Right in the middle of several other locations in the Four Corners region with crazy looking rock formations (Chaco and Bisti) is the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, featuring bizarre and colorful badlands with everything from dinosaur bones to sandstone hoodoos. Attempt this 525-mile (845-kilometer) drive in a single day and you'll miss the point. Mountain bike from Durango to Moab for a week long bikepacking adventure through the San Juan's most majestic alpine peaks and all the way to the famous Slickrock, and take advantage of the San Juan Hut System. Gateway Canyons is a 3.5-hour drive away. Durango Hot Springs offers two therapeutic hot springs pools and more. Cortez CO 37.35N 108.57W (Elev. Here's a hint: check out the cover photo on their Facebook page. Fans of Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, and Saul Goodman should consider making the drive to Albuquerque and booking a 3 hour tour of the film location for Breaking Bad. 285 and 160. Get stop-by-stop directions for a driving tour of the Southwest's Four Corners from National Geographic's Ultimate Road Trips. The park is accessed by the looping, 17-mile Valley Drive. Native American-Owned Casinos in Colorado | Colorado.com If you visit, you'll learn all about the Old West through the historic buildings and 500,000 artifacts, preserved through the years. With the Treaty of Guadalupe y Hidalgo, the U.S. gained control of California, Nevada, Utah, as well as portions of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming. An Insider's Guide to the Four Corners All aboard! In 1848, Mexico ceded the Four Corners region to the United States after the end of the Mexican-American War. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is Colorados largest, oldest and most renowned cycling event. Surrounded by red rock monoliths and cut by the dramatic chasm of Oak Creek canyon, Sedona is a Mecca for a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking and four-wheel drive and air tours. 777 6th Street NW Please keep Dogs away from monuments and trails. $8.00 per person, per day, per location. Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them. . There are three campsites at this National Park, plenty of hiking trails, and some Instagramable overlooks. Therefore, from March through November, the time will be the same as Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. When you're there, be sure to take a picture with the famous flat-bed Ford. Guests will enjoy live music, spectacular views, and local craft brews. The 5 day festivity includes parades, big wheel races, joint rolling contests, a unique game of mini golf, and more. For local weather conditions, see www.weather.com. Believe it or not, Shiprock is actually the ruins of an ancient volcano that originally formed around 2,500 to 3,000 feet beneath the earth's surface. From The Four Corners. Sunrise Tour at Chimney Rock. Canyonlands is known for its dramatic desert landscapes and well-known sites like the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the Native American rock paintings in Horseshoe Canyon. It has plenty of slickrock as well as high elevation rocky terrain for more skilled bikers, and also includes a fun, flowing single track with a few exposed sections. Photo Chris Boyer/Kestrel Aerial Services. The whole family can enjoy riding a mine train, panning for gold, and more. When you imagine the American West, odds are you'll have an image of Monument Valley in your mind. This monument is named Bears Ears for a pair of buttes that rise to elevations of 9,000 feet. But you don't have to travel to Europe to try this adrenaline-pumping kind of adventure. The longest running event in New Mexico features parades, dances, rodeos, pageants, vendors, and more. The unique experience includes a first class train ride to the remote alpine location where Sky Rangers will guide you through the skies on an adventure you won't soon forget. True Western Roundup, formerly known as True West Rodeo, is an annual event held at La Plata County Fairgrounds that celebrates western heritage eight seconds at a time. Mesa Verde National Park is located in Southwestern Colorado and most famous for its ancient cliff dwellings, ancient structures built beneath overhanging cliffs that provided protection for the Ancestral Puebloans. Top 100 Things To Do In The Four Corners: CO, AZ, NM, UT - Durango.com No matter what time of year you visit the four corners, Purgatory has its doors open! Morehart Murphy Criterium - Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. From Michelin-starred menus to gilded historic sites, these restaurants are worth a visitwhether or not youre a tourist. The flags of the Navajo and Ute Nations fly side by side with the flags of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona at Four Corners. The monument also marks the boundary between two semi-autonomous Native American governments, the Navajo Nation, which . Visit this park in the spring or fall for the best weather and to avoid the summer heat. About 50 miles west of Durango, the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument contains a large number of archaeological sites representing Ancestral Puebloan and other Native American cultures. One of Colorado's 14ers, Mount Sneffels in the Uncompahgre National Forest is known as the Queen of the San Juan Mountains, and it can be seen across the Dallas Divide. The famous, steeply sloped Mittens buttes can be viewed from the road or from overlooks such as John Fords Point. Chokecherry Canyon is located in the southern end of the Glade within 3,800 acres designated for OHV use. This is also the site of the sun dagger petroglyph. The region is famous for its art and traditional products, and you will make . This site also serves as an important cultural