climbing, and sweeping views of ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and other remnants of Navajo, Ute, and Hopi culture.

More can’t-miss historic and natural sites in Utah include Natural Bridges National Monument, where three stone “bridges” have been shaped by water and time; Hovenweep National Monument, home to Ancestral Puebloan ruins and a landscape strewn with sage and juniper; and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where visitors will see towering sandstone rock formations that have been sculpted over 300 million years.

In the Four Corners region, the landscape and its stories are inseparable. Towering mesas, winding canyons, and ancient ruins reveal a place shaped by both natural forces and generations of Indigenous cultures whose traditions continue today. For group travelers, the region offers far more than the novelty of standing in four states at once—it provides a journey through living history, dramatic geology, and communities that keep the spirit of the Southwest alive.

By Madeline Fuerstenberg

Main Image: Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, Ganado, Arizona; Credit: National Park Service