boundary, as it separates the Navajo Nation from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Rather, you're encouraged to ditch your vehicle at the free parking lot known as Carhenge and get around town on foot. Only documented Service Dogs are allowed. Yet Telluride retains a far more easygoing atmosphere than resorts like Aspen. Canyons of the Ancients | Bureau of Land Management 8. Four Corners Region The Mahr Building doesn't exactly stand out amongst its rustic neighbors, but more than a hundred years ago (June 24, 1889) it was the site of Butch Cassidy's first robbery. Youll need at least two days to fully experience the park. Situated on the Colorado Plateau amid ancient volcanic mountains, statuesque buttes and sharp canyons, the Four Corners region where New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona meet is rich in cultural and geological wonders. East of McPhee Reservoir you can fish upstream all the way until the confluence of the West Fork of the Dolores River. That's where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. More than 4,000 archaeological sites have been preserved, including hundreds of homes and villages that date back to the 12th century. See our updated resources on what to know before you go. Hotel Luna Mystica calls its home in the Mesa of Taos one of the most mystical locations on the planet. It is one of the only nine places in the United States to receive recognition by the National Geographic Traveler as one of the 80 World Destinations for Travel in the 21st Century. 10 airport and train station restaurants that are actually good. Arriving by car or RV, the landmark is approximately 45 minutes from Cortez via U.S. Hwy. The Durango Bluegrass Meltdown is a festival that brings traditional bluegrass music to downtown Durango each spring. This hike features outstanding views, wildflower meadows, and ice blue colored water at the Lower Ice Lakes basin. The Vermilion Cliffs area is host to some spectacular hiking and backpacking trails. These Gettysburg maps reveal how Lee lost the fight, Who is Oppenheimer? The monument was established as recently as December 2016 by President Barack Obama. Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona is sometimes referred to as "the home of Pluto" because that's where the recently downgraded dwarf planet was initially discovered in the year 1930. Newspaper Rock is a Utah monument that features one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs. The original marker was placed in 1912, and these days a bronze disk embedded in granite identifies the only spot in the U.S. where you can stand in four states at once. Things to Do in the Four Corners Region | Colorado.com When the population increased, residents began moving into great masonry pueblos built within deep alcoves in the sheer-walled canyons. It's more of a looking park than a hiking or biking park, but the exquisite colors of the Painted Desert are captivating from the various viewpoints on the main park drive within a few miles of the Interstate. Keep in mind that some of the backcountry tours can be strenuous, so make sure you pick an option that matches your needs and abilities. Before you go, make sure to ask a local how to get there and to make sure you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Then check our map for your next stop. You'll get to see waterfalls, mines, mountain views, and wildlife all the while being educated by the knowledgable guides. Ska was started in 1995 by a couple of guys who weren't old enough to buy beer, so they decided they'd brew their own. It is a part of the Colorado Plateau, a geological formation responsible for much of the snow and rainfall over the central United States. One of the most unique spots in the Four Corners region, Tico Time River RV Resort is a 74 acre playground where the mountains meet the beach. You'll see stunning views, snowy meadows and Little Molas Lake. Four Corners Adventure. The Thunderbird Lodge in the gateway community of Chinle has rooms available year-round, with additional lodging nearby. Each summer, this musical event features orchestra, chamber, and conservatory performances of classical and world music. Just 12 blocks long and six blocks wide, Telluride is no place for driving. A Century of Impact is a 192-page hardbound treasure celebrating NPCAs first 100 years of protecting Americas national parks. Start at Studio & Gallery for an ecclectic range of art and even a live performance in their listening room. Admission is $5 per person for ages 7 and up. Call (970) 325-4003 to book. La Mesa RV Park is a short drive from the official Four Corners monument. All rights reserved. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. NGS is responsible for defining, maintaining, and providing public access to the . For general information about the San Juan Skyway, see www.byways.org/explore/byways/2101. Make sure to bring a hat and plenty of water as temperatures get high in the summer months. Ancestral Pueblo refers to both the ancient cultural tradition and the peoples once found in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest. Both of Colorado's Native American gaming areas are found near the history-rich Four Corners region of southwest Colorado. A century ago, this was silver and gold mining country; today, the folks who dig this area are largely skiers, hikers, and soft-adventurers. Being healthy isnt just about eating our vegetables and brushing our teeth its about more than that. Arches National Park, UT. They also have a museum that open to the public that displays historic American Indian art and artifacts. Each evening you'll have a cozy hut to spend the night, creekchairs, wood stoves, custom maps and GPS tracks, and turn by turn directions. You'll want to drive deeper into the park to see the petroglyphs etched into Newspaper Rock or the eponymous petrified logs of Crystal Forest. Hwy 264, Postal Loop Road, Bldg 36-A Window Rock, AZ. It covers 176,056 acres with more than 6,000 unique, preserved sites of ancient ruins. The Four Corners Monument is the only place where four states meet, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of southwest Colorado is a a guided, open-air jeep tour. For two consecutive nights in the Four Corners, the Blues Train takes over the railway. Detected by studying rapidly spinning dead stars, these giant ripples of spacetime likely came from merging supermassive black holesand they may reveal clues about the nature of the universe. Chaco Culture National Historical Park was first established as a national monument in 1907 to preserve and tell the story of Chaco Canyon, which continues to be an important cultural center for tribal communities today. You can even package the tour with rafting and other outdoor activities. Travel through mountain towns like Durango, Ouray, Telluride and Silverton for a taste of the mining era in the late 1800s. Heres what science recommends. Our Kasasa Checking Accounts reward you for banking with us. It's a great place for all ages and all interests to enjoy. Southwest region: Connecting the Utah state line near Hovenweep National Monument and the Four Corners (where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet at one point) through the city of Cortez, CO. 23. . The peak plays a significant role in Navajo culture and tradition. But be warned: just because there is a lift now, doesn't mean this run is for everybody. This festival features all kinds of family entertainment, food, craft booths, a beer garden, and of course, music. But the staggering views alone are worth driving two days for. The 360 degree vantage point atop the Chacoan Great House at Chimney Rock National Monument (northeast of the Four Corners) is an incredible location to watch the sun rise, but especially during the summer solstice and fall equinox. They are well known for serving up classic American food and experience with a twist: Everything is clean and better for you and the environment. That's the motto of this ecclectic Durango brewery. This is carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gas we're talking about. 9. Grandma's Frybread Shack is a neat little spot serving up snow cones, hot dogs, and Navajo tacos, and it's a great place to grab some grub after standing in all four states. The Mesa Verde Park entrance is 1.5 hour drive from Durango, Colorado in the Four Corners area. Located at the north end of Vallecito Lake, just 18 miles outside of Durango, the Weminuche Woodfire Grill is a beautifully renovated restaurant and bar with outstanding mountain views, spacious patios, quality food, and delicious libations. One of the natural wonders of the world, the 277 mile long chasm is bigger than the state of Rhode Island and can be seen from space. The Four-Corners Beekeepers Association . There is one hotel located in the park: Far View Lodge, which can book up quickly during the peak season, so plan ahead. Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association. This one is quite the drive from the Four Corners, but worth mentioning. It's a good ol' fashioned rodeo with bull riding, saddle and ranch broncs, bareback, breakaway, barrel racing and more. For generations, this complex culture brought people together from areas as distant as southern Mexico to buy and trade items, share knowledge, and celebrate important milestones and religious events. 2023 Colorado Tourism Office. While traveling here please plan accordingly, and make sure to have adequate outdoor attire and water, as there is no water or electricity at this particular tribal park location. Located northeast of the Four Corners near Silverton, Vallecito Lake is a great destination to include on your next trip to the Four Corners. KSUT Four Corners Public Radio plays NPR News and music discovery. To visit, make sure to get up a guided tour as that is the only way you can visit. For every four-star restaurant or boutique, there's a down-at-the-heels pizzeria or candy store. Treat all cultural sites within and outside of the park with respect. The Cottonwood Campground is managed by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department. Get around Durango in style with rental vehicles. `9dA7-n ){g Y u3q3KWWR ws=V6^fT > 8"U5 ` uF4 . TripAdvisor/Jodi H. Admission to the Monument is $20 per vehicle or $10 per individual. Take the road less traveled and rent a RZR or ATV to experience all of the San Juan mountains, the Mesa Verde National Park and beyond. The secret world of a gold miner is a unique experience that can only be seen through this guided tour. Obviously, don't swim in the pool. You can catch it any Wednesday night during the summer. The confrontation ended in the largest Native American surrender in history and led to the Long Walk of the Navajo, where nearly 8,000 people were taken captive and forced to relocate nearly 400 miles to the Bosque Redondo reservation near Ft. Sumner in modern-day New Mexico. The Alien Run trail system offers several different kinds of biking for various ranges of experience. 4 amazing states to visit in the U.S. Southwest. Built somewhere between 1610 and 1625, the 400 year old adobe building is the oldest Catholic church in the United States. The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. You can find the visitor center's hours and policies on the Navajo Nation's website. "We are grateful for todays action, which is the latest move by the Biden administration that prioritizes preserving, instead of industrializing, Indigenous lands," -- NPCA CEO Theresa Pierno, A photographer and Yellowstone staffer on the art of taking nighttime pictures.